Cycling, now what?

[Nameless]

I've been cycling for 9 days now, and believe it or not, my tank is mostly cycled, probably due to my 65 lbs. of live rock and no fish.

I have no intention of adding fish for at least 2 more weeks.

But, In the last 24 hours I've had a bloom of what I think are diatoms, and I'm pretty sure that they will die off when they run out of nutrients, but should I have snails and stuff in there now to be keeping it in check?

 

[Anonymous]

just out of curiosity, what are your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate readings?

 

[speck]

It would be good to add snails and crabs, but I don't think they will do much for your bloom.

You are correct, the diatoms(if that's what they are)will run thier course with in a few weeks and go away.

Happy reefing!

[ November 11, 2001: Message edited by: speck ]</p>

 

[Nameless]

ammonia and nitrate zero, nitrates <10ppm

 

[Anonymous]

do you have a low range nitrate test?
it does sound like your tank is finishing the cycle. i wouldn't say it is over until the nitrates are undetectable.
speck is right about the diatoms going away once the nutrients zero out.

 

[SPC]

Moe, don't you mean Nitrites? BTW, your home page says it has been temporarily suspended, forgot to pay the bill again?

Steve

 

[Anonymous]

shoot, good catch SPC. i read the post as nitrates are less than 10 ppm.
so i have to rewrite:
i'd say if you still have nitrites - you're still in cycle. once they get converted into nitrates you're almost done.
you need zero ammonia, zero nitrites, and zero nitrates. that's the order they will likely process. i'd guess you have another week or two to go.

SPC; my webpage is kaput, i guess. i set it up when homestead was free. now that they charge, they shut access off. i don't feel like paying them.