Fish Only Tank Advice & Opinions Needed

[Foxglow]

Hello Folks, I have been away from marines for about 6yrs and just recently got the bug back and have started up a FO tank (no live rock) am using Live sand. This is my setup:

Juwel Vision 260
Juwel Bioflow 6 Internal Filter
Eheim Classic 2217 External Filter
Deltec MCE600 Skimmer
2 X Koralia 4000 evolution circulation piumps
8kg of Tropical Marine Gravel(fine0
20 pounds of Aragnite Live sand
Using Tropic Marine Salt with RO water made with a Deltec 50 RO unit.

The tank was started up on Sunday 24th June 2012, less than 2 weeks ago, so I am finding it a bit strange with regards to my readings. According to what I have recorded over the past 2 weeks and what I am now seeing in the tank, it is cycled, or is it? Thats what Im asking advice about, and would appreciate any input you guys may have. Am using Tetra Test kits and refractometer.

The following is my test results from start up:

Sunday 24th June started tank up, all filters, skimmer too, (to bed in as new) with rocks and substrate total volume of water ended up at 50.5 UK Gals. Also in tank is an Eheim Biopower 200 internal fliter to be seeded for my QT.

25/6/12:
Temp: 79F
SG : 1.024
Ammonia:: 0.25ppm
Nitrite : 0
nitrate: 10
PH : 8.2

28/6/12:
Temp: 80F
SG: 1.024
Ammonia: 0.25ppm
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 10
PH: 8.2

29/6/12:
Temp: 80F
SG: 1.024
Ammonia 0
Nitrite: 0.25ppm
Nitrate: 25
PH: 8.2

30/6/12:
Temp: 80F
SG: 1.024
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0.3ppm
Nitrate: 20
PH: 8.2

2/7/12:
Temp 80F
SG: 1.024
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0.3ppm
Nitrate: 20
PH: 8.3

4/7/12:
Temp 80F
SG: 1.024
Ammonia 0
Nitrite: 0.2ppm
Nitrate: 20
PH: 8.3

Today: 6/7/12
Temp: 80F
Ammonia 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 15
PH: 8.3

Also from 4/7/12 I am seeing the light touches of Algea appearing, I have taken some photo's with my mobile and hopefully you can advise on what you see. Hey LOL it's not a pure reef okay, and I have some fake stuff in there, but I like it :fun4:

Tank at start up:

Algea growth as of today:

What do you guys think? Is it cycled?

I have also been feeding a ghost fish with flakes since day 1, once a day. I have never seen a tank cycle this fast so I am not too sure, I'm still going to carry on as I usually do and give the tank another 2 weeks at least before starting with a CUC.

Any comments or opinions will be most appreciated :love1:

Foxy

 

[namxas]

How long does it take for your tank to process a ghost feeding (ammonia, nitrite = 0 ppm)?

 

[dzfish17]

I think I would up the amount of ammonia (food)... the reason I say to add more food is because you never really had an elevated ammonia level. I think the other poster is going in the same direction... get the ammonia up and see how long it takes for the tank to process it.

 

[rachenbrazil]

Live sand would fast up your cyclying but would wait and check readings for at least 1 more week.

 

[Foxglow]

How long does it take for your tank to process a ghost feeding (ammonia, nitrite = 0 ppm)?

Hmm, good point namxas, thanks did not think to do that :hmm6: Will give that a test today.

@ Dzfish, thanks good idea too, will do that too.

@ rachenbrazil thanks for the input, I am not in any rush so will keep testing for another 2 weeks anyhow

Thanks guys much appreciated the help.

Foxy