How's my cycle look? Growing impatient...

rdnelson99;852356 wrote: It is nitrite not nitrate. :-). But yes that is pretty high.

At OP, did you take the shrimp out? With the levels you have I don't think you need to keep an ammonia source in the tank.


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No they are still decaying in there...

Are they dragging this out longer or what?

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+1. Absolutely no need to keep the shrimp in any longer if there is any left. I don't envy your nose when you scoop them out! Everyone is right about being patient. You will get there. Adding some live rock isn't a bad idea. It wont really be mind blowingly effective for speeding the cycle as your bacteria population is growing already but it doesnt hurt to get the colonization of the previously "dead rock" started and will add diversity to the tank. API kits are perfect for your cycle. Dirt cheap, fast, and easy. Really great accuracy or lower range readings are not necessary at this time. As for any worries about introducing nudibranches, aptasia, etc...You are dealing with live stuff from the ocean. Sooner or later you will come across them either on live rock or a coral/frag no matter how careful you are.
 
BlueSpot;852373 wrote: +1. Absolutely no need to keep the shrimp in any longer if there is any left. I don't envy your nose when you scoop them out! Everyone is right about being patient. You will get there. Adding some live rock isn't a bad idea. It wont really be mind blowingly effective for speeding the cycle as your bacteria population is growing already but it doesnt hurt to get the colonization of the previously "dead rock" started and will add diversity to the tank. API kits are perfect for your cycle. Dirt cheap, fast, and easy. Really great accuracy or lower range readings are not necessary at this time. As for any worries about introducing nudibranches, aptasia, etc...You are dealing with live stuff from the ocean. Sooner or later you will come across them either on live rock or a coral/frag no matter how careful you are.
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I agree with everything in this statement. And I slept in a Holliday Inn last night. hehehehehe
 
4-3-13

Another week has passed and nitrites are only marginally better...

Nitrite
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You took the shrimp out right? Be patient. It will happen. You will be glad you did.


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rdnelson99;854917 wrote: You took the shrimp out right? Be patient. It will happen. You will be glad you did.


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Ya. Don't I need to keep adding a source ammonia though?

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DavidinGA;854920 wrote: Ya. Don't I need to keep adding a source ammonia though?

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Nope. I assume the ammonia level is dropping right? It must be or you wouldn't have any nitrites. Now, the bacteria that consumes the nitrite needs to grow and flourish. As it does, the nitrite will state coming down while the nitrate climbs. Once you have no ammonia and no nitrite you can start doing water changes to get the nitrates as close to 0 as you can. Then you can add a fish or two.

Once a fish or two have been added you will have a continuous source of ammonia. Give the bacteria colonies time to catch up (a week or two) and add another fish. Keep doing that unroll you have the fish you want. Just don't put too many fish or fish that are not suitable for the size tank you have.

Now is a good time to research all the fish you want. Figure out what order you want to add them and post it all in this or another thread. Ask for opinions and everyone will help you make sure it all works. :-)


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See, the bacteria is doing its job. Just needs time to finish. :-)


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It's taking sooooo long I almost wish I had spent 2x as much money and went with LR to speed up the cycle.... "almost" :p

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You are almost there. I know it's a painful wait but well worth it. Think of it as a lesson in patience you need in this hobby. Slow and steady. I agree with rdnelson.Loved the Holiday Inn Express comment lol. My agreement may be a name thing too. My first name is Nelson. He is spot on about planning livestock, order of addition, and any invert/coral wants into a wishlist. You are at an exciting time with your tank. Remember that good things in a tank usually happen slowly and bad things usually happen fast.
 
Hard to say. Keep an eye on that nitrite. When it gets to 0 start doing water changes until you get your nitrate as close as possible to 0.


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or just dump in a buttload of prime lol JK dont do that itll work but its only a bandaid and itll teach you bad habits which will be your downfall. just do your waterchanges. and having carbon in the sump or in a canister or reactor will help you as well
 
Gort;852237 wrote: One thing I noticed, a little off topic. Your using an API test kit. I have seen many times people put those test kits down. I have compared them to Salifert tests and they seem to be ok to me. Close as I will ever get cause I am not a lab technician. And they are less expensive too.

I need a few tests and am out of a few. I think I will get the Saltwater Master kit like you.
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I have tested API next to seachem while using base solutions and every time API was way off. I literally tossed all my API tests absolute garbage IMO
 
BigChiquita;856120 wrote: Use Smart Start and Bacter gen-m cycled my tank in a week. every thing at 0 and got my brown algae fast.
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To each ther own but I would let nature do its thing. He has waited this long. I would hate to see him cut corners now. Remember, only bad things happen quickly in this hobby.


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