Cycling an Aquarium

[CaptainsReef]

You need to add a good size CuC so that the algae will be eaten. Without that, the algae will continue to grow. You may also benefit from vacuuming out the sand. Your tank is well beyond the cycling/startup phase at this point. You are just a little behind where most people would be when it comes to stocking it.
Nice looking reef tanks take a lot of work. Your CuC can help, but they do require regular maintenance. I vacuum my sand every other week and have a large CuC. John at reefcleaners.org has a very nice selection at a reasonable price. If you reach out he will help you custom create a CuC if you would like his recommendations based on the pictures of your tank. Great guy to work with.

Great! Thank you so much for all the help. I have just one more question lol. Is there a good vacuum you recommend?

 

[Brew12]

Great! Thank you so much for all the help. I have just one more question lol. Is there a good vacuum you recommend?

Glad to help.
I use this one in the large size.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/pro-clean-gravel-wash-with-squeeze-starter-python.html

 

[TinCanHero]

Hey @Brew12 Thanks for the guide! Since you seem to be the guru on cycling i was wondering if you could shed some light on my issue.
Im day 22 into my cycle and nothing has moved. Ammona is still at 4~ppm, Nitrites 0 and Nitrates are still standard salt level and ive added a bottle of 'one and only' and seachems stablity? My build diary is in my sig if you would like more info.
Im happy to wait, im just curious at this point as is my LFS.
Kind regards!

 

[Brew12]

Hey @Brew12 Thanks for the guide! Since you seem to be the guru on cycling i was wondering if you could shed some light on my issue.
Im day 22 into my cycle and nothing has moved. Ammona is still at 4~ppm, Nitrites 0 and Nitrates are still standard salt level and ive added a bottle of 'one and only' and seachems stablity? My build diary is in my sig if you would like more info.
Im happy to wait, im just curious at this point as is my LFS.
Kind regards!

Nah, not a guru. I've just studied it a bit and tried to gather the knowledge everyone else had acquired in one place. I responded in your build thread. Having a detailed build thread like yours really helps when it comes to helping with issues.

 

[Sunny Goold]

I started curing dead rock without RO - oops - it’s been in the tank with saltwater for a week.

So is this a problem? Should I just take the water out and start again with RODI saltwater or are water changes enough or can I have bigger issues?

Thanks so much.

Sorry I did have searched and I couldn’t find an answer to this question. Maybe I am the first idiot to do this [emoji23]

 

[Brew12]

I started curing dead rock without RO - oops - it’s been in the tank with saltwater for a week.

So is this a problem? Should I just take the water out and start again with RODI saltwater or are water changes enough or can I have bigger issues?

Thanks so much.

Sorry I did have searched and I couldn’t find an answer to this question. Maybe I am the first idiot to do this [emoji23]

Nah, if you are just curing it shouldn't cause a problem. I'd let it go.

 

[Sunny Goold]

Nah, if you are just curing it shouldn't cause a problem. I'd let it go.

Wow - thanks Brew! Legend - That makes me feel much better. Think I will change out some of the water though just in case [emoji119]

 

[TinCanHero]

Nah, not a guru. I've just studied it a bit and tried to gather the knowledge everyone else had acquired in one place. I responded in your build thread. Having a detailed build thread like yours really helps when it comes to helping with issues.

Thank you so much! ive provided some extra details there for yourself too
This build thread has helped me also, remembering dates and what you did and when can be a challenge, its certainly helped! And its great to share with the community!

you've done a great job with this thread, its certainly helping people out! Thank you!

Kind regards, TinCanHero.

 

[Jack684523]

Whatsup guys 4 weeks into my cycle really high nitrites and nitrates I did 1 50 percent water change and I’d say about 2 25 percent water changes I added half a cap full of sea chem prime in my 10 gallon tank. The nitrites won’t go down for some reason

 

[Brew12]

Whatsup guys 4 weeks into my cycle really high nitrites and nitrates I did 1 50 percent water change and I’d say about 2 25 percent water changes I added half a cap full of sea chem prime in my 10 gallon tank. The nitrites won’t go down for some reason

It isn't unusual for nitrites to stay high. Prime won't do anything to help with nitrites. I would try a bottle of biospira if you don't want to continue to wait.

 

[Jack684523]

Do I use the whole bottle and should I do a water change before I add it ? He also gave me smart start complete he said that had live bacteria in it would I be able to use that instead of the biospira

 

[JAMSOURY]

Anyone ever skip the gha stage? I got the diatom bloom, it’s been a couple of months and for some reason the gha hasn’t kicked in yet.

