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JT101 · 07-23-2007, 09:46 AM

OK, this is really going to expose my "newbie" status:

I have an AquaPod 24 that was started with Nutri-SeaWater, 18lbs. of live rock and 204lbs. of live sand on 6/14/07.

My dilemma is, I honestly do not know what a fully "cycled" tank appear to look like through the eyes of the normal chemical tests. I have been checking my chemicals every few days but I don't know what I am looking for.as a jumping off point. I mean, I understand the basics, like I know the ammonia and nitrates should be as low as possible, but exactly what does "cycling" have to do with this? Do certain chemicals rise and fall at a certain predictable rate, then finally settle out?

If so, then can someone help me with the approximate schedule?

I have seen numerous times that six weeks is enough time to cycle a tank, but I won't know what that means when I get there (my tank will be 5 weeks old this Friday).

Thanks
John

07-23-2007, 09:46 AM	#1 (permalink)
JT101 Neon dottyback Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Hicksville NY Posts: 661 View Gallery Karma Komment	Just exactly what is a 'cycled' tank OK, this is really going to expose my "newbie" status: I have an AquaPod 24 that was started with Nutri-SeaWater, 18lbs. of live rock and 204lbs. of live sand on 6/14/07. My dilemma is, I honestly do not know what a fully "cycled" tank appear to look like through the eyes of the normal chemical tests. I have been checking my chemicals every few days but I don't know what I am looking for.as a jumping off point. I mean, I understand the basics, like I know the ammonia and nitrates should be as low as possible, but exactly what does "cycling" have to do with this? Do certain chemicals rise and fall at a certain predictable rate, then finally settle out? If so, then can someone help me with the approximate schedule? I have seen numerous times that six weeks is enough time to cycle a tank, but I won't know what that means when I get there (my tank will be 5 weeks old this Friday). Thanks John