Cycle paused ?

[yusor]

Hello all..

I started my tank a week ago..
started the cycle readings 3 days ago and everyday it doesn't change...

Ammonia: 1 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 5 ppm


Info:
Bio filtration and carbon
Skimmer
Heater : 80 F
Power head for circulation/ waves and oxygen

Crushed coral bed (dry)
A mix of dry rock and live rock

I would say 90% of what came with the live rock are fine .. bristle starfish, urchin, snails and hermits ... am not feeding them, should I add food ?

Maybe the bacteria is not enough to convert Ammonia to Nitrite ?

What should I do ?


Thanks in advance

 

[mcgyvr]

You just need to wait..
There is nothing you need to do at this point except for top off evaporation with fresh water (not saltwater..as salt doesn't evaporate)

 

[thegrun]

It usually takes around 3 weeks before you start to see ammonia being converted to nitrites, as posted above, relax, have a beer!

 

[Ab129]

I have a very similar question so I will ask it here. Hope that's ok and sorry, if it's not. Dosed ammonia up to 2 ppm on 8/27
On 9/14 ammonia @ 0. Nitrites 5. Nitrates 10.
Since then I have only been checking nitrites waiting for them to go down to zero. And they have remained pretty much unchanged.
I have not added anything since 8/27. Only been testing.

 

[mcgyvr]

I have a very similar question so I will ask it here. Hope that's ok and sorry, if it's not. Dosed ammonia up to 2 ppm on 8/27
On 9/14 ammonia @ 0. Nitrites 5. Nitrates 10.
Since then I have only been checking nitrites waiting for them to go down to zero. And they have remained pretty much unchanged.
I have not added anything since 8/27. Only been testing.

Same answer...
Wait longer..
In general expect a min of 4 weeks to cycle a tank when starting with dry rock..

Once your nitrites drop to zero then your tank is cycled.. Until then its just a waiting game..

 

[Ab129]

Thank you.

 

[thegrun]

...but since your ammonia dropped to zero you are entitled to upgrade to premium beer while you wait!

 

[Ab129]

Woo hoo!

 

[yusor]

Thanks all !

 

[mcgyvr]

...but since your ammonia dropped to zero you are entitled to upgrade to premium beer while you wait!

ID check first of course..

 

[kozmic]

I always ghost feed the tank a little bit of food every couple of days...and use a bacteria starter (I use MicroBacter7). But you still need to wait and keep monitoring each week.