Cycle question
- Thread starter paindocc
- Start date
IIRC algae will take a couple weeks. Also, your levels will be fine at the beginning. They you will get nitrates first, then nitrites, then they should go down.
I think I'm right about the nitrates then nitrites, it might be the other way around, its been a while.
Tyler
I think I'm right about the nitrates then nitrites, it might be the other way around, its been a while.
Tyler
Silly question, but do you have anything like fish in there that will produce ammonia to start a 'cycle'? Also, did you buy 'fresh' live rock, or was it bought already cycled, like from someone elses tank? It would help to know. Thx
The rocks came from a store called fish scales. Its great rock it came from their tanks. It has a lot of purple in it. Its been about 1 week now. I have no fish in the tank. I just tested my levels. Every thing was zero. Someone told me to put some shrimp in a bag and place it in the tank. but basically I am just waiting....
Just discussing this in another thread-
Here is a method for 'fishless cycling'. You need a source off ammonia to get things going and drive the development of bacteria populations that will keep everything healthy long term. Good link to read.
http://www.simplydiscus.com/library/biology/nitrogen_cycle/fishless_cycle.shtml">http://www.simplydiscus.com/library/biology/nitrogen_cycle/fishless_cycle.shtml</a>
Get 'clear' or 'pure' ammonia (not spirits, or with surfactants, fragrance, etc.) You can sometimes find it at Ace Hardwware, or other hardware stores.
Also, I use a bacterial starter culture called Fritz-zyme #9. A lot of products claim they work, this is the only one I know that does consistently. You can cycle in 5 days, instead of 4-6 weeks.
[IMG]http://www.fritzzyme.com/">http://www.fritzzyme.com/</a>
I use the combination of adding the ammonia and then the culture. Follow directions in the article and you will have a great bacterial population for nitrogen processing (ammonia>nitrite>nitrate). Just remember these are aerobic processes and require a LOT of oxygen, so keep the tank heavily aerated.
You can still use this method, just don't add fish yet. If you already have fish, don't add the ammonia, just the Fritz-zyme. Follow the directions.
Good luck, welcome to the hobby, and keep us posted of progress.
Here is a method for 'fishless cycling'. You need a source off ammonia to get things going and drive the development of bacteria populations that will keep everything healthy long term. Good link to read.
http://www.simplydiscus.com/library/biology/nitrogen_cycle/fishless_cycle.shtml">http://www.simplydiscus.com/library/biology/nitrogen_cycle/fishless_cycle.shtml</a>
Get 'clear' or 'pure' ammonia (not spirits, or with surfactants, fragrance, etc.) You can sometimes find it at Ace Hardwware, or other hardware stores.
Also, I use a bacterial starter culture called Fritz-zyme #9. A lot of products claim they work, this is the only one I know that does consistently. You can cycle in 5 days, instead of 4-6 weeks.
[IMG]http://www.fritzzyme.com/">http://www.fritzzyme.com/</a>
I use the combination of adding the ammonia and then the culture. Follow directions in the article and you will have a great bacterial population for nitrogen processing (ammonia>nitrite>nitrate). Just remember these are aerobic processes and require a LOT of oxygen, so keep the tank heavily aerated.
You can still use this method, just don't add fish yet. If you already have fish, don't add the ammonia, just the Fritz-zyme. Follow the directions.
Good luck, welcome to the hobby, and keep us posted of progress.
Also, later on after tank has cycled, your nitrate will begin to gradually rise. Don't need to worry about it now, but you may start reading up on ways to manage that. At the risk of opening a can of worms here, I will say most people just do water changes. There are several different methods you may</em> employ, but you have time to learn/study your options. Your background in biology/chemistry/physics will help you digest all of this. I have a list of great web articles you can read, if interested.
?:huh:?
First comes ammonia, then nitrite, and then nitrates (much, much later does nitrates pose an issue)
All this is probably moot as, if the rock is cured, he'll have no discernible cycle, just start your livestock list off slowly and give the newly established biological filter time to grow with your livestock. Adding too many fish at once could certainly throw you into a cycle, but this can happen even on a more established system.
