Newbie here. First time cycling tank

[IAmGroot420]

I just started a 20 gallon tank 3 days ago. I have 7 lbs of live rock, 6 snails, and 1 hermit crab. I added Dr Tim’s One and Only bacteria. I have a wave maker and Tidal 35 filter. No heater, I’m in Southern California so room temp is about 72-76. I did not add Ammonia solution due to snails producing ammonia.

My ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate all show as 0. I used API test strips, but ill be getting delivered the Hanna Master Kit this Saturday.

Not sure if my tank is fully cycled yet or if there hasn’t been enough ammonia to kick start the nitrogen cycle.

Any input?

I’m new to saltwater tanks

 

[Rocks reef]

Where did you get the live rock? Only reason I'm asking, is some places sell "live rock" that isn't really "live".

 

[Fish Fan]

Welcome to Reef2Reef and to saltwater tanks!

I think that the snails and such are not producing significant ammonia, and what they are producing is being processed by your live rock, assuming it's real, wet, quality live rock form a Local Fish Store (LFS).

Try adding some fish food, that will add some ammonia to the system. You may not see the ammonia go up (because it's being processed by the rock), but you should start to see nitrates accumulating. When you see nitrates, you know your cycle is working.

Good luck!

 

[IAmGroot420]

Where did you get the live rock? Only reason I'm asking, is some places sell "live rock" that isn't really "live".

My local fish store. It’s man made rock they said, not from the actual ocean

 

[IAmGroot420]

Welcome to Reef2Reef and to saltwater tanks!

I think that the snails and such are not producing significant ammonia, and what they are producing is being processed by your live rock, assuming it's real, wet, quality live rock form a Local Fish Store (LFS).

Try adding some fish food, that will add some ammonia to the system. You may not see the ammonia go up (because it's being processed by the rock), but you should start to see nitrates accumulating. When you see nitrates, you know your cycle is working.

Good luck!

Thank you! I will try this

 

[Fish Fan]

My local fish store. It’s man made rock they said, not from the actual ocean

That's fine, but was it wet? Was it in a tank for some time so that it picked up the beneficial bacteria and other beneficial microorganisms?

 

[IAmGroot420]

Welcome to Reef2Reef and to saltwater tanks!

I think that the snails and such are not producing significant ammonia, and what they are producing is being processed by your live rock, assuming it's real, wet, quality live rock form a Local Fish Store (LFS).

Try adding some fish food, that will add some ammonia to the system. You may not see the ammonia go up (because it's being processed by the rock), but you should start to see nitrates accumulating. When you see nitrates, you know your cycle is working.

Good luck!

That's fine, but was it wet? Was it in a tank for some time so that it picked up the beneficial bacteria and other beneficial microorganisms

That's fine, but was it wet? Was it in a tank for some time so that it picked up the beneficial bacteria and other beneficial microorganisms?

yes it was wet and in two large tanks (one was all purple rock which is what I got, and the other was white rock). They mentioned it’s well cycled tanks a long time

 

[Fish Fan]

yes it was wet and in two large tanks (one was all purple rock which is what I got, and the other was white rock). They mentioned it’s well cycled tanks a long time

That's great. With that in mind, your tank may basically be cycled already. When you start with live, precycled rock it really cuts down the cycle time, some even experience no cycle at all.

I'd maybe wait until you see some nitrates, which is a solid sign your biofilter is working, and then you should be alright to slowly add some more hardy livestock.

 

[IAmGroot420]

That's great. With that in mind, your tank may basically be cycled already. When you start with live, precycled rock it really cuts down the cycle time, some even experience no cycle at all.

I'd maybe wait until you see some nitrates, which is a solid sign your biofilter is working, and then you should be alright to slowly add some more hardy livestock.

Sounds good. Thanks for the input. I was surprised because I hear cycled tanks can take 2-8 weeks or more depending on circumstances. I just set up my tank this past Sunday lol

 

[Fish Fan]

Sounds good. Thanks for the input. I was surprised because I hear cycled tanks can take 2-8 weeks or more depending on circumstances. I just set up my tank this past Sunday lol

If you start with dry rock and sand and bottled bacteria, it tends to take about 3 to 4 weeks. Longer than that is usually due to test kit errors, not so much the cycle taking that long. Some bottled bacteria products can even work a little faster in some cases. A lot of people say Fritz Turbo Start specifically works very fast.

But real live rock is the way to go, you can more or less setup a tank instantly with little to no cycle, because the rock is basically pre-cycled already. This is a very good way to go, you typically get more than just the bacteria for beneficial organisms, and you should experience less if any "ugly algae" often seen in new tanks with dry rocks and sand.

 

[IAmGroot420]

Sounds good. Thanks for the input. I was surprised because I hear cycled tanks can take 2-8 weeks or more depending on circumstances. I just set up my tank this past Sunday lol

If you start with dry rock and sand and bottled bacteria, it tends to take about 3 to 4 weeks. Longer than that is usually due to test kit errors, not so much the cycle taking that long. Some bottled bacteria products can even work a little faster in some cases. A lot of people say Fritz Turbo Start specifically works very fast.

But real live rock is the way to go, you can more or less setup a tank instantly with little to no cycle, because the rock is basically pre-cycled already. This is a very good way to go, you typically get more than just the bacteria for beneficial organisms, and you should experience less if any "ugly algae" often seen in new tanks with dry rocks and sand.

Interesting. Thank you. The LFS told me I could technically put a fish in there now because it should be fine, but I was hesitant and wanted to be patience and cycle. Making more sense now. Appreciate your time, brother

 

[Fish Fan]

Interesting. Thank you. The LFS told me I could technically put a fish in there now because it should be fine, but I was hesitant and wanted to be patience and cycle. Making more sense now. Appreciate your time, brother

I'm happy to help, and happy to say that for once I agree with the LFS. If their rock is well seasoned, your tank will be more or less ready to go right from the start.