Cycle help

[90addict]

So over the past month or so I've gotten so much info/guidance, and trying to establish a plan for my first saltwater tank has been semi stressful lol. I'll give you a run down on my tank so far and what I've done, then I'll ask the question lol...

55gl, 40lb caribsea live sand, 40lb live rock strait from LFS tanks, 20-30lb dry rock, reef crystals salt.

I started with a fishless cycle by adding Dr tims one and only and also adding ammonium chloride per the bottle. My ammonia jumped to around 5ppm. After posting another post, I was suggested to do a water change. It came down to about 2-3ppm. I also learned that with the amount of live rock I put in, I could of skipped the cycle process and I should of never added ammonium chloride. Should of just added fish. Since then, ammonia has came down to zero. Stalled for a few days at .5ppm but did come down to zero. Against some people's advice but advice from my lfs, I added 2 damsels about a week ago while ammonia was at .5ppm.

So here's my question... Am I on my way to cycling or did I skip. I've never seen nitrites. Nitrates have been between 5-10ppm the entire time. My main question would be, is there a way to "test" if I'm cycled? I know with fishless cycle, you can add 2ppm ammonia and you want it gone in 24hrs. How do you do that with 2 damsels in the tank? I'm waiting for cycle so I can add paired clowns

Some pics below for reference

 

[Red_Beard]

Don’t worry about the ‘cycle’ anymore. Do however pay close attention to how much you feed your fish and take future additions slow. Once the tank digests ammonia it is fish safe, but the ‘stability’ piece is not going to be there for a few more months. Do test weekly for the next month just to keep an eye on it, but the next thing is going to be dinos, cyano, and the uglies. Then after stuff balances out you are g2g.

 

[90addict]

Don’t worry about the ‘cycle’ anymore. Do however pay close attention to how much you feed your fish and take future additions slow. Once the tank digests ammonia it is fish safe, but the ‘stability’ piece is not going to be there for a few more months. Do test weekly for the next month just to keep an eye on it, but the next thing is going to be dinos, cyano, and the uglies. Then after stuff balances out you are g2g.

Pay close attention to feeding so ammonia doesn't go up? Sorry I'm super new but trying to learn... Also, do you think I can add clowns now or should I wait. Thank you

 

[PharmrJohn]

You're cycled. You have a bioload (albeit minimal, but still a bioload) and your ammonia level, with feeding and waste production is at and remaining zero. You've got nitrates and that's great. Don't worry about nitrites. Back 15 years ago, yes, we monitored, but not anymore.

Now.....GO SLOW!!! You don't want to go on a fish addition frenzy. Add one larger or two smaller (if they come in pairs), wait a few weeks and add more if you want. I would, at this point, leave the lights off. And I'd keep 'em off for six to eight weeks or so. Much of your ugly phase is mediated by light and photosynthesis, (e.g. diatoms and dinos). What you're aiming for is a steady colonization of nitrifying bacteria on as much of your surface area as possible (competition for space). With no corals, light is unnecessary. Fish don't care. You may have an outbreak of cyano during this time, but you can explore options if that occurs (and it probably will). Just don't go nuclear in treatment until all other good Husbandry options have been exhausted (that goes for diatoms and dinos as well). The ugly phase comes and goes on its own in the majority of cases.

So! Sit back and relax! Don't stress. You're right where you should be! In fact, this would be a good time to decide and come up with a list of fish you want in your tank. This is important if you're gonna have a FOWLR as opposed to a reef tank. When you have your list, submit it for review if you have questions as to compatability. It's also noteworthy to realize that the ORDER you put the fish in is important. Some are more territorial than others.

Sorry. Long post. Have fun!

 

[90addict]

You're cycled. You have a bioload (albeit minimal, but still a bioload) and your ammonia level, with feeding and waste production is at and remaining zero. You've got nitrates and that's great. Don't worry about nitrites. Back 15 years ago, yes, we monitored, but not anymore.

Now.....GO SLOW!!! You don't want to go on a fish addition frenzy. Add one larger or two smaller (if they come in pairs), wait a few weeks and add more if you want. I would, at this point, leave the lights off. And I'd keep 'em off for six to eight weeks or so. Much of your ugly phase is mediated by light and photosynthesis, (e.g. diatoms and dinos). What you're aiming for is a steady colonization of nitrifying bacteria on as much of your surface area as possible (competition for space). With no corals, light is unnecessary. Fish don't care. You may have an outbreak of cyano during this time, but you can explore options if that occurs (and it probably will). Just don't go nuclear in treatment until all other good Husbandry options have been exhausted (that goes for diatoms and dinos as well). The ugly phase comes and goes on its own in the majority of cases.

So! Sit back and relax! Don't stress. You're right where you should be! In fact, this would be a good time to decide and come up with a list of fish you want in your tank. This is important if you're gonna have a FOWLR as opposed to a reef tank. When you have your list, submit it for review if you have questions as to compatability. It's also noteworthy to realize that the ORDER you put the fish in is important. Some are more territorial than others.

Sorry. Long post. Have fun!

Grateful for the long reply! Sometimes I need things spelled out lol. I did not know the order in which you add fish is important. Good to know! Thank you!

 

[Red_Beard]

Pay close attention to feeding so ammonia doesn't go up? Sorry I'm super new but trying to learn... Also, do you think I can add clowns now or should I wait. Thank you

No, like PharmerJohn says now is a good time to get a good plan going. I wouldn't add more fish for at least a few weeks. Some of the more sensitive fish even longer. Clowns and damsels are really hardy though.