Cycling - Take Action or Let Alone?

[Chipper1978]

Waiting for my new Waterbox 130.4 to cycle (fishless) and would like opinions on whether I should do a water change, add more bacteria, or let things alone. Here’s a daily log...

5/3/20 - Approximately 70 pounds of MarcoRocks and 60 pounds of AragAlive sand. Added saltwater (0 TDS RO/DI at 1.025 salinity), Dr. Tim’s One and Only bacteria, and Dr. Tim’s Ammonium Chloride (recommended amount of each). Filter cups out and protein skimmer and carbon reactor off.
5/4/20 - ammonia 0.8, nitrite 0, nitrate 2, added more ammonium chloride
5/5/20 - ammonia 1.2, nitrite 0, nitrate 2, added more ammonium chloride, replaced filter cups (floss and matrix) and turned on protein skimmer and carbon reactor.
5/6/20 - ammonia <2, nitrite .05, nitrate 2
5/7/20 - ammonia 2, nitrite 0.2, nitrate 2
5/8/20 - ammonia 2, nitrite 0.5, nitrate 5
5/9/20 - ammonia 2, nitrite 1.0, nitrate 10
5/10/20 - ammonia 2, nitrite 1.0, nitrate 20
5/11/20 - ammonia 1.2, nitrite 1.0, nitrate 20
5/12/20 - ammonia 1.2, nitrite 1.0, nitrate 20-50

Due to Red Sea testing kit having max readings for ammonia at 2.0 and nitrite at 1.0, they could have been higher (nitrite could currently be higher). pH has remained stable at 8.2, salinity at 1.025-1.026, and temp 77.5-78.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance!

 

[Webslinger]

let it be...slow and steady

 

[Chipper1978]

let it be...slow and steady

Thanks! Funny how sometimes the hardest thing to do is to do nothing.

 

[drummerkid97]

Beautiful setup!

 

[NS Mike D]

Thanks! Funny how sometimes the hardest thing to do is to do nothing.

true


By 6/4 you should be confident that your tank is ready for the next phase and the numbers should reflect so. Probably earlier but 3O days wait is belt and suspenders.

 

[Chipper1978]

Beautiful setup!

Thank you! Had to wait 2 months for the tank to arrive and now waiting for cycling. Teaching me some patience for sure!

 

[Chipper1978]

true


By 6/4 you should be confident that your tank is ready for the next phase and the numbers should reflect so. Probably earlier but 3O days wait is belt and suspenders.

June 4th?! I can do this. Ha!

 

[blasterman]

Looks like the tank was started dry. Seen this take up to a month depending on bacteria seeding.

When nitrite and ammonia read a trace or less then its cycled. Watching it and testing more wont make things go faster.

 

[DWill]

Thanks! Funny how sometimes the hardest thing to do is to do nothing.

Looks like you’re on track. Enjoy slow and steady While it lasts, you’ll be busy soon.

 

[Chipper1978]

Looks like the tank was started dry. Seen this take up to a month depending on bacteria seeding.

When nitrite and ammonia read a trace or less then its cycled. Watching it and testing more wont make things go faster.

Haha! So true!

 

[Chipper1978]

Looks like you’re on track. Enjoy slow and steady While it lasts, you’ll be busy soon.

Thanks and good perspective!

 

[Katrina71]

Let it ride! You'll be glad you did.

 

[keywestreefer]

@Chipper1978 how is it coming along?

 

[billybwf]

Wait will be worth it. It is something that should be well practiced in a reef tank.

 

[Chipper1978]

@Chipper1978 how is it coming along?

Pretty good. Yesterday my parameters were Ammonia - 0, Nitrite - 0.2, Nitrate - 20. I added 2ppm Ammonium Chloride. Just measured this morning and parameters are Ammonia - 0.2, Nitrite - 0.2, Nitrate - 20. ph has been steady at 8.2 and salinity at 1.026. Thinking I will do a water change tomorrow and add a pair of clownfish in a couple days. See any issues with that plan?

 

[keywestreefer]

Pretty good. Yesterday my parameters were Ammonia - 0, Nitrite - 0.2, Nitrate - 20. I added 2ppm Ammonium Chloride. Just measured this morning and parameters are Ammonia - 0.2, Nitrite - 0.2, Nitrate - 20. ph has been steady at 8.2 and salinity at 1.026. Thinking I will do a water change tomorrow and add a pair of clownfish in a couple days. See any issues with that plan?

I am probably not the right person to ask, but based on all my research it sounds like you are either cycled or dang close. I wouldn’t add any more ammonia directly and say you are safe to add the clowns at this point. Again, don’t just take my word for it, but the fact you dropped 1.8 ppm in ammonia in a day sounds like you are there.

 

[Chipper1978]

I am probably not the right person to ask, but based on all my research it sounds like you are either cycled or dang close. I wouldn’t add any more ammonia directly and say you are safe to add the clowns at this point. Again, don’t just take my word for it, but the fact you dropped 1.8 ppm in ammonia in a day sounds like you are there.

Thanks for the response! Can’t wait to get a couple fish.