Cycled, lights on for 3 weeks, no algae bloom?

[Tin Man]

After I cycled my BioCube, I turned on the lights and had the expected algae bloom. Then I introduced the CUC and proceeded from there,

On the 125 (live rock, sand, 850gph external pump, heaters 78*), I have been cycling with the frozen shrimp method for literally months (tossing in new shrimp when prior shrimp was used up). I finally purchased some LEDs, skimmer, and powerheads. With the LEDs (2x300 Watt Mars) powered up at 50% (8 hours white, 10 hours blue) for 3+ weeks now, I have yet to see a diatom bloom. All water params are spot on with low nitrates. The one thing that is new is the sandbed appears to have trapped gas that releases a bubble here and there rather frequently. What is this gas and do I worry about it before adding CUC. Without algae bloom, should I go ahead with CUC anyway? Okay to add livestock?

 

[WWIII]

What did your initial ammonia and nitrite spIke to? I don't think you necessarily have to get a diatom bloom to be confident in your cycle, but it is kinda strange not to see atleast a little bit of diatoms? I just finished cycling a 200 gallon tank and didn't really have a bloom, but I could see a little here and there. I also ran without lights for 7 weeks, the fish and a few snails have been moved over from my old tank and are happy and healthy now for 2 weeks. I would maybe get a second test done of the tank water just to be sure, but I would trust my testing for the cycle not whether or not there's a diatoms bloom.

What type of sand did you use and what depth? Not really sure what the bubbles are?

 

[JohnnyHildo]

i had a similar experience when i cycled mine but it didn't last forever

 

[Tin Man]

What did your initial ammonia and nitrite spIke to? I don't think you necessarily have to get a diatom bloom to be confident in your cycle, but it is kinda strange not to see atleast a little bit of diatoms? I just finished cycling a 200 gallon tank and didn't really have a bloom, but I could see a little here and there. I also ran without lights for 7 weeks, the fish and a few snails have been moved over from my old tank and are happy and healthy now for 2 weeks. I would maybe get a second test done of the tank water just to be sure, but I would trust my testing for the cycle not whether or not there's a diatoms bloom.

What type of sand did you use and what depth? Not really sure what the bubbles are?

There is a little bit of brown here and there, but not like I had on the BioCube.

The sand has been in for months now, caribsea seaflor special grade, and is about 2-3" deep. You can see lots of bubbles in the sand bed where it meets the front and bubbles continually trickle up.

 

[Tin Man]

i had a similar experience when i cycled mine but it didn't last forever

Yeah, I think I will proceed with CUC and maybe a few corals. Not ready to QT fish until after a planned May vacation.