I think I'm cycled ?

[cjrudy]

My 90 gallon tank upgrade has been cycling for exactly three weeks on Saturday. After an initial ammonia spike, my ammonia and nitrite levels have dropped to 0 ppm and I have an algae bloom in my sump. I think my tank has officially cycled.

My nitrate is at 10 ppm, I plan on doing my first water change and then I am adding a CUC. How much longer should I wait before transferring the fish and coral from my 29G BioCube?

PS: Should I add a few pinches of fish food to keep the bacteria happy.

 

[Reef Breeders Verified Sponsor]

Start with your CUC like you said, then stabalize ca/alk for at least 4-5 days, then start adding coral.

 

[Troylee]

What did you use to bring on a ammonia spike???? Or should I say to cycle the tank....

 

[Madreef]

Why do you have algae in your sump? Is there a light on it?

Generally you'll see an algae bloom on the rocks and sand, followed by a pod bloom, followed by a smaller algae bloom, then pod, etc.... This seems to go on for two or three months. Generally after the first month or so I'll add in the snails, then about two weeks later I'll add some hermits and maybe a urchin depending on how bad the turf or other algaes are. This is a good time to get a handle on what kind of swings your tank undergoes as far as ph and temp, then you can take steps to prevents these swings before you add corals.

 

[cjrudy]

Yes, I have a light for my chaeto.

 

[cjrudy]

What did you use to bring on a ammonia spike???? Or should I say to cycle the tank....

I nice fat shrimp

 

[Madreef]

Generally it's best to have the refugium not part of the sump, or at least blacked out. You'll end up cleaning your sump frequently. It might be best to make adjustments before the tank is all set up. Just my .02

 

[Reef Breeders Verified Sponsor]

Really? I see a lot of sumps built like that, my sump is exactly that. I have a hob aqua c pro instead of an in sump skimmer.

 

[cjrudy]

Generally it's best to have the refugium not part of the sump, or at least blacked out. You'll end up cleaning your sump frequently. It might be best to make adjustments before the tank is all set up. Just my .02

It's quite standard to have a refugium as one part of the sump, the other two sections for the return and protein skimmer are nice and clean.

 

[Madreef]

Nice and clean untill they grow coraline and other animals. Some black acrylic and a little glue goes a long way. I guess its just my preference.

 

[cjrudy]

The clean up crew is in the tank, thanks again to John at Reefcleaners for going above and beyond