Cycling

[CholyaSaltTank]

I was wondering if someone might be able to tell me what my water parameters are supposed to be looking like after a week of live rock cycling?

Day 3

Salt 1.023

Ammonia .25ppm


Gh 180

Kh 180

Ph 7.5

No2 .5

No3 0

Day 6

Salt 1.024

Ammonia .5ppm

Gh 180

Kh 180

Ph 7.5

No2 .5

No3 0

Thank you!

 

[mcgyvr]

No..
There is no "rule of thumb"..
Some tanks cycle fast.. some take a while..
It all depends on the amount of die off,etc..

Keep going.. don't rush..

Looks like yours has just started its cycle..

 

[GimpyFin]

+1, agree with mcgyvr. Ammonia and nitrite will spike then drop off and Nitrates will start to rise. Just keep watching it.

 

[CholyaSaltTank]

Okay, thank you guys!

 

[Grimreaperz]

Yeah I am in the same boat not really sure what is going on with my tank all I know is it is sustaining life.
Couple cerith Snails
Lots of feather dusters
About 5 bristle worms that I have seen
Couple Zoa/Paly polyps I think?
and about 3 vertimid Snails.

All the above came in my live rock.

Day 1 = May 28th.
Added 4.5 lbs of LR and 40lbs of Crushed Coral with 5lbs of Live sand.
Added 75ml of Cycle.
pH 8.2


Day 2 = May 29th.
Added 1.5 ts of pH buffer as PH reading was 7.8
Added 30ml of Cycle.
Also lost about 3g of water due to filter mishap. oops Leaning Curve.

Day 3 = May 30th.
No Tests
No additions.

Day 4 = May 31st.
Added 11 lbs of LR
No Tests
Added 30ml of Cycle.

Day 5 = June 1st.
pH 8.3
Nitrites .3<
Nitrates 5
KH 120 mg/l

Day 6 = June 2nd
Added another 12lbs of LR Re-aquascaped. Lots of little critters.
pH: 8.4
Nitrites: .3<
Nitrates: 5
KH: 110 mg/l

Day 7 = June 3rd
Majorly Re-aquascaped and found final vision.
added 30 ML of Cycle
pH 8.2/3
Nitrites .3<
Nitrates 5
KH mg/l 120
Ammonia 0

Day 8 = June 4th
Played poker, no observation
pH 8.2
Nitrites
Nitrates 5
KH mg/l

Day 9 = June 5th
pH 7.9 - added tsp of buffer
added about 30ml of Cycle. 250ml Bottle finished.
Nitrites .3< (Barely Readable.)
Nitrates 5
KH mg/l 110
Ammonia 0
Calcium - 400 ish?
Did I cycle?

Day 10 = June 6th
pH 8.4
Nitrites 0
Ammonia 0
Phosphate 0
Nitrates 5 (Barely Readable would even say 0 but there was a pink tint)
KH mg/l 125

 

[mallard]

Starting out or really ever for that matter, you're going to want to avoid any kind of pH buffer. They can hide any actual issues that are going on. There can be a ton of reasons for pH could be low and you'd rather know why then hide it until it all goes down hill. 7.8 is at the bottom of the acceptable scale, but really the most important thing is consistency. Your tank will do better over time at a stable 7.8 then jumping to 8.4 -> 7.8 and back to 8.3. Spend some time and understand why pH can be low and you'll be a better reefer in the long run.

As far as the cycle, looks good, but take your time. This is one hobby where rushing (even a week or two in the beginning) can cause a lot of long-term headaches. Have you started to see diatoms yet?

 

[Grimreaperz]

Starting out or really ever for that matter, you're going to want to avoid any kind of pH buffer. They can hide any actual issues that are going on. There can be a ton of reasons for pH could be low and you'd rather know why then hide it until it all goes down hill. 7.8 is at the bottom of the acceptable scale, but really the most important thing is consistency. Your tank will do better over time at a stable 7.8 then jumping to 8.4 -> 7.8 and back to 8.3. Spend some time and understand why pH can be low and you'll be a better reefer in the long run.

