Cycling problems

[gooicide]

Hello, I have just started up my second saltwater aquarium. It has been running for about three weeks now. So far, I have seen very little progress on the cycle. One day I tested and the ammonia spiked, but after that it went back down and I saw no nitrite spike. All of my params are in check (pH 8.0, alk 11, calcium 450), and my nutrients are all very low, despite the fact that there has already been an ammonia spike. All I'm getting is algae and an infestation of medusae. I have at least four types of algae in my tank; spots of red cyano, diatoms on the sand and glass, green slime on the rocks, and this nasty fuzzy black stuff I have never seen before. The cyano seems to be appearing on the rocks and on the sand in low flow zones. I know the diatoms are to be expected in a new tank and will probably go away soon, but unless my phosphates are high (which I haven't yet tested for, the test kit I ordered is currently being shipped) I don't see how this algae is thriving with such low nutrients. I use RODI water and my lights are a combination of T5's and actinics.

 

[rayn]

Algae thrives on the nutrients. Most tanks that grow algae well have low nutrient levels. I know this all to well.

Have you done a water change? Have you added some sort of ammonia source to see how ammonia levels react?

 

[gooicide]

Algae thrives on the nutrients. Most tanks that grow algae well have low nutrient levels. I know this all to well.

Have you done a water change? Have you added some sort of ammonia source to see how ammonia levels react?

I have been putting in food daily as a source of ammonia, but I have not done a water change yet. I thought you were only supposed to do a water change when the cycle is over.

 

[rayn]

True on the water change, but with your nutrient levels rising it may be time.

If you are ghost feeding and never seeing ammonia, the bacteria may already be established.

Without the nitrite test you may not be sure, but you could do a nitrate test.

 

[rock_lobster]

Its already cycled the algae is feeding off the nitrates. Just need to get a clean up crew and some macro algae and your good to go.

 

[gooicide]

True on the water change, but with your nutrient levels rising it may be time.

If you are ghost feeding and never seeing ammonia, the bacteria may already be established.

Without the nitrite test you may not be sure, but you could do a nitrate test.

I just did a nitrite, nitrate, and ammonia test. Ammonia was about 0.25, and nitrites and nitrates were close to zero.

 

[rayn]

Are you running lights?

If ammonia is still present then hold out a bit longer. If you are running lights, shut then down as they arwnt needed yet.

 

[gooicide]

Are you running lights?

If ammonia is still present then hold out a bit longer. If you are running lights, shut then down as they arwnt needed yet.

I am running lights. I heard somewhere else that they are needed for the life on the live rock to survive. On second thought, it's actually hard to make out what the ammonia reading is. What would you say this is?

 

[rayn]

That still looks like some is showing up. Just asked the wife and she agrees.

Lights arent needed during cycle. They just feed the algae. I would shut them down. I don't cycle with lights myself.

 

[Reefpro]

You are sitting at .25 on the ammonia based on that color. Like everyone else has said lights are not needed at this point and it fuels the algae. Patience is key slow cycles have always been the best in my experience.

 

[idisc]

Pataince....is key to success :)

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Probably time to stop feeding too.

 

[NJHC]

Hello, I have just started up my second saltwater aquarium. It has been running for about three weeks now. So far, I have seen very little progress on the cycle. One day I tested and the ammonia spiked, but after that it went back down and I saw no nitrite spike. All of my params are in check (pH 8.0, alk 11, calcium 450), and my nutrients are all very low, despite the fact that there has already been an ammonia spike. All I'm getting is algae and an infestation of medusae. I have at least four types of algae in my tank; spots of red cyano, diatoms on the sand and glass, green slime on the rocks, and this nasty fuzzy black stuff I have never seen before. The cyano seems to be appearing on the rocks and on the sand in low flow zones. I know the diatoms are to be expected in a new tank and will probably go away soon, but unless my phosphates are high (which I haven't yet tested for, the test kit I ordered is currently being shipped) I don't see how this algae is thriving with such low nutrients. I use RODI water and my lights are a combination of T5's and actinics.

