My parameters

[lionfish1]

My tank has been up for 17 days now, amonia=0, nitrite=5, nitrate=.5, PH 8.0, phosphates=.5, brown micro algae has covered everything, tank is a 110 gal reef ready with sump 150lbs of live rock 100lbs of live sand,ETS style downdraft skimmer with MH'VHO combination, is the tank comming along ok, can I run skimmer while cycling, no fish in the tank using the bioload of the live rock for the cycling, have also added a bottle of cycle, thanks again.

 

[lionfish1]

^

 

[lionfish1]

^^^

 

[Xphixer2]

Lionfish, I am not positive on the ammonia, nitrate cycle. I just wanted to add this: "patience"

I would give it another week, test the water then, wait another week, test, wait, test. I think after about 4-6 weeks, the cycle should be complete. It all depends on how cured the live rock was, how much die off it had on it. Even after the ammonia/nitrite/nitrate levels have equaled out, you will almost certainly have the occasional outbreak of brown/red/green hair/ algae. give it some time, good luck. keep us posted. Rich

 

[Anonymous]

I'd run the skimmer. Why the heck not?

 

[Rich-n-poor]

IMO it looks like the cycle is coming along fine for the following reasons:

First your ammonia is 0 this is the first toxic chemical produced and apparently the bacteria have formed which eliminate it

Second nitrate is 5 this is the second toxic chemical to be produced as the bacteria break the ammonia down they produce nitrites new bacteria will grow which will consume this also

Third Nitrate is present which shows bacteria is starting to break the nitrite down into nitrate and will just take time to mature

However you must be patient the cycle is operating as it should but is not ready til you read 0 on both ammonia and nitrite. Personally i dont see any problem running a skimmer when cycling. IMO i would raise the PH to 8.2 and i would think you will have a problem with algea with any measureable phosphates

HTH

_________________
Mercedes R231

 

[lionfish1]

Thanks guys, will keep you posted.

 

[esmithiii]

Definitely run the skimmer. You do not need to add fish- the liverock will "seed" the cycling process.

Patience.