As far as the cycle, looks good, but take your time. This is one hobby where rushing (even a week or two in the beginning) can cause a lot of long-term headaches. Have you started to see diatoms yet?

Some of the LR I got had some on it but nothing noticeable.

I am going to wait the full 4 weeks, and I will stop adding buffer. not sure why the LFS keeps recommending me use it..... TBH my tap water come out at 7.9 and I have been using that for my water with conditioner of course. I live in BC Canada we have some of the cleanest water in the world. they do add chlorine though so I let it sit for a day before I add it to the tank. If I see it to become a major problem in the future. I will purchase an RO system. Need a better light though first.

I just don't understand what the Bacteria has to breakdown if there is nothing to decay?

 

[mallard]

You mentioned that you've got LR and there are snails, worms, feather dusters, etc that you've seen. All of those live organisms are releasing ammonia which the bacteria consume and break down into nitrite and nitrates. There are likely a ton of microfauna which you may not even see such as pods and other organisms. All of these things are releasing ammonia as they live and die. The bacteria are attempting to get into an equilibrium so that there are enough to consume the nutrients being expelled and the next type of bacteria is in check to consume what the first bunch did (very simplified, read up on the nitrogen cycle if you haven't yet). So while you don't "see" much, there is a ton of things going on in the water. That's why it's best to wait and give it time.

 

[Grimreaperz]

You mentioned that you've got LR and there are snails, worms, feather dusters, etc that you've seen. All of those live organisms are releasing ammonia which the bacteria consume and break down into nitrite and nitrates. There are likely a ton of microfauna which you may not even see such as pods and other organisms. All of these things are releasing ammonia as they live and die. The bacteria are attempting to get into an equilibrium so that there are enough to consume the nutrients being expelled and the next type of bacteria is in check to consume what the first bunch did (very simplified, read up on the nitrogen cycle if you haven't yet). So while you don't "see" much, there is a ton of things going on in the water. That's why it's best to wait and give it time.

Yeah I have read up and understand the nitrogen cycle.
I am thinking I only had a small one due to the following.

1.) Adding live sand into my dead crushed coral bed.
2.) adding LR (have about 27 lbs)
3.) adding a full 250ml Bottle of Cycle.

Last night I saw an amazing amount of life after lights out came back with a flashlight and wow!!! Lots of Life after dark.

Thanks for that I was confused by that. I thought the feather dusters worms etc were the ones releasing Nitrates, not ammonia/nitrites. that makes more sense.

Should I not do any WC or top off's during this time period? after some evap and testing my water level has come down.

 

[mallard]

I would continue to top off the tank to keep the salinity consistent. There are differing opinions if you should do a WC during a cycle or not. Since you already have a good amount of life in the tank, a small 10 - 20% WC probably wouldn't be bad. Also, it looks like you've gotten through the cycle, so a small WC will remove some of the nitrates. What you don't want to do, unless necessary, is a major WC. While most of the bacteria live on the surfaces of the tank, they are also present in the water column.

 

[Grimreaperz]

I would continue to top off the tank to keep the salinity consistent. There are differing opinions if you should do a WC during a cycle or not. Since you already have a good amount of life in the tank, a small 10 - 20% WC probably wouldn't be bad. Also, it looks like you've gotten through the cycle, so a small WC will remove some of the nitrates. What you don't want to do, unless necessary, is a major WC. While most of the bacteria live on the surfaces of the tank, they are also present in the water column.

Awesome thanks for the info!

I will do a top off tonight. and check the water through the week and maybe do a 10-15% WC on the weekend.

Maybe a pure Ammonia Dose to see how fast it gets consumed would be a good idea to test?

 

[mcgyvr]

Awesome thanks for the info!

I will do a top off tonight. and check the water through the week and maybe do a 10-15% WC on the weekend.

Maybe a pure Ammonia Dose to see how fast it gets consumed would be a good idea to test?

Don't add ammonia.. Your tank is doing fine..
Its cycled already but may not have sufficient bacterial to process large additions to the tank yet..
Just go slow.. don't chase PH.. Top off with fresh water (no salt in it) to account for evaporation (the salt doesn't evaporate)..
Perform regular water changes.. (maybe 10-20% every 2 weeks)..

water changes should keep everything where it needs to be cal/mag/ph wise..
Don't fall for the "magic in a bottle"

 

[JMorris271]

While most of the bacteria live on the surfaces of the tank, they are also present in the water column.

