How long to cycle ???

[dr. jay]

I just bought a 92 gallon corner tank, with 40 lbs of live fiji rock, and 60 lbs of live sand. I added 10 damsels and 1 sno flake eel to the party. How long before it cycles. Without the live stuff I think it should take a month to 6 weeks. I was told the Live rock and sand should help it to cycle. After day 3 I did a water check....
Ammonia 0
nitrites 0
nitrates 0
Will it go through a formal cycling process. All experts and non experts but know.... please help.

 

[fixitdude2001]

Hi, Dr Jay, the sand and rock will help , also the damsels will do a good job, I also think you will soon see a increase in ammonia and then your cycle will start.
How come a snowflake eel??? how big is he?? They are very cool and we have a 14- 15 in one but waited for the cycle before we added him, If he is small he might not make it , but a larger one probly would, ours eats crab meat, squid[ his favorite] and occasional gold fish for a treat,.. good luck its just starting to get intresting,,,cya

 

[lcc]

You are still looking at least 4 weeks. What type of filter system are you running? Are you adding any chem products to speed up the process? If not I would say 4 to 5 weeks.

 

[jacrmill]

im afraid you made a mistake with the damsels. with all that LR you probaly would have trouble removing them after the cycle, which is what i would recommned, because they can get mean. i wouldnt think your cycle would take too long, since you used LR and LS. mine took about 4 weeks. just gotta keep testing it.

 

[b_ball12_99]

You should see your readings rise and then when they bottom out again your cycle should be done. It can take from a week to 6 weeks.

 

[dr. jay]

funny thing is the snow flake eel is hiding and hasnt come out yet. I know they can by shy, but how long do I wait before I start looking for him. If you are right and the eel is fragile (it is small), it may be decomposing inbetween the rocks. I am adding "cycle" or something like it (10 cc per day). It is a wet dry filter with a protein skimmer.

 

[fixitdude2001]

These guys can get out of the smallest crevice in your tank, is your top very tight? and if there was something wrong and he was dead you would have a ammonia spike.. I would look for him now, ours is large and I freek a little when I dont see him, but a little looking and I always find him, They are also nocternal, I even watch the tank by the light of the puter or tv and, this is when ours is most active, swims all over the tank, very gracefull, get looking, and hope he didnt get out on you, cya

 

[krustytheclownfish]

With all that live stuff, depending on the die off, you may not get that big of ammonia spike. Just keep testing for a few weeks. And don't worry about removing the damsels, when your eel gets larger he can have them for a snack
[ April 25, 2001: Message edited by: KrustytheClownFish ]

 

[jimi]

If the live rock and sand came from an established tank you may never see a cycle. With ten damsels you may see a small ammonia or nitrite spike that might last a few hours to a few days or nothing at all, depending on the rock.

 

[dr. jay]

But I should see a nitrAte spike correct? If waste gets added (from the fish) and there is enough bio load, I may not get the high ammonia or nitrite but I should get plenty of nitrate.... Correct??
What do you guys think I should do about this F-ing eel, who is soooo cute. Should I start removing stuff (Coral, Rock) looking for this little

[hr]
??? He could die in there and I would never know it....
on the other hand he could be just hanging out enjoying life (but when I put food out, he doesnt show up) in his new castle.

 

[jimi]

You may or may not eventually see nitrate rise depending on the sand bed depth and type of rock.As far as you eel I would look for him a little.Dr.Jay try to remember there are younger members here and some who just dont like profanity so try and restrain yourself, there are other words of expression besides swear words on a public forum.