Caltex6018
New member
Guys,
Need some advice, which I know comes in like 200 different variation on the forums J.
90G Reef Ready 48Lx18Wx24H
29G fuge
Started my reef on 3/21 and now my testing is showing cycled. Below is the bullet pointed break down.
· Day 1
o 100lbs Dry reef cleaners rock, 80lbs Dry Tropical Eden Sand, rodi water. 1.5/2inch sand bed
o Started cycle with 2 large/jumbo dinner shrimp.
o No skimmer or lights running
o Fuge running only return pump.
· Day 3-5
o Added LR from local DFWmas member "“ prob 3/5lbs, the rock went into the fuge. His tank has been up running 6/8months.
o Added one cup of live sand from his tank as well the sand went into the DT. His tank has been up running 6/8months
o Added carbon bags into the filter sock. This is where I like them for now. Long term will use another refractor if I have room or between baffles.
o Large ammonia spike
· Day 7-8
o Added large LR from Franks Tank to DT. Prob 10/12lbs, most likely not fully cured, but Frank does dip his rock in RO. Still not sure how I feel about that.
o Added 1 cup of live sand from one of his tanks.
o Add GFO via refractor
§ Franks store is solid BTW, beautiful display tanks.
· Day 10/11
o Added 2 shelf pieces of LR 7lbs from True Percula, they say fully cured J.
o Ammonia dropping and Nitrites rising
· Day 13
o Ammonia reading 0
o Nitrites reading 0
o Nitrates NO3 reading 20/30PPM
o Using API test for cycle "“ will change out and use other for PH and more advanced testing.
o Have refractometer and reading 1.023, will increase a bit.
o PH, reading low 7.9, but think it's due to cycle.
o Temp moving around a bit, but will get it steady 74/78.
o No algae blooms. No light on tank except some light from a nearby window and typical home lighting.
Did the tank cycle that quick??? I was prepared to go 8 weeks if needed. I am in no rush. I will most likely not add my LED's until May 1 and will go with 2 Gen 4 Radion.
My questions:
· Is the tank cycled or am I about to see some 2nd cycle. Just seems quick.
o If cycled I will do my 1st water change 20%
· With no fish or anything, how do I keep the good bacteria up. I'm not ready to add fish LOL or coral. Trying to stick to a budget HA!
o Should I add a small dinner shrimp to keep up the bio load
o Do not really want to ghost feed and get a ton of waste.
o I guess I could add one fish to keep the load up, but won't have LED lights for a while, unless I have to do it now.
§ Do I really need to QT my first fish. Plan to later, but not my first.
§ Recommendation on first fish in a reef. Not aggressive.
· Should I start my skimmer?
· Is it safe to add CUC and what would they eat if I have no fish or do not add any food or lights.
o Thinking of adding CUC and then week later 1st fish, but not sure what they would eat.
Those are my thoughts questions. Thanks for the advice in advance.
Need some advice, which I know comes in like 200 different variation on the forums J.
90G Reef Ready 48Lx18Wx24H
29G fuge
Started my reef on 3/21 and now my testing is showing cycled. Below is the bullet pointed break down.
· Day 1
o 100lbs Dry reef cleaners rock, 80lbs Dry Tropical Eden Sand, rodi water. 1.5/2inch sand bed
o Started cycle with 2 large/jumbo dinner shrimp.
o No skimmer or lights running
o Fuge running only return pump.
· Day 3-5
o Added LR from local DFWmas member "“ prob 3/5lbs, the rock went into the fuge. His tank has been up running 6/8months.
o Added one cup of live sand from his tank as well the sand went into the DT. His tank has been up running 6/8months
o Added carbon bags into the filter sock. This is where I like them for now. Long term will use another refractor if I have room or between baffles.
o Large ammonia spike
· Day 7-8
o Added large LR from Franks Tank to DT. Prob 10/12lbs, most likely not fully cured, but Frank does dip his rock in RO. Still not sure how I feel about that.
o Added 1 cup of live sand from one of his tanks.
o Add GFO via refractor
§ Franks store is solid BTW, beautiful display tanks.
· Day 10/11
o Added 2 shelf pieces of LR 7lbs from True Percula, they say fully cured J.
o Ammonia dropping and Nitrites rising
· Day 13
o Ammonia reading 0
o Nitrites reading 0
o Nitrates NO3 reading 20/30PPM
o Using API test for cycle "“ will change out and use other for PH and more advanced testing.
o Have refractometer and reading 1.023, will increase a bit.
o PH, reading low 7.9, but think it's due to cycle.
o Temp moving around a bit, but will get it steady 74/78.
o No algae blooms. No light on tank except some light from a nearby window and typical home lighting.
Did the tank cycle that quick??? I was prepared to go 8 weeks if needed. I am in no rush. I will most likely not add my LED's until May 1 and will go with 2 Gen 4 Radion.
My questions:
· Is the tank cycled or am I about to see some 2nd cycle. Just seems quick.
o If cycled I will do my 1st water change 20%
· With no fish or anything, how do I keep the good bacteria up. I'm not ready to add fish LOL or coral. Trying to stick to a budget HA!
o Should I add a small dinner shrimp to keep up the bio load
o Do not really want to ghost feed and get a ton of waste.
o I guess I could add one fish to keep the load up, but won't have LED lights for a while, unless I have to do it now.
§ Do I really need to QT my first fish. Plan to later, but not my first.
§ Recommendation on first fish in a reef. Not aggressive.
· Should I start my skimmer?
· Is it safe to add CUC and what would they eat if I have no fish or do not add any food or lights.
o Thinking of adding CUC and then week later 1st fish, but not sure what they would eat.
Those are my thoughts questions. Thanks for the advice in advance.
, some of your rock is cycled. You saw the cycle. You added established rock without much dying organic waste and it handled the load. Now how much bacteria has established on the new rock isn't clear, but as long as you don't increase the bioload in a hurry, I think you are fine. You don't need to add more food. Just go slow.
