Tank cycling???

[SAKTEK]

Hey guys. How can you tell if your tank went through its cycle? It's been three weeks since I set up my tank, added nitrifying bacteria, added a dead shrimp to decompose. I haven't gotten an algae bloom or any algae for that matter. I remember on my previous tanks, within a couple of days I would start getting HA everywhere. I'm stumped. All the rock was dead live rock, for the exception of 4 pieces I added to the fuge, I had those four in a trash bin cycling, so any ideas. No I haven't tested my water, reason being I haven't noticed any bacteria. Also my lights on DT have been completely off. Should I turn them on?

 

[Wretch3d]

You'll see a diatom breakout, your ammonia/nitrite should read 0. Nitrates should be up a little bit. Continue with water changes until Ammona/Nitrite/Nitrate/Phosphate read 0.

 

[SAKTEK]

That's the thing, I haven't seen anything, which has me baffled. My other tanks were like clockwork.


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[Reefomeez]

The only way to know for sure is to test. If Amm & Nitrite are zero and Nitrate is more than zero then you're likely past it. You could try feeding heavy and test the next few days. If you never see amm & nitrite and your nitrates climb then it's time to buy a fish.

 

[SAKTEK]

The only way to know for sure is to test. If Amm & Nitrite are zero and Nitrate is more than zero then you're likely past it. You could try feeding heavy and test the next few days. If you never see amm & nitrite and your nitrates climb then it's time to buy a fish.

Yeah, you're right, I'll test the water. Thanks.

 

[hookedonreef-er]

Test it. Also having your lights on is what is really going to get the cycle going. If the lights have been off then the tank isn't going to bloom.

 

[SAKTEK]

Test it. Also having your lights on is what is really going to get the cycle going. If the lights have been off then the tank isn't going to bloom.

GTK... I was misinformed by LFS, saying my tank needed to cycle with lights off.

 

[phish96]

you can cycle with lights off right? the only thing is, the nitrate will be a little high and the diatoms will not start because there's no light. I say when the nitrate gets up you can start the chaeto + wc. Probably a cleaner way to cycle imo

 

[JT_W]

That's the thing, I haven't seen anything, which has me baffled. My other tanks were like clockwork.


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I had the same thing. My tank never went through a diatom bloom and it's been 5 months ( weird). My previous tank did however. I don't know if it was the preventative measures I took but happy it didn't.

 

[SAKTEK]

I had the same thing. My tank never went through a diatom bloom and it's been 5 months ( weird). My previous tank did however. I don't know if it was the preventative measures I took but happy it didn't.

I think you're right JT. Preventative measures explains a lot.

 

[JT_W]

I think you're right JT. Preventative measures explains a lot.

Yep, I also cycle this tank differently. I use the fish less cycle. The one were you add pure ammonia to 0.05 ppm and let it drop then raise it again. I think that really built up the bacteria in the tank. Took a while to cycle but that's the only way I would cycle my tank for now on.

 

[Six2seven]

Lights have nothing to do with the cycle. The cycle is the nitrogen cycle that processes bacteria from ammonia down to nitrates. lighting will only give you algae blooms. It is unnecessary to cycle with your lights on. It is just a matter of preference.

Testing your tank for ammonia nitrites and nitrates is the only way to tell. Continuing testing would have shown you the rise and fall.


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