Cycling...

[jnc]

It's been almost 3 weeks since I setup a new 175 bow...
I'm confused... I haven't started a spike...
Between PH and pumps I'm turning about 1900GPH...
Setup - 3 weeks ago
Display -
60# LR
120# Aragonite
6 Mollies (which have since had 50 babies)
1 cocktail shrimp
Refugium/Sump
40# Aragonite
Some Macros
No spike...
2 weeks ago -
+50# LR
+25# Base LR
Getting hair Algae but No spike...
Yesterday -
+100# LR
As of tonight, levels are all staying stable and have not changed in 2 weeks...
Ammonia - 0.25
PH - 8.2
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 10
Am I missing something? The diatoms and hair algae are about to get out of control in the display tank. All macros in the Refugium are green and healthy.
Thanks...
John

 

[jnc]

Anyone?

 

[jmg]

hmm

 

[jnc]

I've verified the readings with two different test kits...
:notsure:
235# of LR/Base should have done it if not the Mollies and Cocktail Shrimp, right?

 

[elfdoctors]

If your live rock was well cured to begin with you may not notice much of a spike. It is not necessary and more hitchhikers on your live rock will survive. I would wait several weeks after the last of the live rock was added before adding any more fish. Just add your new fish gradually. Perhaps use your old tank as a QT.
The hair algae and diatoms are normal. Don't worry about them. If that bothers you turn your lights down. Herbivorous fish and a clean up crew will take that away quickly.
Test freshly made seawater. With some test kits (e.g. Red Sea) it is impossible to tell 0.25 from 0 for the ammonia readings.

 

[stapler]

I used uncured LR with lots of crap on it....I got a big ammonia spike in no time.
Thats what I would suggest, get some nasty LR.

 

[jnc]

Ahhh... Got an ammonia of .5 tonight. Up from .25...
It might be that it's about to start! :jumping: