Slow cycling

[MadReeferDoug]

Started a fresh tank. Used dry rock, live sand and bio media with beneficial bacteria. It’s been up over a week. My ammonia levels just hit .50. There are no nitrates or nitrite present. I have a feeling I’m just being impatient. I’ve been feeding the tank with shrimp and pellets but not much is going on. Is it just a waiting game and should I be running lights?

 

[gbroadbridge]

Started a fresh tank. Used dry rock, live sand and bio media with beneficial bacteria. It’s been up over a week. My ammonia levels just hit .50. There are no nitrates or nitrite present. I have a feeling I’m just being impatient. I’ve been feeding the tank with shrimp and pellets but not much is going on. Is it just a waiting game and should I be running lights?

Yes, you're being impatient :-)

Leave the tank alone, and it'll be cycled after another 2-3 weeks.

Don't feed any more to the tank, just let the tank process what is already there. Lighting makes no difference.

And FWIW, checking levels frequently does not make the cycle happen any faster ;-)

 

[MadReeferDoug]

Started a fresh tank. Used dry rock, live sand and bio media with beneficial bacteria. It’s been up over a week. My ammonia levels just hit .50. There are no nitrates or nitrite present. I have a feeling I’m just being impatient. I’ve been feeding the tank with shrimp and pellets but not much is going on. Is it just a waiting game and should I be running lights?

Yes, you're being impatient :-)

Leave the tank alone, and it'll be cycled after another 2-3 weeks.

Don't feed any more to the tank, just let the tank process what is already there.

And FWIW, checking levels frequently does not make the cycle happen any faster ;-)

I was afraid of that lol and how did you know I was checking it daily lol.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

It takes about 3-4 weeks to cycle a tank IMO, be patient, the entire hobby is all about patience.

 

[FishLvR]

If you used live sand it should have been pretty spontaneous. Did you order it from Tampa, or get it from someone?

 

[MadReeferDoug]

I got it at a local shop

 

[FishLvR]

I got it at a local shop

Then it should be full of bacteria. OR it just dawned on me because I am dum dum, are you talking about the stuff in a bag that claims to be live? Not actual live sand?

 

[MadReeferDoug]

 

[BZOFIQ]

This hobby requires three things besides money and space.

• patience
• patience!!
• patience!!!

Wife's approval helps a great deal but is optional.

 

[BZOFIQ]

It takes about 3-4 weeks to cycle a tank IMO, be patient, the entire hobby is all about patience.

Yup, I've been starting my latest build for 2 years

Ugly stage? - what ugly stage?

 

[FishLvR]

Yeah, that's not live sand. Not even close. I was confused but realized when you responded that it was probably this sand. Live sand would have had it cycled overnight. I mean if you really wanted to speed it up add a few cups of live sand from an established tank.