cycling

[georgehorn]

can you cycle your tank twice...........(because your not sure you did it right the first time). what are average readings of ammonia during the cycling process.......... thanks guys

 

[jester805]

Originally posted by georgehorn
can you cycle your tank twice...........(because your not sure you did it right the first time). what are average readings of ammonia during the cycling process.......... thanks guys
Once it's cycled, then it's cycled. The only way you can really cycle it again is to dump the water and start all over. Your levels should be around:
NitrItes: 0
Ammonia: 0
NitrAtes: 10 - 20
pH: 8.2

 

[salty cheese]

Originally posted by jester805
Once it's cycled, then it's cycled. The only way you can really cycle it again is to dump the water and start all over.
That’s not true, for example, you can cause the tank to re-cycle if you add too much uncured rock at one time.

 

[georgehorn]

live rock?.....................will it cycle all over again or will it be a mini cycle.............how long will it have to cycle again

 

[snipe]

you can also add some sort of amonia sorce from something dead "cocktail shrimp". If you got enough "uncured" live rock it would be a cycle if you didnt get very mutch it probly woulnt do a hole lot. When I say not very mutch im talking a few lbs.

 

[salty cheese]

Originally posted by georgehorn
live rock?.....................will it cycle all over again or will it be a mini cycle.............how long will it have to cycle again
Yes, live rock.
IMO a cycle is a cycle mini or otherwise. The time it takes to cycle again will vary, you will just have to test the water.
Like Snipe said you can use a cocktail shrimp to kick start it, this is assuming there isn't any livestock in the tank.

 

[georgehorn]

man i keep getting the wierdest test results..........ammonia is like between 0.25 and o.50, 0 nitrite and my nitrate went fron 20ppm to 40ppms............how can my nitrates keep climbing if my tank is cycling again..............

 

[scottwol27]

Yeh i got around the same thing....but do a water change for about 25% of the tank givei t a few hours and test it...this works very well....or atleast it worked for me....
and if ur ph is off get some marine bffer...stuff is powdered gold...lol.
you cna drop a line at scottwolling27@hotmail.com