entering into week 3 of cycling is all ok ?

[Thomsona]

Hey Guys and Gals,

i have just started week 3 of cycling and i thought i would post my test results so far,

14/2

Nitrate - 0 ppm
Ammonia - 0.10
Ph - 8.1
Hydrometer - 1.020 (perfectly in the middle green section)
Temp - 27 degrees

i still have some diatom coverage on the crushed coral but all the research i have looked up says this is a good sign the cycling is doing its job,

ill try and post a couple pictures but im pretty Noob to all of this

Cheers

Andrew Thomson

 

[Thomsona]

i should also add im still waiting for my 6 x 39w T5 HO light fitting to arrive as well as my Tunze 1800 ltr/ph wave make and Red Sea Prizim Protein Skimmer

 

[Thomsona]

 

[austinsdad]

Did your ammoinia ever reach anything higher than .10? I'd prefer it was at least 3x higher than that at its peak. If it wasn't, I'd add more base rock (cheaper that way) and add a grocery store shrimp to help the cycle.

 

[Thomsona]

It got to about double but not what I was expecting also noticed I have 2 small rocky looking crabs alive in there

This shrimp idea is it a must or do I give the tank another 2-3 weeks to cycle

 

[iDream]

you may want to remove those crabs, they might not be good. and the diatoms are a good sign of a cycle happening

 

[cmor1701d]

You can add industrial grade ammonia (no other ingredients) instead of a shrimp, but you do want to get the ammonia level over 1 (even higher would be better).

Not much higher life will survive the higher ammonia levels, but after the cycle, there's an amazing amount of life coming out of LR.

 

[austinsdad]

I'd be concerned that it went only as hish as .2 with that little bit of rock in there. if it were me, I'dd add more rock and cycle again. The cycle you've completed with that small amount of rock'd make me add only small fish very slowly and be concerned about more ammoina showing up.

 

[Thomsona]

I still plan to let it cycle for another 3 weeks

If I put this prawn in does it start it all again ??

I'm new at this and not sure weather to keep it going as is

 

[austinsdad]

Can you get any more right now? Base or LR.

 

[Thomsona]

Not wanting to really add more rock ,
I just added my wave maker today 1800 liters ph which is just a bit more then the 10x 160 liters

 

[austinsdad]

Rationale for not adding rock?

It will allow you to have more fish because of the natural filtration that occurs from the organisms/benefiicial bacteria living on it after you cycle.

 

[Thomsona]

Only looking at having 4-5 fish

 

[austinsdad]

I'd still do more rock. They feel better with places to swim thru and hide, etc.

 

[rush]

If your LR was already cured then your ammonia spike may not go as high as everyone is thinking. With my 120g it never even had to cycle as all my LR was cured.

 

[BayTib13]

+1 to rush.

All my LR had been in my lfs long enough that it had cured, and were actually growing coraline algae, and during my cycle..if you could call it that..my ammonia never went over .25

 

[Thomsona]

I'm looking to add coral later on so I think I prob have enough lr and base in there as once I add coral it will look cluttered , is it worth putting a bit more lr or do u think I'm on the right track

 

[austinsdad]

Check out pics of other reef tanks. Coral doesn't often come on large rock sufficient to create nicer aquascapes IMO. BUying coral and hoping to fill the tank more will mean smaller pieces of rock I believe. I'd still voter for more rock to create ledges and spaces where smaller rocks with new coral might fit.

Anyway, look at a few other tanks and you decide if you're happy with your current rock. Just my two cents.

 

[Hinds04]

I would put 3x the rock in there and scoot it toward the back of the tank.

 

[Thomsona]

If I add some base rock will it affect the cycle ?