Cycling my 12G

[cburns32]

Yeah I get it, it has been about two and a half weeks since I started the cycle, I have loads of algae everywhere on the glass, sand and rocks, I'm going to test today, and then possibly do a water change and go get some inverts at the local LFS, any suggestions on cleaners, or is to early?

[dobejazz]

It is way to early for inverts and a cleaner crew You need your Ammonia - trites and trates to read ZERO for at least 2 weeks in my opinion before you add any livestock

[cburns32]

Aight, I'll prolly test again today or tomarrow so I'll post the results ASAP

[cburns32]

Day 20 Test Results

pH - 8.2-8.3ish
Ammonia - 0 ppm
Nitrite - 5.0+ ppm
Nitrate - 160+ ppm
Specific Gravity - 1.024-1.025ish
Salinity - 34-35ish
Temperature - 81 F

Is this normal for the nitrites and nitrates to be this high at this stage in the cycle?

[Ganomish]

Somebody correct me if I am wrong, those nitrates are off the chart! I would be worried about killing my live rock critters. Looks like his NH3 and NO2 are done cycling. Wouldn't it be time for a water change? Maybe 50%?
I think you need to get your Nitrates stabilized below 25 before adding any cleaners.

I am no authority, but I would do a water change to push the nitrates down, and see if they are stabilizing over a few days. If they are, then push them a bit more, down to 20 and add some hardy cleaners. You really shouldn't add any corals/anenomes until you are below 5 in Nitrates, preferably 0. Could be a while.

[daveat]

i wouldn't do any water changes yet... the idea of cycling is to have a spike... it should go down very shortly. the nitrItes should go down shortly and then the nitrAtes will go down shortly therafter... with no fish or anything you should be able to get 0 for all of your numbers, then add a fish or a cleaner but stock it SLOWLY, each fish you add will give a small spike

[Ganomish]

True , the nitrites are still a little high, (should go to zero after the cycle) but aren't those nitrates insane. I don't even know if my test kit goes to to 160. I must admit to not having cycled a large number of tanks, but those nitrates will take forever to drop from 160.
Do other people see a Nitrate spike that high?

[daveat]

I have seen it in a LR curing vat i did before but i always try to put several established live rock in a tank to speed the curing process. but i have heard of people getting spikes that are off the chart..... also with some test kits you need to read the directions... the API test kit you have to shake the bottle for at least 30 sec. and then shake the test tube for one min, then wait five min!!

steps like that are VERY important

[Ganomish]

FYI CBurns:
You said a while back you are going to use rubble in your compartments. I suggest you get some larger mesh nylon bags, so you can easily pull it out for cleaning. I picked up some real nice "pea rock" (about 4-7mm) that works great in such bags in my Aquapod compartments.
Lots of surface area and good flow.

I brought back a bucket of the stuff from the KEYS last time I was there.

Regards
Fred

[Woodstock]

Get a second opinion on the testing. Your LFS should test your water for free.

After the nitrItes drop to zero and you begin to perform water changes, make sure you mix the newly made salt water overnight and test it PRIOR to using it to make sure it matches the main tank. I would then concentrate on reducing the nitrAtes to 10 ppm or less BEFORE adding any livestock. Doing daily 30% water changes would be a good plan.

If you have algae issues, make sure to use a phosphate remover (phosban) and use ro/di filtered water instead of tap.

[daveat]

agreed w/ woodstock with everything, but i don't agree with doing large water changes... just my opinion-i'm sure there are lots of others

[cburns32]

Aight, well I'm gonna go test the water right now, and possibly do a water change, I'll post the results and everything else on here ASAP

[cburns32]

Day 26 results:

pH - 8.2-8.3ish
Ammonia - 0ppm
Nitrite - 0ppm
Nitrate - 15ppm
S.G. - 1.025
Sal. - 40
Temp. - 81 F

I think I'll go get some cleaners tonight, maybe just a few snails, a hermit or two, and possibly one shrimp, what do you all think?

[Witfull]

i would wait on the shrimp. let the cleaners get to work, then next week test to see how things are going.

[Ganomish]

cburns,
You sound like all of us!
Just trying to sneak that shrimp in. Maybe no one will notice. :-)
I'm with Witfull. Go for the heavy duty cleaners, some Astreas and hermits if you are going with crabs in your cleanup crew.
Shrimp can be expensive and aren't as hardy.
My 2 cents
Fred