Update on part 1

[snodine]

So it has been a little over a week since part 1 went in the tank. The rocks are taking on a lovely shade of brown which I hope is just a bit of new tank algae. Still seeing yellow ball sponges along with orange, blue, white, and the appropriately named chicken liver sponge. None of the sponges look like they are dying, some seem to be getting bigger.

I think there is a Pistol Shrimp curled up in a hole in one of the rocks. He waves menacingly at me when I shine a flashlight into his hidey hole. I spotted a Mantis Shrimp flitting out of one hole and into another in a neighboring rock. He is a big fellow - about 1.5 inches. No sign of any crabs after the few Gorilla Crabs that went into the sump on day 1. There are an assortment of Whelks that will be joining the Gorillas shortly and a couple of Keyhole Limpets. There are a number of barnacles on all the rock so I better get those Whelks relocated soon.

In the last 9 days there have been 3 days of measurable Ammonia - 2 days at .50 and one day at .25. Nothing for the last 2 days.
There has been no measurable Nitrite for 5 days.
Nitrate has been at 20 for the last 7 days.

I did about a 40% water change 6 days ago after the Ammonia hit .50. It was correctly pointed out to me that it was probably too soon to be doing a water change.

I keep expecting some major problem but so far - nothing.

Time for part 2 soon? You guys are the experts - what do you think?

 

[HowardW]

<<< In the last 9 days there have been 3 days of measurable Ammonia - 2 days at .50 and one day at .25. Nothing for the last 2 days.
There has been no measurable Nitrite for 5 days.
Nitrate has been at 20 for the last 7 days. >>>


You should have had a nitrite spike following the amm. going down to zero, and then a nitrate reading after the nitrites disappeared. Those nitrates at 20PPM also seem a bit high for a new tank with no fish but not dangerously high. water changes will help to bring them down. In any case, if both your amm. and nitrites are zero or very close and you have nitrates and all other water params are stable you have completed the initial cycle and can go ahead and put part 2 in. The brown on the rocks is most likely a diatom bloom which is normal for a new tank after cycling.