Cycle question

[Saumann7]

i set up a nuvo 10 about 2 weeks ago, I now have lots of brown algae everywhere, I tested the nitrate nitrite and ammonia and all are saying 0. Does this mean I'm done my cycle? Or has it yet to start? I'm unfamiliar with cycling because on my last tank I used bio spira and didn't have a cycle or a noticeable one that is.

 

[Brew12]

i set up a nuvo 10 about 2 weeks ago, I now have lots of brown algae everywhere, I tested the nitrate nitrite and ammonia and all are saying 0. Does this mean I'm done my cycle? Or has it yet to start? I'm unfamiliar with cycling because on my last tank I used bio spira and didn't have a cycle or a noticeable one that is.

If your nitrate is 0ppm it is possible your cycle hasn't started. The presence of algae can mask this though so its hard to say for sure. What did you use as an ammonia source for your cycle?

 

[Saumann7]

If your nitrate is 0ppm it is possible your cycle hasn't started. The presence of algae can mask this though so its hard to say for sure. What did you use as an ammonia source for your cycle?

I used a few freeze dried shrimp that I had on hand as fish food, I was originally going to go with a shrimp from the grocery store but then I read that that would work as well, maybe it didn't work as I thought it would?

 

[Brew12]

I used a few freeze dried shrimp that I had on hand as fish food, I was originally going to go with a shrimp from the grocery store but then I read that that would work as well, maybe it didn't work as I thought it would?

Anything that will rot can work as an ammonia source. Did you add enough that it would have been close to the same size as a store bought shrimp?

 

[Saumann7]

Anything that will rot can work as an ammonia source. Did you add enough that it would have been close to the same size as a store bought shrimp?

I was think that could be the problem, I added like 4 but they are fairly small so should I add more? Also since this algae doesn't seem to be the result of cycling will it be something I now have to battle in the tank or will it go away itself?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Did you ever see ammonia rise?

 

[Saumann7]

Did you ever see ammonia rise?

I didn't test it that much in the last couple weeks to be honest so I couldn't be 100% sure but I tested today and everything was at 0 and I have a wicked case of brown algae so I assumed it was a result of cycling but with those test results I'm not too sure. The amount of algae just doesn't make sense to me though, if there isn't any nutrients from a cycle then how would it be supported?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What sort of rock? Live rock can suffer substantial die off.

 

[Saumann7]

What sort of rock? Live rock can suffer substantial die off.

Dry rock and dry sand

 

[jpcrash1]

Two weeks Is a short cycle. I would bring your ammonia up with a shrimp and see how long it takes for ammonia to go away. I don't think your cycle has started.

 

[jpcrash1]

It took me two months for mine with dry rock and sand.

 

[Saumann7]

It took me two months for mine with dry rock and sand.

yeah that's why it seemed pretty odd to me

 

[Saumann7]

Two weeks Is a short cycle. I would bring your ammonia up with a shrimp and see how long it takes for ammonia to go away. I don't think your cycle has started.

So should I try to get rid of the algae? Any advice for that, it's on everything with a thick layer

 

[Seanb1]

Buy a bottle of ammonia made specifically for cycling tanks, costs 3 bucks and you don't have to wait for it to build up.
After the cycle has started you can add more and build the bacteria colonies fast.

 

[Brew12]

You are in a fairly unusual situation with having so much algae in a freshly cycled tank. Algae will process ammonia directly, so if you want to add a small fish or two, I think you are safe. Even if your bacteria aren't where you want them the algae should cover for you until the bacteria catch up. The other option would be to add a CuC and keep ghost feeding for another week or two.

 

[Saumann7]

Buy a bottle of ammonia made specifically for cycling tanks, costs 3 bucks and you don't have to wait for it to build up.
After the cycle has started you can add more and build the bacteria colonies fast.

Something like this?

 

[Saumann7]

You are in a fairly unusual situation with having so much algae in a freshly cycled tank. Algae will process ammonia directly, so if you want to add a small fish or two, I think you are safe. Even if your bacteria aren't where you want them the algae should cover for you until the bacteria catch up. The other option would be to add a CuC and keep ghost feeding for another week or two.

Would I add a full CUC or just a few snails or hermits?

 

[Brew12]

Would I add a full CUC or just a few snails or hermits?

If you have the food for them, you can add a full CuC.

And the Dr Tims ammonia chloride is great. If you do decide to use it, do it before adding a CuC (just in case that wasn't obvious).

 

[Saumann7]

If you have the food for them, you can add a full CuC.

And the Dr Tims ammonia chloride is great. If you do decide to use it, do it before adding a CuC (just in case that wasn't obvious).

So if I go the ammonia route would that eventually clear the algae I have now? I'm just concerned that now that it's there it will become an ongoing problem

 

[Saumann7]

You are in a fairly unusual situation with having so much algae in a freshly cycled tank. Algae will process ammonia directly, so if you want to add a small fish or two, I think you are safe. Even if your bacteria aren't where you want them the algae should cover for you until the bacteria catch up. The other option would be to add a CuC and keep ghost feeding for another week or two.

I got curious and tested for phosphates and sure enough 2.0ppm, I'm thinking my dry rock might be leaching them?