Cycling help

[farsight32]

Hello all.
I finished building my stand and sump for my 29 gallon biocube HQI (20 gallon sump). I added 45 pounds of live rock and 40 pounds of live sand. I also got a few cups of sand from my brothers tank to speed things up. I have a test kit for amonia and nitrates.
I am planning on testing the water every three days until I get a zero reading for amonia and nitrates. Is that correct? If so, about how long does it usually take? Is there anything I can do to speed it up? I know it is a process that takes time, but I have heard some people just use the die off form their liverock, while others use small amounts of shrimp? Is either method better?
Thanks for all the help. I can post pictures if anyone is interested.

 

[bang guy]

If you have an ammonia reading at or above 0,25 then there's no need to add anything, there is enough food for the bacteria. If your level gets above 0.5 then you are harmng the more delicate animals in your live rock and also extending the time it will take to complete your cycle.
If ammonia clmbs above 0.5ppm then do a water change to get it back down.
If ammonia does not go above 0.0 then either you have plenty of bacteria from the live rock or there's not enough food to grow bacteria. In this case begin to ghost feed your tank. Feed about the same as you would feed your first fish. If ammona stays at 0.0 for a weekeven after daily ghost feeding then your tank is cycled. If ammonia begins to climb then try to adjust the ghost feeding to maintain an ammonia level of 0.25 unti yopu can feed quite a bit of food and ammonia still stays at zero. Again, if ammonia climbs above 0.5 do a water change to get it back down.
Remember, even though the tank is cycled (enough bacteria to consume fish waste) it is not stable. The longer you ghost feed without a fish the more stable the tank will be when you do actually add your fist fish.
All of the above is how I would do it. There are dozens of ways to successfully cycle a tank.
Don't overstock! Good luck!!

 

[florida joe]

Quote:
I am planning on testing the water every three days until I get a zero reading for amonia and nitrates
I am sure my friend BG would agree when I say that “if I had a dollar for every hobbyist that is still waiting for their tank to test zero for nitrates I would be a rich old man” zero ammonia and zero nitrites will allow you to start the proses of introducing live stock on a limited basis

 

[bang guy]

Agreed

 

[farsight32]

Thank you for the quick responses. Just to make sure I am understanding correctly, once I see an amonia spike (meaning once i see it rise above zero) and then fall back down, and then the same for nitrites, it will be safe to introduce a CUC? Would that also be the best time to add my macro algae into my fuge?
I have heard the CUC should be introduced as your first livestock, but I am unclear as ot when the macro algae should be added.

 

[bang guy]

If you are going to add macroalge do it immediately. Don't add any animals until after the tank is cycled and somewhat stable.
I've never worried at all about Nitrites although a reading above zero indicates an unstable system.

 

[florida joe]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bang Guy http:///t/393184/cycling-help#post_3495982
If you are going to add macroalge do it immediately. Don't add any animals until after the tank is cycled and somewhat stable.
I've never worried at all about Nitrites although a reading above zero indicates an unstable system.
B G you bring up an excellent point it has been and I believe is still taken as truth that nitrites at any level above zero are toxic in our aquariums. Below is the link to an interesting article on the subject and something new as well as seasoned hobbyists should read
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-06/rhf/index.php

 

[bang guy]

Thanks Joe! Very good article. Most of my experiments are never documented so I never had anything written to back up my belief that there is no need to worry about Nitrite levels. Frankly, I doubt very many hobbiests believed me when I told them not to worry about a Nitrite reading. It does indicate that the bacteria population has been disturbed somehow though.

 

[florida joe]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bang Guy http:///t/393184/cycling-help#post_3496064
Thanks Joe! Very good article. Most of my experiments are never documented so I never had anything written to back up my belief that there is no need to worry about Nitrite levels. Frankly, I doubt very many hobbiests believed me when I told them not to worry about a Nitrite reading. It does indicate that the bacteria population has been disturbed somehow though.
Perhaps you can sticky the link somewhere for future reference
Ummm and I have an idea perhaps people would take your word on posted info if you started it with “Bang Guys method “

 

[farsight32]

Thanks for the help guys. I got my macro today (Chaeto). I will eagerly await the end of my cycle so I can add my CUC.