Cycled In A Week!!???!!

[blitz99]

i bought a cheap test kit from the store last night and everythign checked out.. so i figured i'd go and get a better kit today to double check... everything (color coded) matches up, but should i get my ph higher than 8.2???
dont worry, i'm gonna go slow and just add one fish... a clown...
do you think 2 clowns would tax the system too much? it's a 40 gallon with live sand, and 25lbs of live rock....
i've read that if you put clowns in together they usually do better with one another.

 

[squidd]

Have you added anything to "start" the cycle (uncured LR, dead shrimp, fish food) ???
Have you been testing and seen a rise AND fall of Ammonia or NitrIte...?
Quite possiable you haven't even "begun" a cycle yet...
Probably not a good idea to add a fish yet...:nope:

 

[blitz99]

ya, i used 2 damsels (remember, i crushed one) and uncured live rock.. and aragonite live sand that cost 35 bucks a bag. i had water tested monday and had some ammonia, so i tested again last night with the cheapy test... thats why i got the better test kit, to double check if the el cheapo was right.

 

[big911dog]

I agree with Squidd. I don't know how a cycle could possibly complete in a week. But to answer the PH, 8.2 is right where you want to keep it.
From what I know of Perc's, its best to keep a mated pair if you want multiples. Check in the clown and anenome threads.
For now though, take your time and concentrate on the cycle... It doesn't sound like ur tank is ready for fish yet. :nope:

 

[blitz99]

i may actually wait another week... i have football to watch.

 

[viper_930]

Originally posted by Big911Dog
From what I know of Perc's, its best to keep a mated pair if you want multiples.
Just a pair, not mated, would do just as well. Mated pairs tend to cost a lot of $$$.

 

[flatzboy]

You should test every couple of days to track your cycle. I also agree with squidd.

 

[firedad720]

my tank cycled in a week, i tested everyday. but i wanted to make sure and recycled with 3 dead shrimp. this time the cycle took 1 1/2 weeks. been 18 months, and not one bit of amon. or trites in that time. so yea it can happen. but unless you have been testing, i would add some dead shrimp(unless you have live fish) and recycle; testing often. add any new fish slowly. ph of 8.2 is perfict.
rick