HELP!!!- Tank Cycling??

[ATVRACER142]

I just set up a nano 12G - I added about 10-15 lbs of live rock and 20 lbs. of live sand - the rock was fully cured. My question is how long for my tank to cycle - the ammonia rasied to .50 in the first 3-4 days as well as the nitrites to .25 - I check the water 3 days later and no more ammonia and nitrites???? so I waited 2 or 3 days and tested again - still nothing. Also the Ph was low I buffered every other day and it is almost perfect - Also there is a large feather duster that came on one the live rock - its doing fine. CAN I ADD FISH - or should I see if it may spike again???? :hmmmm:

 

[temec_lover]

i would add a cuc and wait a week

 

[ATVRACER142]

Whats a cuc???

 

[epicfish]

Clean up crew.

 

[ATVRACER142]

Ahhh - Ok some cheapo snails and some hermies - Sweet thanks guys - My LFS told me throw my black clown in there and things will be fine - but I thought it was kind of quick for the tank to cycle and I didnt want to kill my fish. Thanks for the good advise!!!!

 

[nahtanoj]

when you add a fish, you will get a spike. this is normal, you just need to keep up on your water change, and monitor levels and the fish to ensure its not being stressed. you mentioned ammonia and nitrites, what is your nitrate level at? that is a concern now the cycle is done. i would do a 10% water change now as well, that should deal with the nitrates for the most part.

 

[newnanoboy]

my 28g cycled pretty quick too. even though my levels were fine after the second week, i waited until 4 weeks to start adding livestock just to be on the safe side. i didn't have a hard cycle like i was expecting, probably because i used cured rock from my existing tank like you did. just be patient and don't throw your black clown in yet.

 

[ivgonmad]

i would do a 10% water change now as well, that should deal with the nitrates for the most part.

hmmm, a 10% water change will remove only 10% of the nitrates in the tank right?

 

[FOSELONE]

add a cheapee damsel or two...only 3 bucks...

 

[nahtanoj]

with a small spike a 10% water change should be plenty. yes it removes 10% of the nitrates, but it is then diluted by the addition of clean water, so you really end up lowering your ppm by more than 10%, does that make sense? i'm tired and don't feel like breaking out the mathematical equations on it.

 

[ATVRACER142]

Yeah - I got it - I am going to test my Nirates right now. Yeah plus this water smells to high heaven. I will do the 10% water change and add a CUC - then check everything again monday - see where I am. I think I am going to hold off on fish till at least next weekend, maybe even the following week. Again thanks for the second opinion - the LFS didnt make me feel that safe of just throwning them in there - this seems much more logical

 

[newnanoboy]

my lfs told me the same, but i decided against it...

 

[ATVRACER142]

I think I am getting another 12G today

 

[ATVRACER142]

Hmm - no Nitrates. I am not running the nano media - I just have the back filled with live rock and one of there sponges to collect the derbis. I not even running any carbon. Should I run some carbon at least??

Thanks

 

[d34532]

Depending on how much LR and LS your cycle can be greatly reduce to no time at all. The key is planning your livestock and GO SLOWLY with adding livestock.

Demon/devil fish are all fine and cheap if you like them but know that they are no damsel as to their namesake. With your size tank that will probably be the only fish your going to keep unless you get larger and meaner fish. *note you might get lucky and get a friendly damsel but not chance is low in my book*

I wouldn't get any fish for the soul reason because its cheapo fish but will bite you in the *** later when you want to remove it because you can't keep what other fish you want. Why not plan what livestock you want to keep since your going to be pretty limited in space. If you place exactly what you want now you provent tankmate conflict later.

I don't have one of those nano anymore but if I were to have one I would remove all most media from the back since I have found those built in filter is the collecting spot for gunk. If you have the space I would get 1 or 2 reactor like the viaqua or twin fish (media/phos) and run it in the back or end it under the desk. A nano skimmer like the TAAM nano skimmer is also great for the price just have to keep you water lvl at the "sweet spot". If you have the money there at better nano skimmer out there but they are around 2 or 3 times the cost.