Super fast cycle in my 12gal ???

dhughesz28

Member
I’m not sure, but I think my new 12gal tank cycled really fast. :confused: :notsure: Here is where I’m at. Last Sunday (6-5-2005) I set up a new 12gal nano. I added 1.5-2 inch of aragonite sand, 10 lb cured LR and topped off with 1.024 salt water (Instant Ocean). One piece of LR came from my 46gal which has been up and running for the past year. I figured it would help the cycle. I have also been putting a very small amount of fish food in the tank every other day to “feed the cycle”. I have been testing everyday since then. (Salifert kits)
On Monday everything was 0 except NO3 was 4. pH was 8.1
On Tue and Wed, I noticed that the NH3/NH4 was up to about .25ppm. But NO2 was=0 and NO3 was still=4. pH holding at 8.1.
On Thursday, ammonia was 0, NO2 was 0 and NO3 was 5.
Skip to today, Ammonia and NO2 still holding at 0. NO3 now about 8-10.
I’m thinking that I saw my Ammonia spike on Wed. I’m also thinking that since I haven’t seen any NO2, and the NO3 has climbed a little that the tank has cycled??
I have also noticed that since Sat, I have been watching two pieces of white LR under the filter outlet turn a rusty brown color. I’m thinking that this is diatomic algae?? If I’m not mistaken, isn’t this a sign that a cycle has ended??
Here is a pic of the rusty brown rocks. Look to the far right of the pile.

To see pics of the tank 2 days after I set it up, click this link..
New 12gal. Nano Pics
I have about a year’s experience in maintaining a SW tank, but I listened to a BAD LFS for help setting up my first tank and it went all wrong so I’m new to the whole cycle process. So all you experts, where am I at with this new tank????
Thanks :happyfish
 

dhughesz28

Member
Also, if the brown stuff is that Diatomic algae, will it go away, or fill the future clean up crew take care of that. If it isn’t algae, what is it??? I have closer pics if you need em’
Thanks :happyfish
 

airforceb2

Active Member
I would throw a raw shrimp in there to make sure it has kicked. Since you put in fully cured rock, it wouldn't have done anything for your cycle. As for the food, I'm not sure if it is enough. I'm sure you would rather be safe than sorry.
 

dhughesz28

Member
The purpose of this tank is to house Damsels, since many people use damsels to cycle a tank, do you think I could go ahead and put the first damsel in there?? Or should I keep feeding the cycle and keep looking for the ammonia/nitrite spikes?
 

bang guy

Moderator
Originally Posted by dhughesz28
The purpose of this tank is to house Damsels, since many people use damsels to cycle a tank, do you think I could go ahead and put the first damsel in there?? Or should I keep feeding the cycle and keep looking for the ammonia/nitrite spikes?
Let the tank cycle without the fish. High ammonia levels can permanently damage or kill fish.
Just feed the tank like you will with the first fish for another week. Then you can place your new Damsel into a healthy environment.
Cured live rock will cycle a tank really fast but it still takes some time to mature and become more stable.
 

dhughesz28

Member
Thanks Bang Guy, Ill wait it out.
I’m not trying to rush the cycle, I know it takes time. I'm just anxious to get that damsel out of my main tank!! I’m sure my yellow tang will be more than happy to see him leave :joy:
Hay Terry

:happyfish
 

dhughesz28

Member
Bang Guy,
OK so yesterday (Sunday) marks the third week the tank has been set up. I have tested every other day, and have yet to see ammonia or nitrite spike, but the nitrate is slowly climbing. Also, the brown diatom? algae that covered the sand and a few pieces of LR is going away, on one piece of LR in particular, I can see the start of some nice purple coralline. I have a bubble algae plant that started out as a single small blade (wasn’t sure what it was at first). In the last week it has grown like crazy, had 5 or 6 blades and I can count like 17 bubbles on it. Also the little plant growing in the back of the LR pile has tripled in size. Im also starting to see hair algea pop up in some spots. I have been feeding the tank with flake food everyday since I set up the tank, after 3 weeks of adding food to the tank, I would have assumed that I would see some type of ammonia spike by now, no??
I know that it has been suggested that I just toss in a raw shrimp which I have in my freezer, but I really don’t know if I want to do that. I have a TON of little feather duster and a bunch of bristle worms, plus a really cool peanut worm. I saw him stretched out between 2 pieces of LR, he must have been 3”!! I don’t want to create to big of an ammonia spike because I don’t want to kill all the critter I have in the tank now.
So what do you all think? Has my tank cycled enough to add my 2 damsels? Or should I give it another week??
As of last night...
pH 8.0
Amm=0
NO2=0
NO3=10-12
temp=80
sg= 1.024
thanks
 

fishhead81

Member
In the starsky and hutch voice, "C'mon....do it!" go for it! I have 25lbs of cured rock for my 55 i'm setting up today and I don't expect much of a cycle because of it. I'll wait a week regardless, but I think you're past the "waiting for cycle to complete" phase. IMO Good luck.
 

bang guy

Moderator
If you can start with one Damsel and then wait 2 or 3 weeks for the second one you'll have less chance for problems.
 
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