Cycling 2 weeks is this possible?

[trish&dave]

Back again! Thanks to all last night for the advise!!! We took the advise and added the 4 emerald crabs, WOW they are work horses! I imagine we will have a clean tank by next morning. We also added 4 peppermint shrimp, they are still timid. Hopefully see action tommorrow with the nusance anemonies.
To the title...Cycling for two weeks now and have tested at least every other day. We have never had an ammonia spike above 0.25 and nitrites and nitrates have been 0 (56 gallon tall, 60 lbs live sand, 25 lbs base and 45 lbs live rock with a 20 gallon refugium). Todays readings (exactly 14 days): AM: <0.25, but not 0, NO2 and NO 3 are 0, calcium is 350 (trying to raise with Seachem calcium - 6 caps and 2 caps of purple up/day), ALK 3.6, SG 1.025 (hydro, have refrec ordered), Temp 78.8, and PO4 - 0.
Few questions: Is this a cycled tank (we are used to a more dramatic cycle with FW)? Any recommendations on what else we should be testing for? Our refugium has a significant amount of algae, should we put 2 of our turbo snails in there (by the way we added some pods and 2 mangroves today)? We currently have calarpia (sp) and mud with LR frags, bio balls (submerged) and it was suggested 24/7 light any suggestions?
As before, apologize for the length and # of questions, these are just hard to find through research!

 

[rcoultas]

It is possible for a tank to cycle in two weeks.
If there is any ammonia then the tank is not fully cycled yet or you have something dead and/or decaying in it. You should hold off on any chemical additives and not try to adjust calcium at this time. Let the cycle complete and then you can make adjustments. Fully cycled will read 0 Amm 0 Nitrite and Nitrates may vary (you want them at 20 or less for a FOWLR - 0-10 in a reef)
Personally I do not agree with 24/7 refuge lighting but instead set it to oppose the DT lighting which in turn helps to steady the PH in system and will decrease the algae blooms in sump. I like to keep my hermits in the sump and snails in DT or vice versa, but yes you should have something in the sump as well.

 

[trish&dave]

Originally Posted by rcoultas
It is possible for a tank to cycle in two weeks.
If there is any ammonia then the tank is not fully cycled yet or you have something dead and/or decaying in it. You should hold off on any chemical additives and not try to adjust calcium at this time. Let the cycle complete and then you can make adjustments. Fully cycled will read 0 Amm 0 Nitrite and Nitrates may vary (you want them at 20 or less for a FOWLR - 0-10 in a reef)
Personally I do not agree with 24/7 refuge lighting but instead set it to oppose the DT lighting which in turn helps to steady the PH in system and will decrease the algae blooms in sump. I like to keep my hermits in the sump and snails in DT or vice versa, but yes you should have something in the sump as well.
You are great! You always respond with great advise and we appreciate it!

Because we are new, the readings on the ammonia is not the same color as the 0 (exactly), but it is not at 0.25. We just have not seen any increases in our readings. We finally found a good LFS and I had a chance to meet the owner, so I am going to take water there and watch him test it to make sure. I am almost positive I am testing correctly.
The "ecosystem" site recommends you leave lights on 24/7, even with mangroves. I will do some more research on that. Does the algae hurt anything in the refugium? We have a mag drive pump with filter, how do you recommend cleaning? We have some prepared saltwater left over from our fill (not heated), or is it ok to use FW? (I am pretty sure I know the answer, but thought I would ask). Any additional suggestions on other test kits? Why not adjust calcium at this point? We have been trying with no success getting it above 350, we are adding Kent Calcium Reactor, Seachem calcium, and purple up. Everything we have read, that will not affect the cleanup crew.
MAN WHAT A GREAT SITE!!!!!!

 

[ketill]

Good Questions I asked the same ? about fug lighting. tihnk I got about 5 post for people that all agreed on some kind of on off cycle.
Right now i have three 10G drilled tanks sharing a LR Rubble, and LR only sump. two of the tanks have red macro( sold as red kelp i think) and chaeto, one has 2/4 light other is in sync with my 65g right next to it, will let ya know on growth, ect if ya PM me in about 2 weeks Both tanks have nausaruis snails and marine feeder shrimp.