I just started my tank 2 weeks ago I cycled with bio Pronto Marine which rapidly starts the biological process it has been an easy and fastest cycle I've ever had when starting up a tank. This is my fifth tank startup and I have to highly recommend this product here's an example in the photo.

 

[USMC 4 LIFE]

Did you use dry rock and sand?

I'm currently cycling a tank and it's my first time doing it with dry sand and rock. It's kinda stalled on me I think. I used Aquavitro Seed bacteria and my parameter have been the same for over a week.

Ammonia 1
Nitrite .5
Nitrate 20

 

[deville n reef]

Hello, I have just started up my second saltwater aquarium. It has been running for about three weeks now. So far, I have seen very little progress on the cycle. One day I tested and the ammonia spiked, but after that it went back down and I saw no nitrite spike. All of my params are in check (pH 8.0, alk 11, calcium 450), and my nutrients are all very low, despite the fact that there has already been an ammonia spike. All I'm getting is algae and an infestation of medusae. I have at least four types of algae in my tank; spots of red cyano, diatoms on the sand and glass, green slime on the rocks, and this nasty fuzzy black stuff I have never seen before. The cyano seems to be appearing on the rocks and on the sand in low flow zones. I know the diatoms are to be expected in a new tank and will probably go away soon, but unless my phosphates are high (which I haven't yet tested for, the test kit I ordered is currently being shipped) I don't see how this algae is thriving with such low nutrients. I use RODI water and my lights are a combination of T5's and actinics.

I myself had the exact same issue with my 2nd take ...
To the T u described my Symptoms.
Honestly the info they gave me here with the knowledge u already have and you will beat this.
U are gonna want phos-zorb or phos-ban like yesterday and always run it.
Other than that flow and don't remove it all but give the tank the chance to beat it up itself to strengthen the "immune system " so to speak ..
After you get the flow down and keep your lights in reasonable schedule 6-8 hrs for now. .. Your tank will beat this patience is the main ingredient here ..
Enjoy the ugly phase ....it will be worth it NO CHEMICALS NO FEEDING

 

[gooicide]

Did you use dry rock and sand?

I'm currently cycling a tank and it's my first time doing it with dry sand and rock. It's kinda stalled on me I think. I used Aquavitro Seed bacteria and my parameter have been the same for over a week.

Ammonia 1
Nitrite .5
Nitrate 20

I used live rock with one piece of dry rock, but also dry sand.

 

[gooicide]

These are my params right now. It seems that nitrate is starting to spike up, but ammonia could be a little lower.

 

[USMC 4 LIFE]

Looks like Ammonia is at .25
Nitrite at .25 and your maxed out on nitrate.

I would raise your ammonia so it's at 2ppm and see if the bacteria can process that down to .25 or lower in 24 hours.

If it does then I would say your cycled and do a water change. If it doesn't then I would say to hold off for another couple of day. But either way it looks good man

 

[gooicide]

Looks like Ammonia is at .25
Nitrite at .25 and your maxed out on nitrate.

I would raise your ammonia so it's at 2ppm and see if the bacteria can process that down to .25 or lower in 24 hours.

If it does then I would say your cycled and do a water change. If it doesn't then I would say to hold off for another couple of day. But either way it looks good man

My ammonia spiked up about a week and a half ago, and by the next day it was back down to 0.25, do I still need to add more ammonia? And how would I add it aside from feeding?

 

[USMC 4 LIFE]

Spiked up to what number? If greater than 2ppm, then you're in the clear.

What was nitrite and nitrate at when your ammonia spiked and went back down?

There is ammonia that you can purchase to add to your tank. However, you must research which ammonia is SAFE to add without damaging your cycle. Dose a small amount then test your ammonia to see how much it went up and to calculate a formula to get your readings to 2ppm. Once it reaches 2ppm (slightly more is ok as well) time how long it takes your aquarium to bring down ammonia levels down to .25ppm or below.