water testing

[dockmasterjc]

I have have my tank up and running for close to a month now and have never seen a cycle. I have have only 20# of LR and 20# base. My ph is 8.2, and ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite are always 0. Is this normal? the rock was fully cured when I bought it. Just a few hermits and no fish yet.

 

[Blown 346]

It is possible for you to have skipped the cycle, it sounds like you have really good liverock and it had enough bacteria colonized on and in it to not cause a cycle.
Since it has been stabile, I would ad your cleanup crew, check the levels again after a day or two.
If all still looks good, add a fish or a coral if you have the proper lighting. Wait again for a few days, do a test.
Keep doing this method for a month or two so the system can adjust to the new load of the animal added.

 

[AllenFord_SC]

Have you been testing from day 1? What kind of test kit are you using? I would wait a few more weeks before adding any fish to be on the safe side and even then only add one and monitor your parameters closely.

 

[atkinsg]

I used cured rock to start my tank and I didn't get the classic ammonia increase, then nitrite increase, then nitrate increase cycle either. If you are feeding the tank and you don't see ammonia or nitrites, I think you're good to go.

 

[dockmasterjc]

i am using one of those Master Test kits, I added the hermits 2 weeks ago. So I guess I am at a month and a half with very similar results.

 

[Blown 346]

I think you are fine, just add slow and test every couple of days after a new arrival.

 

[dockmasterjc]

thanks, I have been making 5-10 gallon water changes and my live rock has tons of critters all are doing fine. I am thinking of trying 2 perculas and maybe an anenome.

 

[Blown 346]

I would wait on the Anemone for atleast 6 months. They require alot of light and very good water chemistry. They are real sensitive to all water conditions and can quickly die if not in the right environment