Cycling ?

[ReefDreamz]

So I added the first part of my package on Monday night. Its been almost 4 days now and I still havent gotten a significant ammonia spike. I am using a salifert ammonia test kit and every time I test its always less than .25 (the loswet reading the test provides). Does this sound normal?

P.S. I've seen 2 starfish, a donkey dung cuc and a pretty big gorilla crab plus some smaller crabs. Havent seen a mantis YET. The tank is really clear and looks awesome.

-Cody

 

[dklaue]

Hi ReefDreamz,

I started mine on Saturday morning, and also have not had any ammonia reading above the 0.25 mark. I have seen no die off of anything including sponges, so if your sponges are good, I don't think you will see much of a spike. My Nitrites are also low at 0.1, but my Nitrates are up at 20 so the cycle is working, and I expect to see the Nitrates go down soon also.

 

[ReefDreamz]

Ok thanks. Ya I have also not seen any die off. If I never see any ammonia then how do I know when the tank has completed the cycle?

 

[Amyandlars]

4 days is long enough for ammonia spike. If you haven't really seen it, then well you just don't have it. Alot of people have said that they did not get ammonia over .25 ppm. Mine hit .5ppm for 1 day and that was even with a power outage for 6+ hours.
The bacteria is already in the rock and sand, so 99% of the time your already starting out with what you need. But yeah it does seem too easy doesn't it?

 

[Amyandlars]

4 days is long enough for ammonia spike. If you haven't really seen it, then well you just don't have it. Alot of people have said that they did not get ammonia over .25 ppm. Mine hit .5ppm for 1 day and that was even with a power outage for 6+ hours.
The bacteria is already in the rock and sand, so 99% of the time your already starting out with what you need. But yeah it does seem too easy doesn't it?

 

[ReefDreamz]

Ya it seems way too easy. Especially after reading tons of posts where people cycle for like weeks or months. So I guess im ready for part 2. Thanks for the info.

 

[figuerres]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9669523#post9669523 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefDreamz
Ya it seems way too easy. Especially after reading tons of posts where people cycle for like weeks or months. So I guess im ready for part 2. Thanks for the info.

when folks start with a bare tank, a bag of sand and some dead rocks then it does need weeks / months to cycle.

if you sawp the "dead rock" with live rock that has been in and out of the water and packed in news paper etc... then you get a tad better.....

if you have "wet sand" that is supposed to be live that might help..

but with the way richard packs all that water and sand and rock you cut way down on the cycle cause now all you have to do is watch for any decay and "Incoulate" the new tank and water with a good load of plankton and bactiera.....

and of course the shipping process can go well -- no damgae etc...
or not so good, broken bag, sponge gets dry etc...
so YMMV as they say.