Wow that was fast, or was it?

[moopiespoo]

I have a 30gal w/ 20 lbs lr and 35 lbs sand. I have been cycling for aprox 3 weeks. I threw a piece of shrimp in 1 week ago. Thursday my parameters were:
Amm 1.0
NO2 0
NO3 10
pH 8.2
Today I just test it and they are
Amm 0
NO2 0
NO3 5.0
pH 8.2
How the heck did it cycle so fast, I have the temp jacked up to 84 and I have left the lights on for 48 intervals, I have the start of algae on the glass. I have a new test kit so I know that is not a problem but I never did see the NO2 rise. Is it cycled? ALREADY . With my 55 gal it took 6 weeks.

 

[michaeltx]

Amm 1.0 this tells me no but it may be there is still something decaying and the other is being eating up as fast as it appears if thats the case you need to figure out where the ammonia is coming from.
check the tank and see if there is something decaying in there if so remove it and see what the readings are in a few days. the cycle could be done if thats the case.
Mike

 

[nacl-man]

Originally posted by moopiespoo
Today I just test it and they are
Amm 0
NO2 0
NO3 5.0
pH 8.2

Wait a day or so and test again. If the levels are still around that, then I would say you are good to go. Do about a 25-30% water change, wait another day or so, and then start thinking about a clean-up crew.
Good luck!

 

[scotts]

It very well could have cycled already. I had a quick cycle. I, like you, started with live sand out of a bag and cured live rock. A couple of questions, have you gone through the brown algae pahse and do you have bubbles in your sand. Bubbles in your sand is a good thing.
Scott

 

[michaeltx]

ya know I looked at the first set of numbers and started typeing LOL
yeah I second what NaCL-man said oops
Mike

 

[moopiespoo]

Yeah Michael, I was huh? Thats ok I skim through posts too. I am going to take out the piece of shrimp, looks pretty nasty. I have the start of brown algea on the glass not thick yet just mottled, I do see bubble in the sand, tiny ones, I never knewn that was a sign of good things. I will do a 25% this afternoon and check again Tuesday. Wow I'm not ready yet. I have been researching the clean up crew but just for entertainment. I havent found a red backround yet and I need to get some more live rock. Wait wait! I didnt expect to add any livestock until The end of September!!

 

[michaeltx]

you can still take that time to research and figure out what you want just because the tank is ready for liestock doesnt mean you have to add it yet. the longer you allow it to set then the better it wil be. just be sure to add a pinch of flake food every now and then to keep the bacteria alive until you go to add things.
why a red background? I have never heard of using red it would be interesting to say the least.
Mike

 

[moopiespoo]

This is gonna be my wow thats colorful, tank. I have heard seahores like the bright colors and may even change their color to blend in with their surrondings, red will set off my othere colors nicely, reds, greens, blues, puples, and black. I will post a pic when it's all set up, I know it sounds tacky but it will look good.

 

[michaeltx]

I dont think it sounds tacky just unusual thats why I asked.
try to find soething thats easliy changed out that way if a couple fo months you dont like it you can change it.
I have heard of people using vinyl or even fabric for the tank backgrounds. ideas anyway
cant wait to see pics of it.
Mike

 

[moopiespoo]

nolofinwe, I find that strange too. I have yet to do a single water change. I am using cured lr and Bio-max in the filter. I will not add livestock for a while, I can't understand such a fast cycle. I am going to do a 25% water change and check the parms again in a few days.

 

[michaeltx]

theoricly you can have a cycle down in just a few days. thats what mine did I used all stuff out of other tanks. rocks sand and filter pads. so when I cycled in was just a few days and it was over. never really regestered anyhting because the bacteria already has a hold.
that probably what happened to you if it was good quality stuff.
Mike

 

[moopiespoo]

I did borrow the bio-max from my other filter, and the live rock was good, had a bunch of aitapsia . I am just suprised it was so fast.