 

[stanleo]

API test kits will commonly read 0.25ppm ammonia even when it is zero. I think those numbers look good. I would dose ammonia up to 2ppm and give it another go.

So I did as you suggested and dosed more ammonia and two days later the level is at 0ppm ammonia and nitrite and 5 nitrate. Does this mean my tank is cycled or should I do another round of dosing? If it is cycled, do I need to do a water change before adding my first fish? Thank you for your help.

 

[Brew12]

So I did as you suggested and dosed more ammonia and two days later the level is at 0ppm ammonia and nitrite and 5 nitrate. Does this mean my tank is cycled or should I do another round of dosing? If it is cycled, do I need to do a water change before adding my first fish? Thank you for your help.

I think you can safely add a small fish or two. I wouldn't bother with a water change since you only have 5 nitrate.

 

[OutsideBrian]

Ok I’m cycled, now what...
I haven’t had and blooms or algae yet.
I’m assuming wait on snails until I do.
Could i add a shrimp and feed it directly?
Quarantine a couple fish in copper for another month and add them to the display tank?
I also want corals, Gsp and euphyllias to start. Should I wait on those?

 

[Brew12]

Ok I’m cycled, now what...
I haven’t had and blooms or algae yet.
I’m assuming wait on snails until I do.
Could i add a shrimp and feed it directly?
Quarantine a couple fish in copper for another month and add them to the display tank?
I also want corals, Gsp and euphyllias to start. Should I wait on those?

If your tank is cycled it's time to look at adding a few smaller fish. I would wait at least a month or two before adding any easier corals and at least 3 or 4 months before more challenging corals. When you start seeing algae growth you will want to add your CuC. I wouldn't put a shrimp in a brand new aquarium. Give that a few months too.

 

[00Barracuda00]

​

I will either use pure ammonia or ammonium chloride to raise the total ammonia to 2ppm. I will test for ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates daily until ammonia is near 0ppm. I will then dose it back up to 2ppm while continuing daily tests. I will repeat this process in a smaller tank until ammonia goes from 2ppm to 0ppm within 24 hours. In tanks that are 90g+ that will be stocked slowly I will only dose to 1ppm ammonia after the initial dose and consider it cycled when it drops from 1ppm to 0ppm in 24 hours. This is to limit nitrates in larger tanks. Keep in mind that a 120g system that drops 1ppm in a day can support more fish than a 40g tank that drops 2ppm in a day.

I'd like to request a point of clarification on this matter. When testing for ammonia to drop from 2ppm to 0ppm in 24hrs, you still have to test for nitrite, right?

My new tank is able to drop ammonia levels fairly well in a 24hr period, but it causes the nitrites to spike. Would a "cycled" tank process 2ppm to 0ppm in 24hrs and have no rise in nitrite levels?

 

[Brew12]

I'd like to request a point of clarification on this matter. When testing for ammonia to drop from 2ppm to 0ppm in 24hrs, you still have to test for nitrite, right?

My new tank is able to drop ammonia levels fairly well in a 24hr period, but it causes the nitrites to spike. Would a "cycled" tank process 2ppm to 0ppm in 24hrs and have no rise in nitrite levels?

Yes, that is correct. Nitrite isn't an issue in marine tanks but I still feel it best for it to be able to process both.

 

[Cmedeiros]

I just started my tank, it’s 135 gallon. Been about 4 weeks into the cycle stage. Will be adding inverts to establish a solid clean up crew. And possibly a tang to start off with

Only have one power head but it’s a powerful one. Planning on getting another two. Also a protein skimmer and a new light system.

Canister filter will have to do for now until my sump is built, it’s a fluval 405.

Doing weekly water changes now about 5-10%

 

[Brew12]

I just started my tank, it’s 135 gallon. Been about 4 weeks into the cycle stage. Will be adding inverts to establish a solid clean up crew. And possibly a tang to start off with

Only have one power head but it’s a powerful one. Planning on getting another two. Also a protein skimmer and a new light system.

Canister filter will have to do for now until my sump is built, it’s a fluval 405.

Doing weekly water changes now about 5-10%

Sounds like you are off to a great start!

I would recommend adding tangs last unless you are planning for a very aggressive FOWLR. Start stocking with the smaller more passive fish and work your way to the larger more aggressive fish like tangs.