My first cycle

Jintz

About time !!!! Well it took me a while because I got the wrong live sand so I had to get it out and make water again. Finally got the new sand in and I finished aquascaping today. The qt tank was set up a few days ago and I didnt test water because I was busy with the main display. I have 3 small chinks of LR (all 3 about the size of a fist) in the qt and just about all of my LR in the main display I bought from my LFS for $4.50 a lb uncured.
Will the curing LR jumpstart my cycle? Will it jumpstart in the qt as well even though there are 3 small pieces? How long does a cycle typically last? I was told 3 weeks. Is algae a sign of a completed cycle?

chadf

The rock will start a cycle in both tanks. A cycle can take from a week to 6 weeks. You need to keep track of your ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates to monitor your cycle. Algae is not a good reference point.

Jintz

I havent been keeping track because of my live sand incident. So when I took out my rock I put them in 2 very large plastic storage bins and put in powerheads. I then took out all of the sand and the next day I got the sand I needed. Took me all day and to put back in the sand and make new water. Today I aquascaped. I'm thinking there had to be a initial ammonia spike because the water started to smell. I could see stuff falling off...dead sponges and whatnot. All of the rock is now in clean saltwater so Im going to test tomorrow and see what I get. I will post my readings when I do.

501scionxb

uncured is better in the long run as far as getting bacteria established. it will take a lil longer but its better i think. i had a mix of both when i started my nano up. mine cycled in 8 days but thats cause i had 15 pounds but usually if u have alot of cured mixed with uncured ur prolly goin to have a medium speedy cycle but check your params. thats key

Jintz

Here are my readings:
DT
AM: 0 NI: 0.2 NA 5 PH: 8.1

QT
AM:0 NI: 0 NA: 1 PH: 8.0

501scionxb

lookin good? when was your last water change?

jglas26

I think it IS true about the "cycle speed". People who pile up the live sand and live rock can cycle in no time at all. ( 1lb+ LR per gallon ) A moderate stocking can take a little longer.

I have a 35g. I initially stocked with 10lbs LR and 40lbs LS. it took me about 3-4 weeks.

As far as the cycle goes....If you're certain that you had an ammonia spike before your Nitrites started to develop then you're definitely on the right track!

But be warned, Nitrites can be just as toxic as Ammonia - so - you want to see a complete drop to 0 in both Amonia and Nitrite before introducing any live stock.

Water changes; I'm defnitely not advocating bad maintenence policy BUT I cycled just like you ( with LR not a damsel or the like ) so I didn't really see a big concern on changing water at all until the cycle WAS COMPLETE. Before I added my first fish is when I did my first water change.

Your Ph isn't bad and "could" be a little higher. Moniter it a little more closely when you're getting ready to introduce your live stock. I use ( as needed ) Kent Marine ph buffer. I think I bought a bottle 4 months ago for $10?

Nereaga

Might I add that I would remove all the live rock from the QT. When quarantining fish, you will be adding chemicals that will destroy your bacterial colonies. It is NOT neccessary to use LR, instead buy a sponge filter for your bacteria needs. Set it up in your display to accumulate bacteria and then when you need it you can tranfer it to the QT to help with spikes due to waste. Also water changes will help stabilize and eleviate high levels of waste aswell. A combination of both would be best!

I would also wait on water changes until your done the Nitrogen Cycle.

HTH, Brad

Jintz

501
I havent water changed yet...well I sorta did. I had the rock in garbage can bins with new water but I didnt use that water to put back into the DT. I made about 30% new water for the DT. I saved over 70% of the old water which was in fact new water as well (few days old maybe).

jglas26
Is buffer the only thing that brings uo PH or is there a more natural way? I would think that my ph would be perfect with new water but I guess the curing liverock threw it off.

Nereaga
The live rock is only there for the cycle. Right now I have a marineland bio filter. It is rated for 50 g but my tank is a 20 g. It has a pad filter and bio wheel. I couldnt find a sponge filter.

Nereaga

You would need something like this:

http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/214425/product.web

Along with some air line tubing and small air pump. Read the instructions on that page, there is a tab.

HTH,

Brad