Cycling QT - am I done?

[gnashty]

I started cycling my 25 gal Eclipse about 2 weeks ago. I used 10 lb new sand (seachem pearl beach), about 20 lb fully cured LR from my DT, I used about 50% DT water and 50% new water. I put a large peice of Shrimp in about 4-5 days ago to keep the ammonia going....here are my results


AM - 0
No2 - 0
No3 - 2 ppm
PH - 8.0
Temp - 75 - low I know but I am correcting it now. will this temp dramatically affect the above numbers? I still plan on bringing up to temp and re-testing......if the params stay the same as above can i just do a 20% WC to reduce the trates and am good to go? such a noob question and I havent cycled a tank in a very long time but dont want to do anything Ill regret..

 

[gnashty]

Ive always cycled my tanks from the ground up which is really simple....wait....this is the first time I used LR and established water so Im scratching my head on when it will be done..2 weeks sounds way too short, really more like 12 days

 

[misu]

that rock probably prevented a cycle, I think you're fine

 

[cr500_af]

Agree w/Misu. My wife's tank experienced zero cycle. I used all LR from established tanks, which was in buckets of water for no more than a half hour, and 50% water from my tank.

 

[gnashty]

bratliff;536868 wrote: Assuming you saw the ammonia go up, then down while Trites went up, and then trates went up while your trites zeroed, then yes, yer cycled. Now, that doesn't mean drop in a whole school of fish, cuc, coral, etc. You've got a biological filter going but, all that means is all the right nitrating and denitrating bacteria are present. Since this will be a QT tank, I'm guessing you won't have a huge stock list, but you'll need to keep the bio filter going with something.

This was my first test so i have no idea - i set it up and left town. got back and dropped a raw shrimp in it for 4-5 days and tested. I introduced some ammonia in the shrimp and so i figured with the LR and using old water it possibly prevented a cycle.

This is a QT/Observation FOWLR only so ill probably just drop a small clown from my DT into the QT as his new home......do fish get lonely?

misu;536871 wrote: that rock probably prevented a cycle, I think you're fine

I am inclined to agree here...Ill get my temp in line and test again to make sure.

cr500_af;536879 wrote: Agree w/Misu. My wife's tank experienced zero cycle. I used all LR from established tanks, which was in buckets of water for no more than a half hour, and 50% water from my tank.

This is basically what I did and the LR was out for about 30 seconds..,

 

[mikesommers]

Agree with both of ya. I have not cycled a tank in forever. If you have good live rock your done!! I moved everything into my 90, completely cleaned the tank and replaced the substrate. Added SPS 24 hrs later. No3 did jump up to maybe 10 then back down a week after setup but no ammonia or nitrites.

misu;536871 wrote: that rock probably prevented a cycle, I think you're fine

cr500_af;536879 wrote: Agree w/Misu. My wife's tank experienced zero cycle. I used all LR from established tanks, which was in buckets of water for no more than a half hour, and 50% water from my tank.