well I let my tank sit for about a week with only live sand and no levels ever changed so I figured the cycled never started. Yesterday I went to my local fish store and bought some live rock to help get things moving. (pic attached)
Nice looking rock!
I love the rock they had, although last night after dark I was looking and I saw a purple and white crab, any tips to catching him with out killing him I am assuming he is bad as crabs are omnivores and he is pretty darn big.
Can you snap a picture of him? Crabs are not typically wanted in a reef system, they can eat your snails and mess with corals, but not ALL are bad. Some can be tolerable and at this point I would leave him be until he starts causing problems for you
Also are zoas ok? I thought they were initially, then I was reading online that they can be toxic and get out of control.
Many people have zoa's - and they tend to grow like wildfire from what I hear under the right conditions. There is some level of toxicity to them, but I suggest you research more on this topic.
As of this morning my ammonia is 0.25ppm nitrite 0.25ppm nitrate 3ppm and ph was at 8. so I guess my cycle is underway now. cant wait to start adding things.
Sounds like a good start! Do you have a QT? Why not get that set-up with a good first fish, and then when your cycle is completed you will have a buddy ready to put in!