Has my tank cycled?

[aiber]

Started my 75 with a bag of live sand, existing sand from previous owner, (I bought the tank used and I asked him to leave the sand), 25 #'s live rock, 2 damsels and 1 chromie on 4/5. I tested the water today and these are the results:
Ammonia 0.0
Nitrites .25
Nitrates 20
I also have a lot of brown dusty stuff on the sand...
Have I cycled yet?

 

[aiber]

Why isn't anybody responding? Is it such a stupid question?:notsure:

 

[ejensen]

No. When your nitrates are zero then its done.

 

[schneidts]

No, it's certainly not a stupid question! Your cycle isn't over, yet. Be patient, it's almost there. Like ejensen said, when everything hits zero you are cycled. The brown stuff on the sand are diatoms. P.S. kudos on getting some of your freinds sand. That's a great thing to do when starting a new tank.

 

[aiber]

The diatoms are spreading quickly....exponentially in three days! Should I do anything or be concerned?
Thanks

 

[joejoe]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I hear that once your trites hit 0, you can start adding a clean up crew...but not TOO much!! Add a couple of nassarius and cerith snails...they should assist in controlling the diatom bloom.

 

[thenewfish]

Congrats..... it sounds if you had a quick cycle...... You should be able to start adding a clean up crew and begin to think about what fish you are going to get

 

[aarmatting]

I put snails and crabs in my 29g a week after I started my tank and they do a pretty good job. Nothing has died, cleanup wise. Ever since I doubled my LR everything has went down, Amonia, Nitrates, Nitrites.
Just a word to the wise..... Get as much LR as possible!! It does wonders.

 

[aiber]

Thanks,
I have read that worms are important for the sand and ditrites...Where can I buy, at bulk? I am going to buy 10 snails today in my LFS to assist with the diatoms...Unless somebody thinks I shouldn't?
Thanks

 

[bsktmom]

Originally posted by aiber
Thanks,
I have read that worms are important for the sand and ditrites...Where can I buy, at bulk? I am going to buy 10 snails today in my LFS to assist with the diatoms...Unless somebody thinks I shouldn't?
Thanks
:yes: I would wait until ammonia and nitrites are both 0 and nitrates under 20 IMO.

 

[birdy]

I totally agree with bsktmom! you do not want to put any livestock in your tank until your trites are 0, and trates are around 20. Inverts are more sensitive to poor water quality than fish are. Start practicing the most important lesson in this hobby, Patience!
There are places that sell worms and things but we cannot post links here: do a google search for detrivore kits.