I think i'm ready

[pezenfuego]

It's a big investment. I would rather be patient and ensure that I am doing it right than to jump in because I'm impatient. Both ways work, but the right way works 100% of the time.
Cycle is such a general term. Truly there is more to it than just the transformation of ammonia. If you want to get REALLY technical, since there is no nitrogen fixation, it isn't technically a "cycle" per se...but lets not get into that lol.
What I'm trying to say is that there is more to a stable tank than just being free of toxic ammonia, nitrite, and having low nitrate. In any case, I like to wait and see. Better safe than to have dead fish I always say.

 

[lil.guppy]

Originally Posted by PEZenfuego
http:///forum/post/3008981
It's a big investment. I would rather be patient and ensure that I am doing it right than to jump in because I'm impatient. Both ways work, but the right way works 100% of the time.

 

[locoyo386]

Hi there,
Originally Posted by lil.guppy
http:///forum/post/3008973
Ammonia 0 nitrite/nitrates 0 ph stable (how does this assures your tank has reach a stable environment for live stock. Every tank when first starts the ammonia is 0 and the nitrites is zero. Does this imply the tank has "cycled".)
If you add one fish give it a week or two and you will know if its going to have a slight cycle again (you mean by testing the water, right?). Your nitrates will spike and then drop (can you explain how this happens?) also with the ammonia. If you have been testing your water every few days since it was set up and it never did this then you need to start the cycle yourself (how is this possible when there is fish in the tank already?). If you have not been testing your water it might have already cycled and passed without you knowing (than the tank would be ready for live stock, correct?).
Like I stated before that is what happened with me. Things jumped and dropped within 2 weeks so I added the clown fish and then they appeared again a few days later but not as intense (why do you think this happened?). I kept doing my partial water changes and within a few days it was back down again and wa la it was cycled.
Im sure there are other ways of "seeding" the tank other then a fish but I am not sure what that is. Some say put a small piece of shrimp in the tank.

 

[locoyo386]

Hi there,
Originally Posted by PEZenfuego
http:///forum/post/3008981
It's a big investment. I would rather be patient and ensure that I am doing it right than to jump in because I'm impatient. Both ways work, but the right way works 100% of the time.
Cycle is such a general term. Truly there is more to it than just the transformation of ammonia. If you want to get REALLY technical, since there is no nitrogen fixation (there is no nitrogen fixation?), it isn't technically a "cycle" per se...but lets not get into that lol.
What I'm trying to say is that there is more to a stable tank than just being free of toxic ammonia, nitrite, and having low nitrate. In any case, I like to wait and see. Better safe than to have dead fish I always say.

 

[pezenfuego]

Originally Posted by locoyo386
http:///forum/post/3009020
Hi there,
if there was we would have readings of ammonia in our tanks no? I'm going to sleep. Note that it says lets not get into that just so you know.

 

[locoyo386]

Originally Posted by PEZenfuego
http:///forum/post/3009022
if there was we would have readings of ammonia in our tanks no? I'm going to sleep. Note that it says lets not get into that just so you know.
How could you if the ammonia gets comverted to quickly for testing to detect.

 

[pezenfuego]

Originally Posted by locoyo386
http:///forum/post/3009023
How could you if the ammonia gets comverted to quickly for testing to detect.
So you're suggesting that after denitrification, nitrogen fixation occurs?
Wouldn't that bacteria get out of control? Nitrogen is necessary you know.
If it did occur, then we would have a ridiculous amount of nitrate in our tank as denitrification is the weak link in aquariums...
THIS is why I had that disclaimer

G'night

 

[locoyo386]

well can you show me that cyanobacteria does not have anything to do with nitrogen fixation?

 

[pezenfuego]

Originally Posted by locoyo386
http:///forum/post/3009033
well can you show me that cyanobacteria does not have anything to do with nitrogen fixation?
No, but I can show you that my tank is free of cyanobacteria...except possibly some endospores.

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by Mgauna83
http:///forum/post/3008677
Flower- my tank was up and running 4-5 weeks before i found this site i think i know how long my tank has been cycling for ok and they used the marine test to check the nitrite, nitrate, amonia,PHi watch him do it

You know what, I was just really trying to help. I thought you wanted an answer. Not a happy, go for it. Next time just say someething like "I am ready what should I get!"
As for you knowing how long the tank has been up...Your personal info says that you set up your tank on March 24th 2009 That was 2.5 weeks ago, not 2 months...It may have felt like 2 months but no.
You are the one who wrote that your tank has been started on march 24 2009 in your personal profile. I didn't do it.

Now if you watched him do the tests and it wasn't a strip test you may very well be ready to go. Now, I am sorry this thread took such a nasty turn.
So back on track...You saw how the tests were done. Your first purchase now should be your own marine master test kit. You will have to watch your water and make sure everything is fine ...some things test once a day (SG and temp), some once a week (PH, Alk, Nitrates) and some only when there is a problem, (nitrites and ammonia). This is only as examples, do what you feel you need to.
Pick a hardy fish as your first choice. Make sure it is a fish you can live with, and will get along with whatever else you plan on keeping.
For example: Damsels are very pretty, but they are mean and may kill other fish you want later.
I personally went for the clown fish. I got two. Again, be selective...you can only have one type of clown per tank. You will find this many times, only one per tank, so you really need to be selective and do some homework on what you buy.
Happy Reefing and be sure to post some pictures.

lets be friends.

 

[uneverno]

Interesting discussion on Nitrogen fixation, but I don't think it's probably helping the OP.
Mgauna83:
IMO, if all that's in your tank at the moment is live rock, it is very possible that you never saw an Ammonia or Nitrite spike. (In making that statement, I'm assuming that the rock was cured.) Before adding any livestock I would put a piece of raw shrimp in there and re-test at least daily for 4-5 days. If you get nothing then you're good, but I'm betting you will.
Reason being, I think your tank is a bit light on rock (you should be closer to 1Lb/gal in order to ensure that you have enough surface area for bacteria to support your livestock), so while it may be cycled at this point, adding livestock (esp. fish) will probably initiate another cycle.
I'm sure you're anxious to get pretty colors and movement in there, but take it slowly. Patience is the name of this game.
Just my 2¢
HTH,
Emil

 

[meowzer]

I don't recall reading this...if it's there and I missed it..sorry...BUT do you have any type of clean up crew yet (snails crabs)??