More cycle questions?

[booya]

I have one question; can a tank cycle with out getting a spike in NH3 or NO2? I have posted a few times while my tank was cycling because I never got an increase in ammonia or nitrite. They were staying about the same for the three weeks my tank has been up. When I woke up this morning I tested them again and they were at 0. I want to add some live stock but I am nervous because I do know if it is done cycling.
What do you think?
If it is done any suggestions on what I should put in?
Is a lawnmower blenny a good fish to start with?
Thank any advise is appreciated.

 

[tony detroit]

If it's only been three weeks, I'd wait.
I'd say put fish in at the end of two months just to play it safe. Put some shrimp in there and that should speed up your cycle.

 

[booya]

I have had shimp in the tank for over a week and it raised the NH3 about .2 and then now it is at 0 for the first time since my tank started. I also have 90lb LR and 40lb LS i was wondering if this could make a diffence

 

[leopard_babe]

Should you run a filter, whle cycling a tank???

 

[booya]

I am not running a filler. People have told me that it will slow the cycle down. But, I would not trust anything that i say.

 

[leopard_babe]

I have been running my filter and skimmer since I started cycling my tank. I have been cycling for a month, and I ws wondering if I should turn them off, for a better cycle.

 

[booya]

I have read some posts that say skimmers are not good when you are cycling, but i would ask around or do a search in the forums
How long have you been cycling?

 

[beaslbob]

You do need to keep circulation going to build up the necessary aerobic bacteria. But you also need a bioload for the bacteria to work on. The filter will help maintain a clear tank and the bioload remains in the filter media. Therefore, bacteria can still work on that bioload. By contrast the skimmer removes that bioload from the system. This does not bacteria to build up.
So I think most would say run the filter but not the skimmer.

 

[booya]

Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[leopard_babe]

I have been cycling amonth. Skimmer off (now), filter on. I havce been cycling a month, and i had a little ammonia spike .25. No nitrite yet.

 

[booya]

do you have LR andLS?
If so how much?

 

[leopard_babe]

i have about 60lbs of live sand, and 40lbs of live rock. My tank is a 46. I also have like 10lbs of dry rock.

 

[booya]

Good luck I hope your cycle ends soon.
I guess I will just have to wait and see what happens with mine.

 

[leopard_babe]

I am in no hurry. when its done it is done. I want a healthy tank, and I will do whatever it takes to achieve that. Good luck yourself. Just keep hanging in there it is worth it in the end.

 

[booya]

I am waiting. The only thing that is frustrating is that I can't ask my LFS any thing because they do not know anything. I took a sample of my water in to get it tested to see if my test kit was right and the first guy that tested it, used a fresh water test kit. I knew that they were not to good but after that I lost all hope. That it why I rely on this site so much.

 

[reefer44]

I usually leave the skimmer and filter on and it cycles in about a month...but personally i what to add a clean up crew tll about 4 weeks....then i add fish after about 2 months...then once my coraline algae is thriving i add corals....this is just what i do incase u need some suggestions.....

 

[booya]

I have been up a little over 3 weeks now you I should add some cleaners in a week or so.
How many a full crew?