Question about cycling

missc4

missc4

Fishy love
Mar 14, 2007
350
0
0
VA
The tank has been up a week.30 gallon bow front.I started off with live sand and live rock.Added three damsels .I have tested every other day since I put the tank up.I missed one days testing because I was out of state for the day..Anyhow these have been my readings
Amon- 0
Ph-8.3
Nitrite -.25-.50
nitrate -5.0-10

Amon 0
ph-8.3
Nitrite .50-.1.0
Nitrate 10

and today
Amon-0
Ph was 8.0 added buffer
Nitrite .25
Nitrate 0

Tell me if I am wrong here.but I read that when the nitrates go up and then hit 0 the tank is cycled??Is that wrong or right? I am kinda confused because I didn't see an ammonia spike..
I know the tank is far from ready for other fish but I am just wondering if I had the ammonia spike and didn't see it..
 
What kind of test kit are you using? Drops, strips, etc. Some kits aren't really reliable.

Was your live rock cured or uncured?

If your tank has only been up for a week, you are not done cycling, no matter what the ITES and ATES are.

Do you plan on doing any water changes during your cycle? It is very hard/stressful on the fish to have them in there before the tank is ready for them. Water changes aren't usually recommended during a cycle, but for the sake of your fish, I would consider it. Doing water changes could cause the cycle to take a little longer also, but worth it for your fishes sake.

Just be patient. I wouldn't plan on adding any more fish in your tank for a month or so. You still have a number of "new tank" ailments to go through, like algae blooms. I wouldn't compromise your system anymore by adding fish to quickly.

Good luck!
 
Thank you for your quick response..I am using API master saltwater test kit..It is the drops.
I used live sand and cured live rock that had algae growing on it..That hasn't died off..
I know the tank hasn't not fully cycled but what I was curious about was has it started a cycle by what my tests are showing.
I didn't plan on doing a water change as the tests look good and my fish are doing great..They are little pigs..lol
I don't plan to add any fish for quite awhile.and i mean quite awhile..I am just excited cause the numbers are down and I feel like I am on the right track and doing it all right..I wont to do this slow and right.After all is going great I wont to add corals but do not wont to jump on that since they do cost so much.
 
It sounds like you are on the right track by not using test strips and being patient!

Since your live rock was cured you may not see a huge spike. I am suprised that you haven't seen any raise in ammon. but you still may. Using cured live rock will really help out with that.

Do you have any clean up crew in there yet?
 
I haven't got a clean up crew yet..I was told it was to soon for one.But I don't know..I was thinking with the fish food and waste I would need one..So any advice there??
I was surprised about the ammonia spike..I watched for that more than anything else.I called the store that helped me do the tanka nd she said that I could have had the spike on the day that I didn't test,or I had the spike and it just wasn't very noticeable on the test.
She said that the live sand and rock really is what helped me out with all that.
I am sooo happy thats o far I am having success.I live in small town USA and we have no saltwater fish stores here,so I have to drive an hour to buy what I need.And there is only two stores in that area that deal in saltwater.The place I deal with is a small local owned store and they have been so great at helping me.
I am gonna continue to test and watch and wait..I am just sooo happy because everyone made this sound like it was almost impossible to do this and I have found in my short time.that it is possible..
 
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2-4.jpg
 
Thought I would add two pics of the tank..On the first you can see the little red dots of what I was talking about.
 
Hi and welcome to AC! Clean-up crew for a 30 would require about 6 hermits and 6 turbo snails. Add 3 to 4 of each at first and see how they manage your waste and especially algae. With turbos you dont want to add too much as your tank needs to provide algae naturally as their staple diet. Good luck
Remember that lots of LR is a big bonus.:)
 
Looking good!

Saltwater isn't is difficult as some people might think. I think the most important things are lots of patience and lots of research.
 
I would agree with that.I researched for months and months prior to attempting this..And even though I reallt felt like I could do it,after I bought all the suppiles and was on my way home it is..I was scared to death..lol.
I have no patience,,but I have a 55 gallon freshwater that needs my attention and since my tests were good on that saltwater I will be focusing in on the 55..I was gonna do the 55 in salt but I have a needle nose gar and the 28 was just to small for him,so I used the 55 for him.He is my baby sooo..lol
I will try to get the clean up crew that you suggested this weekend and get them in there,and sit back and watch.I thank you all so much.If feels good to get some reassurance that I am on the right track..
Also I will add more live rock as I go along.
 
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