Tank Cycle Question

e-bone1019

New Member
I recently set up a new 90gal reef tank with live rock and sand. The tank was set up in July, live rock was added but was uncured so it took a while to cycle, about a month. In August, the tank appeared to be ready for a clean-up crew. (Nitrites, Nitrates and Amonia levels good) The crew has been in the tank for around a month now and the tank is in the process of another cycle. My question is, how long can i expect for this cycle to last before the water clears up and I am ready to add a fish or two. I understand that i changed the bioload when i added my 55-100 gal crew (aproximately 75 new creatures) but how long will i have to put up with cloudy water. I perform weekly water changes and I have a phosphate reactor and protein skimmer working my 25 gal sump. Also, maybe it's a stupid question, but do i have to feed the cleanup crew, they seem prety happy suckin the scum off the rocks and glass.
 

invertcrazy

Member
Did you test the water in July to make sure you got a cycle? You should have put in a few raw deli shrimp to jump start the cycle when you first set up the tank. You might be just be getting a cycle now by adding a clean up crew that size. Test your water parameters and post if you can.
 

e-bone1019

New Member
Originally Posted by mkroher
http:///forum/post/3135534
did you get an ammonia spike when you added the cleanup crew?
I did get an amonia spike, then the levels started to level off but got a red bacteria, followed by a algae bloom. Seems to be clearing up now. I can test the water and post the levels later. Could it be that my lighting schedule is more than it needs to be, right now it's on from 10:30am to 10pm, and i have 2 metal halides and 4 t5 actinics.
 

e-bone1019

New Member
Originally Posted by florida joe
http:///forum/post/3135547
So you completed a cycle added a clean up crew and added nothing for organic brake down for a month
I don't understand the question. I added the cleanup crew after the tank cycled the first time. I originally had live rock only.
 

florida joe

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by E-Bone1019
http:///forum/post/3135572
I don't understand the question. I added the cleanup crew after the tank cycled the first time. I originally had live rock only.
what was the clean op crew of 75 eating for a month. How were you Sustaining your bio filtration for that month
 
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