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New Tank

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Pygmey, Dec 12, 2013.

  1. Dec 12, 2013 #1
    Pygmey Cedar Rapids, IA

    Pygmey Well-Known ReefKeeper

    751
    Cedar Rapids, IA
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    All,


    I have had the tank setup starting Monday about 7 o'clock PM. I am using an ATI test kit that was included with the tank used. It is less than 6 months old so the chemicals should be good and the expire date is not till 2018...


    I am curious about the cycling of this tank..


    1) It appears that I for the last 3 days have had 0 ammonia, 0 nitrate, and 10 - 20 PPM nitrate..





    I did add the live rock that was in the tank previously.. I removed the sand that was included with the tank and replaced it with store bought bagged live sand that was still wet..


    Do you think the sand and rock had enough Ammonia to Nitrate converting bacteria that the tank is essentially cycled?
     
  2. Dec 12, 2013 #2
    Pygmey Cedar Rapids, IA

    Pygmey Well-Known ReefKeeper

    751
    Cedar Rapids, IA
    Ratings:
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    Any ideas?
     
  3. Dec 12, 2013 #3
    Lee

    Lee Experienced Reefkeeper

    1,292
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    It's possible with using the established LR that you avoided the cycle. You really havent added any Ammonia yet though to be sure....unless you have fish already in there?

    I'm assuming your readings above are supposed to be 0 nitrite? not 0 nitrate?
     
  4. Dec 12, 2013 #4
    Pygmey Cedar Rapids, IA

    Pygmey Well-Known ReefKeeper

    751
    Cedar Rapids, IA
    Ratings:
    +119 / 1 / -0
    Correct 0 Nitrite.. The LR was in a bucket for 3 days with a little water.. Tank seemed ok but I could tell the sand bed had crashed.. So I was really expecting some die off and ammonia from the rock.. It did not smell bad though.. I am wanting to add some clownfish but was really hoping to see a proper cycle
     
  5. Dec 12, 2013 #5
    Lee

    Lee Experienced Reefkeeper

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    You know the sang: "nothing good happens quick in a reef tank....." I would still let it sit awhile. Good news is that clowns are pretty hardy and should surive a mini-cycle should it occur.
     
  6. Dec 12, 2013 #6
    Sponge Marshalltown, IA

    Sponge Expert Reefkeeper Vendor

    3,347
    Marshalltown, IA
    Ratings:
    +233 / 1 / -0
    I would wait and confirm that there is nitrification going on to where it will handle fish. The bacteria on the rock could have died if the water got too cold, no flow, etc. The nitrate could be just from the rock and not indicating there is nitrification. I know it's difficult, but I would wait at least a week and then test params. You could add a little ammonia (or a small pinch of fish food or raw shrimp) and see what happens. No sense stressing Clowns if the tank isn't ready. Let us know!
     

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