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Unread 05/04/2015, 06:15 PM   #1
smittysmith2
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Needing Some Hand Holding

I think my tank is beginning to cycle. I've had it set up for a few days. Here are the test results that I get. Specific Gravity = 1.023, pH = 7.4, Ammonia = 0.25, Nitrite = 0.25, Nitrate = 40. The water is clear as a bell with no sediment or anything in it.

Thoughts?


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Unread 05/04/2015, 06:18 PM   #2
gone fishin
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What did you use to start the cycle?

How much rock?

Was the rock live or dead?

Tank size?


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Unread 05/04/2015, 06:19 PM   #3
Biodork
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Sounds like everything is moving along as it should. You'll want to wait for zero NH4 and NO2 readings before adding livestock. Patience is key in this hobby.


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Unread 05/04/2015, 06:28 PM   #4
smittysmith2
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Tank Specfics

75 gallon tank, 30 gallon sump
30 lbs of live rock
80 lbs live sand
I used a small piece of tilapia to cycle

I started the hobby, in part, to practice patience. I am not naturally patient.


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Unread 05/04/2015, 06:33 PM   #5
gone fishin
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I would give it some time. Has the tilapia rotted away yet?

IMO your a little light on rock, unless your going for the minimalist look.


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Unread 05/04/2015, 06:45 PM   #6
whosurcaddie
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+1^^^ I would add about 30-40 more ponds of rock. With 30 pounds your not going to reach your bioload potential. If you can get the tilapia out I would do that its only going to add to the ammonia leaving you with higher nitrates at the end of the cycle.


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Unread 05/04/2015, 06:48 PM   #7
smittysmith2
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Light on the Rock

Think more light in the wallet. I'm saving up for more live rock. I still have a kid in college.


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Unread 05/04/2015, 06:54 PM   #8
whosurcaddie
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smittysmith2 View Post
Think more light in the wallet. I'm saving up for more live rock. I still have a kid in college.
Have you looked at adding dry rock to your live rock. Its really cheap.

http://smile.amazon.com/Carib-Sea-AC...words=dry+rock


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Unread 05/04/2015, 06:59 PM   #9
smittysmith2
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Dry Rock

I have 15-20 pounds of dry coral. Would that work?


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Unread 05/04/2015, 07:32 PM   #10
billdogg
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As long as it's clean, perfect. That's what "live rock" started out as after all!


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Unread 05/04/2015, 07:33 PM   #11
Martini5788
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smittysmith2 View Post
I have 15-20 pounds of dry coral. Would that work?

A coral skeleton? A picture would help. Look at marcorocks.com, they have good prices and it's really nice dry rock. Much cheaper, and you have the liverock already to seed the dry rock


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Unread 05/04/2015, 08:07 PM   #12
Coelli
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And if you have a local forum, ask around - some people have a rock or two they wouldn't mind passing along to a new reefer as long as you remember to pay it forward in the future.


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Unread 05/04/2015, 08:13 PM   #13
intyme
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Who knew Amazon sold dry rock!! Humph.


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Unread 05/04/2015, 08:15 PM   #14
Mcgeezer
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Adding more rock to create more bioload is highly advisable. Ammonia will first drop to zero, then nitrite will drop to zero, and then nitrate should be very low or zero. Once nitrate is very low/zero and all other readings are zero, do a large water change to eliminate as much nitrate as possible. Then you are cycled. Seeing diatoms on the rock after ammonia and nitrite hit zero is a good sign that you're getting close to being done.

Your pH is extremely low. 7.4 is almost pure water....work on getting it higher then 8 before you add any livestock. During your cycle, it really doesn't matter as much.


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Unread 05/04/2015, 09:28 PM   #15
smittysmith2
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Lighting

What role does lighting play in this process? Also how much water change is considered a large water change?


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Unread 05/05/2015, 06:31 AM   #16
scooter31707
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I would do at least 30-50%. IMO, lighting does not play a role in the cycle process at all.


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Unread 05/05/2015, 11:05 AM   #17
brianr24
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I'm just a newbie. But one option(if your light on funds) could be just keep bio load way down for that size tank.maybe pair of clowns. As u get a couple bucks keep adding dry rock.good luck.


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Unread 05/05/2015, 03:58 PM   #18
smittysmith2
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Update

I added the dry corals as suggested. I also took the piece of tilapia I used to start the cycle out of the tank. Here are my testing results:

Specific Gravity 1.024
pH 8.0
Ammonia 0.25
Nitrite 0.00
Nitrate 40.00

Thanks to all for your help.


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