Biocube Jr Smart Cycle question

[addicted_to_reefing]

How’s it going! I’m new tot he hobby and my first tank is a Coralife Biocube Jr smart. It says it’s a 14g tank but I can’t only seem to get 10g in it. I used Caribsea live sand with some caribsea aragonite, and 7lbs of caribsea live rock. I filled with imagitarium pacific saltwater, and after 2 weeks of the cycle I added Fritz Turbo 900 , algae barn microbacter, and ammonium chloride. I dosed the ammonia to 2ppm and it fell after 2 days to .25 ppm but my nitrites and nitrates are not coming down. The ugly phase has started I believe cause I’m getting algae on the glass and sand for about a week now so I bought 5 blue legged monsters. The cycle is on week 4-5 and I was wondering if there’s anything to do to get the rites and rates to drop? All testing done with API Saltwater master kit and Master reef kit. Thanks in advance for the advice!

 

[Tahoe61]

The sand and the rock are displacing the water. The more rock and sand the smaller the volume of water in closed container.
I would just wait longer to add any fish. You can also do smaller water changes and add small doses of Microbactor7. Have the LFS test your water.

 

[addicted_to_reefing]

The sand and the rock are displacing the water. The more rock and sand the smaller the volume of water in closed container.
I would just wait longer to add any fish. You can also do smaller water changes and add small doses of Microbactor7. Have the LFS test your water.

Unfortunately the only LFS is Petco. I believe they use the API tests that I’m using. I’m not rushing by no means. I want a beautiful starter tank!

 

[Tahoe61]

Unfortunately the only LFS is Petco. I believe they use the API tests that I’m using. I’m not rushing by no means. I want a beautiful starter tank!

Yeah me too.

I am just now 3 months in on a Nano and just seeing the beginnings of balance, it takes time.
The hardest part is waiting.
Unless the rock was wet and submerged I don't consider it as live rock, it says it is but it's not really contributing that much to speeding up the cycle.
Just keep on feeding the hermits sparingly.
Don't worry about the nitrites right now. You want to see the Ammonia come all the way down and the nitrates climb. API can give a false Ammonia level.
What is the Nitrate level?

 

[addicted_to_reefing]

Yeah me too.

I am just now 3 months in on a Nano and just seeing the beginnings of balance, it takes time.
The hardest part is waiting.
Unless the rock was wet and submerged I don't consider it as live rock, it says it is but it's not really contributing that much to speeding up the cycle.
Just keep on feeding the hermits sparingly.
Don't worry about the nitrites right now. You want to see the Ammonia come all the way down and the nitrates climb. API can give a false Ammonia level.
What is the Nitrate level?

Nitrates are at 40ppm, nitrites are at 3-5ppm and the ammonia is at .25 ppm.

 

[Tahoe61]

I think the Ammonia level is just a test error. It's very common for API to show .25.
Wait another week and do a significant water change and you should be good.
As they say in this hobby, nothing good happens fast.
You're off to a good start though.

 

[addicted_to_reefing]

I think the Ammonia level is just a test error. It's very common for API to show .25.
Wait another week and do a significant water change and you should be good.
As they say in this hobby, nothing good happens fast.
You're off to a good start though.

Yes I agree nothing happens fast lol. I sit. Want a tank like everyone else has I want something different but I know with a small one that’s gonna be tough to do

 

[addicted_to_reefing]

Yes I agree nothing happens fast lol. I sit. Want a tank like everyone else has I want something different but I know with a small one that’s gonna be tough to do

This is the results for tonight.

 

[Novicekeeper]

Hello and progress my tank is at a similar stage to yours with numbers. Thanks

 

[addicted_to_reefing]

Hello and progress my tank is at a similar stage to yours with numbers. Thanks

My tank cycled.. it is eating 2ppm ammonia in 24 hrs and my rites are at 0 and rates are at barely showing. Calcium is 440. My RBTA is doing Great, my clown and Gold Damsel are doing great as well as my cleaner shrimp and two spot signal goby. Zia’s are growing like weeds as well with reef roids! All is doing well!