Bacteria live in the water column but not in effective quantities. It's mostly nitrates. They do inhabit every surface in the tank including algae if given enough time.

 

[Grimreaperz]

Don't add ammonia.. Your tank is doing fine..
Its cycled already but may not have sufficient bacterial to process large additions to the tank yet..
Just go slow.. don't chase PH.. Top off with fresh water (no salt in it) to account for evaporation (the salt doesn't evaporate)..
Perform regular water changes.. (maybe 10-20% every 2 weeks)..

water changes should keep everything where it needs to be cal/mag/ph wise..
Don't fall for the "magic in a bottle"

Okay thank you man! yeah I saw a 1" brittle star scooting around my live rock today! made me really happy to see that type of life in there and i have seen about a 2" bristle worm, among many many other things. My poly/zoa is doing great.

I did top off with salt I had no idea or even thought of that. I will be doing a water change in the next couple days and the SG is only about 1.026 right now. Thanks for the advice I greatly appreciate it. Can I ask one more question?

What do people use for their Calcium/Mag tests......I have Hagen Nutrafin Calcium Test and its so frustrating....got up to 44 drops one day and just gave up.....or is it possible to have Calcium through the roof like that and is it bad?

 

[CrayolaViolence]

If you start with live rock, live sand, and balanced water, what does cycling gain you? I'm just really curious out the process, as I've seen so many opinions on it.

 

[JMorris271]

Cycling happens when microbes are created and populate on a host surface where the cycle occurs again and again until there is a balance between the ammonia produced and the microbes consuming it. Unless you have a good population of bios living in your tank, they cannot process all of the toxins and the life in your tank will die. That is the gain.

 

[CrayolaViolence]

Cycling happens when microbes are created and populate on a host surface where the cycle occurs again and again until there is a balance between the ammonia produced and the microbes consuming it. Unless you have a good population of bios living in your tank, they cannot process all of the toxins and the life in your tank will die. That is the gain.

Isn't that the whole reason to start with live rock, live sand, and to seed the water with microorganisms?

 

[mcgyvr]

Isn't that the whole reason to start with live rock, live sand, and to seed the water with microorganisms?

Even "live rock" and "live sand" will have some die off from transportation,etc....
But yes starting with stuff that already has sufficient "bacteria" on it and not much dead particulates you will/may have a very short cycle if any..
In general a tank is "cycled" once its consuming any ammonia through to nitrate in a very short time and can do so very quickly.. Before it has a chance to harm any inhabitants/build to "dangerous" levels..

 

[mcgyvr]

What do people use for their Calcium/Mag tests......I have Hagen Nutrafin Calcium Test and its so frustrating....got up to 44 drops one day and just gave up.....or is it possible to have Calcium through the roof like that and is it bad?

Red Sea kits here and very happy with them in the past..
Some salt brands can have high cal/mag from the start..
I'm a reef crystals salt guy and don't measure really anything anymore..

I'm back to basics now though.. Maybe just experienced enough that I know what it takes so I don't need to measure anything anymore.. But as a "newbie" I wouldn't worry about cal or mag for a while..
nitrates sure.. everything else.. nah..just wasting time/money given you are doing water changes.. 15-20% every 2 weeks

 

[Grimreaperz]

Red Sea kits here and very happy with them in the past..
Some salt brands can have high cal/mag from the start..
I'm a reef crystals salt guy and don't measure really anything anymore..

I'm back to basics now though.. Maybe just experienced enough that I know what it takes so I don't need to measure anything anymore.. But as a "newbie" I wouldn't worry about cal or mag for a while..
nitrates sure.. everything else.. nah..just wasting time/money given you are doing water changes.. 15-20% every 2 weeks

Awesome! I use instant ocean and kinda eye ball it. Still figuring out exact portions. I ordered API calc test just because. And this weekend will mark 2 weeks. I will be doing a 5g water change. Maybe even instead do 5-10 weekly

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