Has my tank finished his cycled?

[polancoeddie1]

Been running my tank for 2 weeks now. Its a 29g biocube with 25 pounds of live rock that I got from another tank that's been up and running for 2 years, 20lb of live sand and saltwater from my lfs. PH is at 8.2, amonia 0, nitrite 0, and nitrate at 20ppm. I was going to wait 1 more week to see if everything stays the same. Then do a 10% water change and add a clownfish. I was thinking of adding my protein skimmer to get the nitrate down. What do you guys think? I am a newbie and trying to get this right. Heres a pic of my test results not sure if im reading it right..

 

[m0nkie]

if you want to be sure, get your tank to 2ppm of ammonia. see if it's gone within 24hrs. If it is, you are good to go

 

[polancoeddie1]

 

[polancoeddie1]

Ok ill try that.. should I add the protein skimmer before I add a fish ?

 

[Titans_Reef]

You dont need a protein skimmer for a tank that small but if you want to add one you can. Just do water changes every week or 2 to keep the nitrates in check. In my 14g biocube I had a InTank media basket using chemipure elite, purigen, and filter floss. I never had an issue with nitrates or anything else in particular. I did my WC every month since it was a FOWLR but once I did it into a reef, I did WC every week to keep the cal, alk, mag and other stuff up.

 

[polancoeddie1]

Yeah I bought the chemi pure elite and purigen. Havent opened it yet. Any recommendations when to add them in. Also how to place them in? Do I just lay them flat on top of each other in the bottom of the filter floss?

 

[thegrun]

I would make a major water change (50%+) to bring down the nitrates. The skimmer will help reduce future nitrates from forming by removing protiens, but will not help your current nitrate levels. As for the chemi pure elite and purigen, if you don't have a reactor place them in a high flow area of your sump. Your filters need to be cleaned every 3-4 days or they will also start to increase your nitrates.

 

[Titans_Reef]

Look into getting a InTank media basket or making one for yourself. It worked out great for me. I placed chemipure in the lower chamber, then purigen in the middle, and the filter floss on the top. Like thegrun said, change out the filter floss every 3-4 days or it will increase your nitrates. I loved the InTank media basket since it redirected the flow in the middle chamber to go through the basket. I would just rinse out the chemipure elite in either old saltwater when doing a water change or with RO/DI water. Same with the purigen before adding them into your tank which it doesnt matter what time you place it inside.

http://shop.mediabaskets.com/Coralife-Biocube-29-Media-Basket-CL29MR.htm