Newbie Question re:cycling

[brineyone]

Ok, I got a 15 gallon tank for Christmas. I read, read, read until the middle of Jan. Then I decided to start cycling. I added a dead shrimp and let it sit in the tank until it smelled. I only got 0.5ppm Ammonia reading. I took the shrimp goo out of the tank on husband's urging. Bought clear store ammonia. Tried adding the 5 drops per 10 gallons of water. Needed way more and only got ammonia reading to go up to 2 ppm for three consecutive days. Added no ammonia today. Readings:

Ammonia 0.5
Nitrites 2
Nitrates 80
salinity 1.022
temp 80

Question: Could my tank be mid-cycle? Should I still be adding ammonia or just waiting and checking the ammonia, and nitrites until they fall to zero. I have 20 lbs of live sand in there, but think I killed the live part when I mixed the water/salt in the aquarium. (newbie mistake, but at least I don't have any fish yet...) Any help would be appreciated!!

 

[melosu58]

I personally would not add anymore ammonia. If you got it up to 2 ppm then that high enough. I would say your cycle does look like it`s in full stride but just wait till Ammonia and nitrites are at 0 and then do about a 40% PWC give or take wait a few days and then test again. You never did mention but is there any LR in the tank. BTW where are my manners. Welcome to AA

 

[brineyone]

No I don't have any LR in the tank. Just sand and water...
I checked my pH and it is too high- 8.8. Will get some pH down today and possibly some rock.

After reading the hints page on cycling I turned my temp up to 87.
I will adjust the pH and keep checking.

It seems like I add ammonia and don't see a huge rise in ammonia levels...

My husband is sure this is a prelude to many dead fish, but I am just learning....

 

[austinsdad]

What's the plan for any rock? Might be a good time to add it to prevent another cycle if you add un-cured rock later.

 

[melosu58]

Dont worry about PH. It will bounce all around during the cycle. Once you `ve done your PWC after the cycle is over then worry about the PH. As far as your ammonia goes it went up to 2 ppm right? Looks like it went up to me.

 

[brineyone]

More Newbie Questions re:live rock

This may seem like an idiot question, but live rock is just rock that has been colonized with good bacteria, correct? The reason I ask is that my husband bought me a really neat looking castle structure for my 15 gallon SW tank. It really does look cool, but I am afraid that I don't have much room left in the tank for any more rock. It is only 15 gallons and I did envision getting fish at some point. I don't think that I want any coral in my tank- just starting out and hopefully can keep fish living. Not ready to tackle anything that has to have perfect conditions...

My question is: Will anything colonize that thing? Or should I really ditch it and get live rock?

I have attempted to include pictures of my set-up. Hopefully they will work!!

 

[brineyone]

Live rock - uh yeah

I posted a new thread about the live rock question. I have a castle-like structure thing. I was hoping that it would colonize into live rock...???

 

[melosu58]

Are you asking if the nitrifying bacteria will colonize on your oranment just like it would LR? The answer is yes it will if that`s what you are asking.

 

[melosu58]

Merged to your other thread. Lets keep them together so folks arent answering the same question twice.

 

[brineyone]

Thanks, that was my question. I'm not planning on adding fish until end of March, so I have plenty of time to nurture nitrofication bacteria...

 

[austinsdad]

The castle won't look as pretty after a while though IMO.

 

[brineyone]

You mean b/c it will be covered in sea algae or that the live rock would be prettier in the tank in the long run?

 

[austinsdad]

Yep. it'll be covered with coraline algea. Soft algeas too. It'll turn different colors. I think the live rock will make you happier in the lung run and look more like a natural fish habitat.