Cycling

[jlw9406]

Hi, new to this hobby and am in need of advice, I have a 55gal tank with a hang on the back skimmer and a cannister filter. I have a Current Orbit Marine LED light. The water temp is around 80, varies from 78-81 so I will get another heater to see if I can make it more constant. I use API saltwater master test kit for testing. I have water and bulk rock in the tank since the beginning of feb. I added two live rocks, middle of feb. I have tested the water each week to see if cycling has occurred but only got 0 on all tests except ph which was 7.8-8.0 and the salinity was 1.026 according to my Coral Life deep six hydrometer, water I use is Publix Purified water (I don't have access to anything else yet), and Instant ocean reef crystals and I think that's all the information I know to give. Just today the ammonia test revealed between .50-1.0 ppm and this leads to my question finally...does this mean the tank is FINALLY beginning to cycle?

 

[thegrun]

Yes, the presence of ammonia indicates the cycle has started. You could add a dead raw shrimp to speed things along and give you a stronger cycle. I would not worry about the fluctuations in water temperature. Adding another heater isn't necessary unless you cannot keep the water temperature above 75.

 

[jlw9406]

Thank you, can you give me an idea on some of the other chemical changes that will happen? So I know what to look for...

 

[JUNBUG361]

Ammonia will increase, nitrite will increase & nitrate will also increase. You'll see ammonia decrease & nitrite towards the end of the cycle. Water change will need to be done to lower your nitrate levels. A constant test will help. Plus welcome to the club

 

[jlw9406]

Thanks a bunch, will keep testing and plugging along, do I need to add any chemicals?

 

[btb72]

Congrats on starting the process! It's a fun hobby that you will learn a lot doing. Please ask questions here and don't always listen to one person haha. Have you watched the bulkreefsupply YouTube series 52 weeks of reefing? They give a lot of good information.

 

[btb72]

Especially on the cycling of a tank

 

[JUNBUG361]

:beerYou could add chemical if you like or just let be. Others have different opinions/approach in cycling. It's just patience now

 

[jlw9406]

Ok thanks

 

[btb72]

I added biospira and it worked great. 6 days in and my cycle is almost complete.

 

[jlw9406]

Read numerous books and posts and articles and have information overload, so I figure I will ask questions when they arise, then the information is current and relevant, and I listen to all answers, and learn something from each, once you think u know it all, your always proven wrong

 

[FattyK21]

Just saw another guys post about cycling so i figured id share what i did too
I used this stuff off amazon
Buy this one time and you'll be able to use it for every tank you ever have from now on lol