New to marine failed cycle

[r3alkrafty]

Can someone please help me here, I’m new to marine and boy do I wish I didn’t start, I tried a fishless cycle couple months back that failed, iv attempted with originally microbacter 7, then tried dr Tim’s ammonia and one and only, failed both with live sand and dry tmc eco rock

Impatience got the better of me and again wish I didn’t but iv added 2 clowns and 2 diamond gobies, been about roughly 3 or 4 weeks added another dr Tim’s one and only and atm colony, separate occasions though, all I ever read is ammonia but no conversion, iv tried bringing 0.8 and over readings down with atm first response , iv recently added aqua forest bio fil and more live sand up to 2 inch depth but very early days for those, literally 48 hours

Reef mat switched off, protein skimmer running but dry no cup, biospheres media, it’s driving me mad and just want to succeed and enjoy this hobby but by god is it proving to be a pain, many thanks in advance for any suggestions

 

[Tahoe61]

It's impossible to fail a cycle. The nitrogen cycle is going to happen eventually.
I am sorry you're feeling so frustrated.
Too many gadgets may contribute to your frustration initially. You don't need a skimmer or reef mat currently.
What test kits are you using?

 

[Kooma]

Simplify things.

Stop dumping in quick fix bottles.

Feed the fish. When ammonia creeps up, change their water. Test for nitrates daily, when they start to rise you’re into the cycle.

Fish cycles are possible as long as you manage the ammonia and change the water until it’s going.

 

[jabberwock]

Simplify things.

Stop dumping in quick fix bottles.

Feed the fish. When ammonia creeps up, change their water. Test for nitrates daily, when they start to rise you’re into the cycle.

Fish cycles are possible as long as you manage the ammonia and change the water until it’s going.

Yep

 

[ReefQuestCorals]

Simplify things.

Stop dumping in quick fix bottles.

Feed the fish. When ammonia creeps up, change their water. Test for nitrates daily, when they start to rise you’re into the cycle.

Fish cycles are possible as long as you manage the ammonia and change the water until it’s going.

I agree here

Worst possible thing you can do in this hobby is rush. If you are an impatient person then you will have to take a step back and breathe, there are living animals that depend on you ensuring they get the proper treatment.

Do your research, and when you feel you know what your doing then keep doing more. Here is a first start on your journey, BRStv is a great resource and I would suggest really digging into their videos as there are loads of helpful information

https://www.youtube.com/@BRStv

 

[r3alkrafty]

It's impossible to fail a cycle. The nitrogen cycle is going to happen eventually.
I am sorry you're feeling so frustrated.
Too many gadgets may contribute to your frustration initially. You don't need a skimmer or reef mat currently.
What test kits are you using?

Comforting to know and thanks for your reply, no need to be sorry, I’m too deep in to give up and too eager to succeed, I only run the skimmer for extra oxygenation without the cup and don’t run the mat, I’m using Red Sea test kit, thanks

 

[r3alkrafty]

I agree here

Worst possible thing you can do in this hobby is rush. If you are an impatient person then you will have to take a step back and breathe, there are living animals that depend on you ensuring they get the proper treatment.

Do your research, and when you feel you know what your doing then keep doing more. Here is a first start on your journey, BRStv is a great resource and I would suggest really digging into their videos as there are loads of helpful information

https://www.youtube.com/@BRStv

Many thanks for that info, I wil be sure to check it out

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

What ammonia levels are you seeing? That’s the only parameter to worry about, and 0.5 ppm or less is not a significant concern.

 

[r3alkrafty]

What ammonia levels are you seeing? That’s the only parameter to worry about, and 0.5 ppm or less is not a significant concern.

Hi, it will climb to 0.8 and I will intervene with atm first response and bring it down to around 0.2 but man that tank is a stubborn son of a gun to cycle

 

[r3alkrafty]

Simplify things.

Stop dumping in quick fix bottles.

Feed the fish. When ammonia creeps up, change their water. Test for nitrates daily, when they start to rise you’re into the cycle.

Fish cycles are possible as long as you manage the ammonia and change the water until it’s going.

Would this not mess with the cycle though please? Water changes diluting down possible nitrite growth therefore prolonging the cycle? Thanks in advance

 

[Kooma]

No. The bacteria aren’t in the water column.

 

[r3alkrafty]

No. The bacteria aren’t in the water column.

Many thanks, I assume just proceed as normal with weekly water changes and just keep monitoring along the way? Many thanks again

 

[Kooma]

Test ammonia and nitrate every 2 days. If ammonia goes over 0.5 do a 25% water change. You’ll see ammonia drop off and nitrate pick up in a week or two. Once you see your nitrate above 5ppm and your ammonia below 0.25 your cycle is rolling and you can go to weekly nitrate testing for water change nutrient export management.

No more bottles. That screws with the cycle far worse than water changes, and is very expensive. Cycling shouldn’t cost more than a single cube of food and two weeks.

 

[r3alkrafty]

Test ammonia and nitrate every 2 days. If ammonia goes over 0.5 do a 25% water change. You’ll see ammonia drop off and nitrate pick up in a week or two. Once you see your nitrate above 5ppm and your ammonia below 0.25 your cycle is rolling and you can go to weekly nitrate testing for water change nutrient export management.

No more bottles. That screws with the cycle far worse than water changes, and is very expensive. Cycling shouldn’t cost more than a single cube of food and two weeks.

Many thanks very simple advice, I will make an attempt and update very much appreciated