Cycling 55g

[bvega789]

I have been cycling my 55g since Apr 24th and I added 3 pieces of shrimp to help feed the bacteria and I added a small bottle of nitrifying bacteria to help my dead LR and LS. Also I dosed the tank with 6 drops of pure ammonia yesterday and today. The smell has died down and the water had cleared up but

When should I remove the shrimp because they have the fungus around them now???

 

[bvega789]

Bump

 

[Jlavine]

Remove them now. I also don't recommend ammonia, but just my opinion.


The live rock, live sand and added bacteria will be enough. Just give it time and monitor levels as needed. Try to get some live rock from a vendor or member to help seed the tank more.

 

[bvega789]

Ok cool why not the added ammonia and how do you feel about the shrimp

 

[Lenny718]

Don't need the shrimp so take it out now. I also used ammonia when cycling my 45 and I liked it, I was able to tell when I had enough Nitrifying bacteria to neutralize any ammonia I added before I added any fish so I was 100% certain the tank was cycled. I used the Dr Tims fishless cycle and it works great, just gotta test often and don't over dose.

 

[bvega789]

Don't need the shrimp so take it out now. I also used ammonia when cycling my 45 and I liked it, I was able to tell when I had enough Nitrifying bacteria to neutralize any ammonia I added before I added any fish so I was 100% certain the tank was cycled. I used the Dr Tims fishless cycle and it works great, just gotta test often and don't over dose.

How long did it cycle for

 

[Lenny718]

How long did it cycle for

I think it was about 3-4 weeks but it was done using all dry reef rock. More details in my build thread http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/tank-threads/178051-lenny718s-new-jbj-45g-rimless.html

 

[bvega789]

Thanks man

 

[bvega789]

Should I do a water change????

 

[Lenny718]

Should I do a water change????

I usually do one when the cycle is complete.

 

[bvega789]

Thanks man and when should I add an CUC

 

[Lenny718]

I would wait till you have zero nitrite and zero ammonia then do a 20% water change, after that I would start to add my cuc and maybe a small hardy fish.

 

[bvega789]

Ok

 

[bvega789]

I would wait till you have zero nitrite and zero ammonia then do a 20% water change, after that I would start to add my cuc and maybe a small hardy fish.

I setup the tank on 4/24

So after 5days my ppms are:

Ammonia is at 0ppm

Nitrite is at 1ppm

Nitrate is at 100pm

PH is 7.8 or below


What should I do ????

 

[Lenny718]

I setup the tank on 4/24

So after 5days my ppms are:

Ammonia is at 0ppm

Nitrite is at 1ppm

Nitrate is at 100pm

PH is 7.8 or below


What should I do ????

Wow, honestly I would invest in new test kits lol. For your nitrate to be 100ppm and have 0 ammonia and very little nitrite in only a few days of cycling something is defiantly wrong. I never went above 10ppm of nitrate my entire cycle.

 

[bvega789]

So should I do a water change or just get a new kit for now lol

 

[Lenny718]

Honestly before spending the money try bringing a water sample to a lfs for a second opioion. Could be that raw shrimp which is why I hate that method, if you don't take it out in time it can really pollute your tank,but still at day 5 you should still have ammonia.

 

[bvega789]

Copy I'll keep you posted

 

[Buck0land]

Also you should tell us more about your system. How much rock and sand? Was it dry or live and is it from a LFS or did you buy it from someone shutting down their system.

 

[bvega789]

I got LS and LR from my old tank but I got somemore LS from someone live tank