Newbie Cycling

[cybanez]

Please be nice and don’t make me cry
I’m doing my best to do everything right and just need some confirmation that I’m cycling correctly and need to just keep being patient. I’m dying to add some hermits and snails but don’t want to kill anything so I haven’t yet.

I started my cycle on 8/23 in a new Fluval Evo 13.5 with live sand and dry rock. I did use the fluval starter bacteria that day. On 8/31, I added Dr. Tim’s and ammonium chloride.

I would appreciate someone checking my numbers and letting me know how I’m doing!

 

[B&CinB.C.]

I'd say you're cycled . A good way to check is to bring your ammonia up to 2ppm and the tank should lower it to near zero in 24 hrs. 0.5 ammonia is a little high , could be your test kit . I wouldn't add clean up crew ( snails etc.) first. There's nothing in the tank for them to eat yet .

 

[cybanez]

I'd say you're cycled . A good way to check is to bring your ammonia up to 2ppm and the tank should lower it to near zero in 24 hrs. 0.5 ammonia is a little high , could be your test kit . I wouldn't add clean up crew ( snails etc.) first. There's nothing in the tank for them to eat yet .

Thank you! I’ll increase the ammonia tonight and see how it does!!

I don’t plan to have fish - just corals and inverts. I figured I would feed the inverts for a while until they’re needed for waste. Is that a terrible plan? I’m really not into fish, but I love watching the snails and crabs.

 

[B&CinB.C.]

I don't have experience with a fishless system but that should work if you can feed the cuc . Maybe someone with more experience will chime in .

 

[PharmrJohn]

I'd say you're cycled . A good way to check is to bring your ammonia up to 2ppm and the tank should lower it to near zero in 24 hrs. 0.5 ammonia is a little high , could be your test kit . I wouldn't add clean up crew ( snails etc.) first. There's nothing in the tank for them to eat yet .

Agreed. The only thing I'd add to this would be a 3 or 4 day proof of 2ppm to zero. Overkill, yes, but it's a decent confirmation. And with CUC, check out reefcleaners.org. Ya need to fill out a form and they'll get back to you quickly with ideas of what you can do. I've dealt with them and they rock.

 

[cybanez]

Agreed. The only thing I'd add to this would be a 3 or 4 day proof of 2ppm to zero. Overkill, yes, but it's a decent confirmation. And with CUC, check out reefcleaners.org. Ya need to fill out a form and they'll get back to you quickly with ideas of what you can do. I've dealt with them and they rock.

Thank you!! I just dosed it up to 2 ppm ammonia. I’ve also already gotten the recommendation from reefcleaner! It’s an overwhelming hobby and I want to do it right! Mostly I was considering ordering my CUC with the knowledge that I’d have until mid-week to confirm the cycle is complete. I’ve got shrimp pellets, algae wafers and nori ready as well, knowing I don’t have enough for them to actually clean!

 

[PharmrJohn]

Thank you!! I just dosed it up to 2 ppm ammonia. I’ve also already gotten the recommendation from reefcleaner! It’s an overwhelming hobby and I want to do it right! Mostly I was considering ordering my CUC with the knowledge that I’d have until mid-week to confirm the cycle is complete. I’ve got shrimp pellets, algae wafers and nori ready as well, knowing I don’t have enough for them to actually clean!

Ya hit that right on the head. Especially at the beginning. Overwhelming is an understatement, lol! When I set up my first real try a few decades ago, I just set it up and, without researching adequately, just went for it. Tank survived. I was SO lucky!

 

[cybanez]

Ya hit that right on the head. Especially at the beginning. Overwhelming is an understatement, lol! When I set up my first real try a few decades ago, I just set it up and, without researching adequately, just went for it. Tank survived. I was SO lucky!

I had a BioCube setup a decade ago and it went to hell with pests and awfulness. I ended up so frustrated that I gave the whole thing away.
I’m fully committed to taking every step slowly and correctly this time! But it’s still hard. Every time I read something, I find the opposite advice somewhere else! I’m grateful to have help here even though I know newbies asking the same questions over and over is annoying.

 

[PharmrJohn]

I had a BioCube setup a decade ago and it went to hell with pests and awfulness. I ended up so frustrated that I gave the whole thing away.
I’m fully committed to taking every step slowly and correctly this time! But it’s still hard. Every time I read something, I find the opposite advice somewhere else! I’m grateful to have help here even though I know newbies asking the same questions over and over is annoying.

Well, I find repeated queries acceptable. There is something to be said for individualized threads on the same subject. And yes, there are differing opinions, especially on cycling it seems. When I get to a point where my tank finally comes to fruition, I'll have, basically, a four month, planned out cycling that is geared to minimize if not avoid an ugly phase. Others do it in a week and move forward. In the end, managing a tank boils down to your own comfort level and details you deem important.

 

[mcarroll]

I had a BioCube setup a decade ago and it went to hell with pests and awfulness. I ended up so frustrated that I gave the whole thing away.
I’m fully committed to taking every step slowly and correctly this time! But it’s still hard. Every time I read something, I find the opposite advice somewhere else!

All I can do is concur (nothing good happens fast in a reef tank). Also...the failed tank and the opposing advices are not mere coincidence. If you haven't already, getting a couple of good books can go a LONG ways toward triangulating on the conflicting opinions found online. Martin Moe is a great author to start with. Pick your own favorite for a second book....there are tons of great options. (Pretty sure I have a book recommendation thread on here, if interested.)

The ammonia spike probably did a number on your live sand. May have canned your PO4 levels too....double check. "Low-to-none" is not good, especially during the tank's early development.

The so-called fishless method is pretty unnecessary in general terms, but especially so if you don't intend on having fish. (I really like coral-without-fish tanks, especially when someone is starting out, but else-wise too.) It's definitely the wrong treatment for live rock or sand – ammonia it toxic in high concentrations, especially to more sensitive reef critters/inverts.

If you aren't in a hurry, the natural method (30-40 days) would be best in that situation. I've detailed the concept in many posts, but it's an old concept. (The main thrust is that you don't create an ammonia spike at all, but it takes patience.)