Added the BioSpira and have been seeing real progress in the cycling. I was adding 2 PPM ammonia each night and the ammonia was down to zero the next evening , nitrite was getting high, and nitrate was showing up, so I stopped adding ammonia.
Tonight ammonia is zero, nitrite is .25, and nitrate is 40. I'm thinking in another week or so I can do a large water change and think about "testing the waters" with a small amount of live stock.
Is it safe to add a clean up crew and macro-algae at this phase? I'll start with that, and if things still look good I'll purchase a couple of pearly jawfish (I love them!)
My new skimmer arrived today but I haven't even un-boxed it yet because I don't think I should run a skimmer while still cycling, BUT, it would also be nice to let it start breaking in, too. Maybe this weekend?
Sue
Tonight ammonia is zero, nitrite is .25, and nitrate is 40. I'm thinking in another week or so I can do a large water change and think about "testing the waters" with a small amount of live stock.
Is it safe to add a clean up crew and macro-algae at this phase? I'll start with that, and if things still look good I'll purchase a couple of pearly jawfish (I love them!)
My new skimmer arrived today but I haven't even un-boxed it yet because I don't think I should run a skimmer while still cycling, BUT, it would also be nice to let it start breaking in, too. Maybe this weekend?
Sue