Sorry, Another Cycling Question.

[mugg1977]

Hello to all. I am a new user and the site seems excellent.
My question is this; I have a 55g with 40lb of LS and 80lb of cured LR. The tank has been cycling for 3 weeks now. I have had green hair algae for almost a week and a half (it's about 1" long in places). I seeded the tank with Bacter-Vital for 3 days after the rock and sand went in. I have been testing every day (except for this weekend when I went out of town) with no sign of ammonia, nitrita or nitrate. I also had a brown algae bloom on the LS and LR, which was taken care of by the cleaner crew. I have stocked with 2 sacrificial 4-stripe damsels because the other half had to have them and they are completely healthy. I am at a loss as to when this thing is going to cycle, or if it already has and the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate spikes went away quickly. Any information would be extremely helpful ( I am getting asked everyday when it will be ready for Nemo).
Thanks so much!
John

 

[big911dog]

If you are three weeks into it with LR in there, the cycle is probably done. I would suggest getting rid of the damsels tho. They are fairly agressive.
Just in case you have any more questions, here are parameters which are helpful to post so folks can evaluate whats going on:
Ammonia
Nitrite
Nitrate
pH
Temp
Salinity if ur using a refractometer or SG if a hydrometer
Good luck with Nemo and Welcome to the Boards!

 

[mugg1977]

Big911Dog,
Thanks for the info. I meant to post the parameters, just slipped my mind at the end of the post.
John

 

[fishboy 86]

Sence you are getting a "nemo" make sure you do not make THE FINDING NEMO MISTAKE dumdum da do not add all the fish from find nemo you will have serious compatibilly problem and make sure you wait at least 6months to a year and have pristine water conditions (not to mention correct lighting) before you add a "house for nemo"I am speaking of an anemone good luck with your tank:happy: :happy:

 

[mugg1977]

Fishboy 86,
Thanks for the info. I don't even know the cast of NEMO, so that's not a problem (the NEMO is not my choice either, I would rather have a true perc, but she wants the nemo so I have to get the false). I am thinking that I will put an anemone in sometime in the spring. I just hooked up my UV and am planning on getting a regal tang around Christmas. I figure if I can keep him healthy for 2 months or so, that I will be able to take care of an anemone. Thanks for the help.
John
PS - Where on the coast are you?

 

[big911dog]

ummmm....first of all, let me say i am NOT the tang police....but a word of caution, that 55 you have is too small for a regal (aka HIPPO) tang...

 

[mugg1977]

Big911Dog,
I am building a house towards the end of next year and plan on a 200-300 in-wall. That's why I am starting now, so I have some experience when I start the big one. If I got a small juvenile regal, do you think it would outgrow the 55 within 12 months?
Thanks?
John

 

[fishboy 86]

It is quite possible it could out grow it in a year because they grow very quickly