Back after 20 years - cycling advice

[gimmea250swb]

I purchased an established waterbox 60 and the prior owner sold off most of his livestock. I got it with a clown, purple tang, zoas and a Japanese toadstool which I think complicates my cycle a bit. I was able to take about 20 gallons of the old tank’s water. Up and running for 2 weeks now. Ammonia and nitrite appear to be zero and nitrates around 50 this weekend. I did a 10 gallon water change but haven’t measured again. Fish are happy and eating everything in front of them. Zoas are out. Toadstool has very short polyps that haven’t extended. Diatoms are forming.

All my reading suggests not turning on lights during cycle, but I’ve got the coral. Do I just power through as is? I have no CUC and haven’t added pods. Happy to wait through the ugly period unless things have changed in the last two decades.

I’m traveling now, but know I need to update my tank specs.

 

[griss]

Did the tank come with live rock? If so, you may have a minimal to no cycle. Since you're showing no ammonia or nitrites, I've thinking you're pretty much through the cycle if there was one.

I personally, always run the lights during a cycle. That's because I always use at least some live rock and want to provide light for any photosynthetic creatures on the rock.

If you want to be sure of the cycle, you can add a bacterial additive like Microbacter7 or similar.

 

[gimmea250swb]

Thank you sir! Yes, it came with about 30-40 lbs of LR. I added some Life Rock- where was that stuff 20 years ago?? And LEDs and Apex??? Don’t get me started…

Any guidance on when to add a CUC?