Cycling Help

[forenman]

Well my ammonia has spiked and has gone back down to 0 ppm but have not seen anything from my nitrites while my nitrates have gone up slightly to 10 ppm. I am just wondering if i will see my nitrites spike or has my tank finished it's cycle.

 

[drewsta]

Most likely it is done cycling I would do a decent size water change like 20-30% and add 1 small fish or clean up crew

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by Drewsta
Most likely it is done cycling I would do a decent size water change like 20-30% and add 1 small fish or clean up crew

Drewsta, with all due respect. It is not done cycling. I have had a 20 spare that has been cycling for almost a month now. I have also had Nitrite problems in the past. Don't add any fish yet. How long have you been cycling, what did you use to cycle and how big is this tank? Nitrites will spike. And high. don't rush the process.

 

[hatessushi]

It's probably a good idea to wait a bit longer if it's only been a week but you didn't say how long since you started. If it has been about 2 to 3 weeks it probably has cycled. I would wait at least a few more days to make sure the trites don't show up but if you are only getting trates now then it probably has finished. So how long since you started? and How big of a tank with how much LR and LS? Have your other tests stabilized like ph, alk, cal?

 

[drewsta]

Originally Posted by sepulatian
Drewsta, with all due respect. It is not done cycling. I have had a 20 spare that has been cycling for almost a month now. I have also had Nitrite problems in the past. Don't add any fish yet. How long have you been cycling, what did you use to cycle and how big is this tank? Nitrites will spike. And high. don't rush the process.
LOL I am curious how you can correct me here? There is not enough info to say yes or no. I'm sorry you have been cycling your tank for a month did you use live sand or really cured live rock some cycles can take days while others can take months it depends on many factors. So with more info on this subject we can make a more rational decision

 

[gatorwpb]

My cycle took only 3 weeks using lots of fully cured LR and lots of LS.
Even when it was done my trates were only at 20ppm. After 4th week, trates were at 10ppm and keep falling.
The key to this hobby is to be patient and not rush into things. Im not a very patient person, but I have learned to be lol

Keep checking ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. Once you have a few days to a full week of 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, and 0-30ppm nitrates, youre ready for action!

 

[forenman]

ok well just tested parameters again and am getting the same readings....It will be 2 weeks this saturday that I started my cycle by putting in 3 large shrimp...The tank has 40lbs of live sand which was just bought and 50 lbs of live rock that has been sitting in water in a rubber maid container for about 3 months since I took my tank apart the first time...the tank size is 55g...thanks for all your help

 

[xdave]

When nitrates are present, your tank is cycled. Thats pretty much the definition of cycling.

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by Drewsta
LOL I am curious how you can correct me here? There is not enough info to say yes or no. I'm sorry you have been cycling your tank for a month did you use live sand or really cured live rock some cycles can take days while others can take months it depends on many factors. So with more info on this subject we can make a more rational decision

Drewsta, you are right, I should not have jumped to such a hasty conclusion without all the facts. I see now that he has LS and rock in there. I do appologize. I was just thinking it was a new tank without either of those.

 

[forenman]

so does that mean my tank is done cycling

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by Forenman
so does that mean my tank is done cycling
You can try ghost feeding the tank to be sure. Put a little food in there and let it rot for a day or two and then watch you ammonia if it spikes quick and then drops it is done.