breeding bacteria

[hookedonreefs]

During the cycling process should you leave your lights on or leave them off. I've left mine off during the first week, but have not seen any change in my cycle. This week I am trying with the lights on.
Can anyone just ask the ammonia-eating bacteria in their tank what they prefer. I've asked mine and heard no response. I figure they are either pissed, not there, or they don't know English
Thanks

 

[logan15]

it dosent really matter either way the nitrites"ammonia-eating bacteria" will come some tank longer than others how long have you had your tank running so far?
Logan

 

[hookedonreefs]

NO KIDDING Kipass! Stench has me on the couch for over a week now. - Wife not happy - LOL
I really hope the stench goes away. To answer the questions here's the story. Added three BIG shrimp and a bottle of stress-zyme on 3-23, took two out on 3-25. Took the last one out 3-30. On 3-25 ammonia was at approx. 1.5 - 2.0. On 3-26 I got an ammonia spot-check circle that tells when ammonia is "alert,warning, or toxic". 3-30 it was at approx. 3.0. It is still at toxic as of this morning so I haven't rechecked.
Also, I added salt on 3-26. sg at 1.020. So that''s the view of how long the tank has been running, and also how I'm cycling. Oh yeah, two days after I put the salt in, the shrimp was floating normal?
Lastly, correct me if I'm wrong logan, but isn't NO2 or nitrites the by-product of the bacteria that eats the ammonia? Not arguing, just asking for clarification.
Thanks!

 

[pigeoncreek1]

Ammonia is converted to Nitrite(NO2), then to Nitrate(NO3). Once your biological filter catches up, you will notice a decrease in ammonia, and an increase in Nitrites. When the Nitrite level comes down, you should see a spike in Nitrates. Your cycle is nearly completed at this point. Once the Nitrates hit a safe level, youre in business!
HTH

 

[hookedonreefs]

Thanks Kipass, I do know about the skimmer, it's been off the whole time. As for circulation, I was running the powerheads and sump pump last week, but I think one ph is too low. Lots of sand kicked up and it's all cloudy again. I'm giving it a day or two to settle before I turn the main pump on. Once the cycle's done is the stench done too? Oh please oh please...
pigeoncrrek1 - thanks for the refresher on cycling. Don't really know why I got that, but I guess it's never bad to read it again from time to time. If it's from the NO2 question in my last post - that was a result of logan seeming to assert that nitrites were "ammonia-eating bacteria", and I always thought nitrites were the by-product of "ammonia-eating bacteria". I was looking for a clarification on that.
Anywho, thanks to you both.

 

[logan15]

I always thought that the nitrites where the ammonia eating bacteria but I guess I was wrong Thanks for the refresh on the cycle stages I guess we all cant be right everytime
Logan