Cycle started? - Aquarium Advice

degbowl · 02-27-2006, 08:01 PM

I am into day 3 of my new 30 gal tank. I put in 30lbs base rock and 15lbs LR, 30lbs Aragonite sand. I have not added anything else. Here is my test results for today.
salinity 1.021
PH 8.3
Nitrate 20
Nitrite .3
NH3 .3

I think the LR started the cycle. Will it be enough or will I still have to add something else to start cycle?

Reese · 02-27-2006, 09:26 PM

It couldn't hurt to throw a shrimp in there. Also, you don't need to waste time and tests testing nitrates right now. Until your tank is nitrite free it's going to give you false readings for nitrates...

degbowl · 02-28-2006, 02:02 AM

Thanks for the advice. I will stop testing nitrates for now.

Florida8 · 02-28-2006, 02:08 AM

I just started my 29 yesterday... I'm going to throw a shrimp in tomorrow as I wait for my LR I think, hoping to get a head start, if that is possible with out my LR in there...... I say throw a small cocktail shrimp in there to make sure, that way you KNOW you have enough to get your cycle going and it won't drag on and on and on.....

What are you planning on stocking in your 30g? I am curious... I can't seem to make up my mind. I'm thinking 2 percs, a pearly headed jawfish, a clown goby, a cleaner shrimp.... clean up crew and 40 lbs LR

That's today anyhow.

degbowl · 02-28-2006, 02:18 AM

2 percs, a royal gramma, a yellow watchman goby, clean up crew. I bought 30 lbs base rock from hirocks.com and bought 15 lbs LR from LFS. I will probably buy one other small fish. I just don't know what. What are you getting for a clean up crew? It looks like the best deals are online.

degbowl · 02-28-2006, 06:59 PM

How much should I test? Is every other day ok? I know the cycle won't be done this quick. I don't see a reason to test every day.

vsnsofadrgn · 02-28-2006, 08:23 PM

I tested once a week until it was near the end ( about wk 6), then i couldnt help bu test 2-3 times a week until it was done, lol.

degbowl · 03-01-2006, 07:38 PM

Day 5
SG 1.021
ph 8.3
Nitrite .3
nh3 .6

Starting to see featherdusters in LR.

degbowl · 03-03-2006, 10:32 PM

day 7
SG 1.022
ph 8.5
Nitrite .3
nh3 .3

degbowl · 03-05-2006, 11:21 PM

day 9
SG 1.024
ph 8.5
Nitrite .3
nh3 .6

I am getting plenty of algae growth on rocks and sand bed. I guess that is a good sign.

02-27-2006, 08:01 PM	#1
degbowl Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 331	Cycle started? I am into day 3 of my new 30 gal tank. I put in 30lbs base rock and 15lbs LR, 30lbs Aragonite sand. I have not added anything else. Here is my test results for today. salinity 1.021 PH 8.3 Nitrate 20 Nitrite .3 NH3 .3 I think the LR started the cycle. Will it be enough or will I still have to add something else to start cycle?

02-28-2006, 02:08 AM	#4
Florida8 Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: St. Augustine/Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 582 Images: 3	I just started my 29 yesterday... I'm going to throw a shrimp in tomorrow as I wait for my LR I think, hoping to get a head start, if that is possible with out my LR in there...... I say throw a small cocktail shrimp in there to make sure, that way you KNOW you have enough to get your cycle going and it won't drag on and on and on..... What are you planning on stocking in your 30g? I am curious... I can't seem to make up my mind. I'm thinking 2 percs, a pearly headed jawfish, a clown goby, a cleaner shrimp.... clean up crew and 40 lbs LR That's today anyhow. __________________ Kimberly in NE Florida ******* Cycle complete Early 2-06 29g reef 2 ph and 1 HOB =460 gph 130watt Orbit lighting system 50+lbs lr 1 blue green chromis, domino, blue devil 6 turbo snails 1 mantis GRRRR!

02-28-2006, 08:23 PM	#7
vsnsofadrgn Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 975 Images: 9	I tested once a week until it was near the end ( about wk 6), then i couldnt help bu test 2-3 times a week until it was done, lol. __________________ visions of a dragon hope dies last

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
cycle started erarly	choupic	Saltwater & Reef - Getting Started	28	05-21-2006 04:38 PM
Cycle Started... Remove shrimp?	mharrison86	Saltwater & Reef - Getting Started	1	03-18-2006 01:05 PM
Started The Fishless Cycle ... What next?	qhrisnd	Saltwater & Reef - Getting Started	16	09-15-2005 03:22 PM
New Fish, Started Cycle (pics)	zacdl	Saltwater & Reef - Getting Started	2	03-25-2005 06:18 PM
Started my fishless cycle, now what??	critter905	Freshwater & Brackish - Getting Started	3	01-26-2005 11:28 PM

02-27-2006, 09:26 PM	#2
Reese Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 180	It couldn't hurt to throw a shrimp in there. Also, you don't need to waste time and tests testing nitrates right now. Until your tank is nitrite free it's going to give you false readings for nitrates...

02-28-2006, 02:02 AM	#3
degbowl Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 331	Thanks for the advice. I will stop testing nitrates for now.

02-28-2006, 02:18 AM	#5
degbowl Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 331	2 percs, a royal gramma, a yellow watchman goby, clean up crew. I bought 30 lbs base rock from hirocks.com and bought 15 lbs LR from LFS. I will probably buy one other small fish. I just don't know what. What are you getting for a clean up crew? It looks like the best deals are online.

02-28-2006, 06:59 PM	#6
degbowl Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 331	How much should I test? Is every other day ok? I know the cycle won't be done this quick. I don't see a reason to test every day.

03-01-2006, 07:38 PM	#8
degbowl Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 331	Day 5 SG 1.021 ph 8.3 Nitrite .3 nh3 .6 Starting to see featherdusters in LR.

03-03-2006, 10:32 PM	#9
degbowl Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 331	day 7 SG 1.022 ph 8.5 Nitrite .3 nh3 .3

03-05-2006, 11:21 PM	#10
degbowl Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 331	day 9 SG 1.024 ph 8.5 Nitrite .3 nh3 .6 I am getting plenty of algae growth on rocks and sand bed. I guess that is a good sign.