Cycling

[Holygrail45]

Hello,

First time on Reef Central, First time Posting.

I am trying to begin the long road to a successful reef tank. Its about a 55 gallon tank that once did well for a reef set up and Im at day 12 now in the cycle process.

My question, or oddity, is that after just 11 days, I tested the water yesterday and here are the results

Ammonia: 0 ppm
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Nitrate: 10 ppm
Ph: 8.4

Most of the research I did suggested a cycle time of 3-4 weeks, and here I am on day 11.

Is it possible to cycle a tank in 11 days? I know for a reef tank I should have Nitrate levels below 1 ppm, so I'll keep on cycling....but I am curious.

Originally, I put in 3 damsels and 30 lbs of Live Rock.

After 11 days, I added 6 Turbo Snails and 6 Blue Leg Hermit Crabs.


Thanks for any and all help

 

[kravi]

Naw, I just went through the same thing you did (in a 30 gallon, though). My rock came "pre-cured" (whatever that *really* means), so my cycle was about 9 days.

I have another friend who went through the same process (with a 120 gallon monster) and his curing time was also only about 2 weeks.

Looks like you are cycled

I would recommend doing a water change to lower the nitrate amounts. They aren't really dangerous to fish at that level, but it's still a good idea. At least, until your refugium gets up to speed. It sounds great

--kravi

 

[kravi]

P.S. Welcome to the forums from another noob (I've been involved with aquariums for a couple of years, but only now am I building my *own* tank)

 

[AdidaKev]

[welcome]

Did you test at all before day 11? Did you see any spike in ammonia or nitrite? If not, the tank is most likely still uncycled.

 

[Holygrail45]

Thanks!

Thanks!

Thanks for the welcome and replies.

Adidakev,
No, I never tested before hand...should have, but never did. I'll keep looking, but figured after 11 days with 30 lbs of live rock and a few fish, there ought to be some ammonia in the tank unless ofcourse nitrite has formed...which seems to be the case. But then, nitrite was also at 0ppm.

Odd. i'll keep on checking though.

Kravi, I'll take you up on that water change suggestion.

Thanks!

 

[bertoni]

I wouldn't worry too much. If the live rock was clean when added, the tank might never show ammonia. I've had that happen more than once. It's worth waiting, though, in case something big or toxic in the live rock dies.