Tank cycle parameters

[ryanc1025]

New build here. I have a 100 gallon with a 30 gallon sump. Currently 1 week in to cycle. I dosed tims one and only and have 2 clowns in the tank. Used dry rock and dry sand. When, if ever, should I expect any changes with my water parameters during the cycle? Or could it already be cycled?

Current parameters:

1.026 SG
0.00-0.25 AMMONIA
0 NITRITE
0 NITRATE
temp 78F

Lights have been off other than to take pictures.

Thanks in advance

 

[Bruttall]

It takes about 10 days for the Nitrifying Bacteria Cycle to start. When you start to see positive levels of Nitrates you have established the cycle.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

The tank is still cycling, maintain the course and hold off on adding more livestock until you see nitrate reading.

 

[Bruttall]

I'm kind of waiting for someone to mention the fish in what is basically an uncycled tank, BUT 2 little fish in what is about 115gallons of water should not create any issues what so ever, they do not produce enough waste, there will most likely be more ammonia added from uneaten food than from those fishes waste.

Turn your lights on for 6 to 8 hours a day. You want the algae bloom to happen. Your tank has to go thru the algae phases. As soon as you see algae creeping down into your sand bed, invest in a clean up crew. I suggest browsing the packages for your size tank at reefcleaners.org and stocking accordingly. Also good idea to add Copepods and Ampipods about that same time. The inverts are your backbone for a healthy system.

 

[ryanc1025]

I'm kind of waiting for someone to mention the fish in what is basically an uncycled tank, BUT 2 little fish in what is about 115gallons of water should not create any issues what so ever, they do not produce enough waste, there will most likely be more ammonia added from uneaten food than from those fishes waste.

Turn your lights on for 6 to 8 hours a day. You want the algae bloom to happen. Your tank has to go thru the algae phases. As soon as you see algae creeping down into your sand bed, invest in a clean up crew. I suggest browsing the packages for your size tank at reefcleaners.org and stocking accordingly. Also good idea to add Copepods and Ampipods about that same time. The inverts are your backbone for a healthy system.

Thank you, appreciate the feedback. I did quite a bit of research prior to going the fish in cycle route and found that my total capacity should be fine while introducing the bacteria. Also found out after i joined R2R that it's an unpopular approach...lights are going on now and will be proobably be ordering pods and the CUC this week. I'll be putting up a QT tank as well just in case my ammonia gets out of whack.

 

[ryanc1025]

Another week in, lights on for 6 hours a day. Switched from API tests to salifert ammonia and nitrate. Daily feedings for the 2 clowns, sometimes twice a day.... still 0 ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. Figured I would be seeing nitrites at minimum at this point.

 

[PharmrJohn]

When I reboot, I'm gonna go REALLY slow. Part of that is going to be recognizing the time to make sure I have a good environment to introduce livestock. And then do that slowly (starting at 2 months). Remember, you are the steward of these lifeforms and they need not only an environment suitable for life, but suitability for a comfortable life. In terms of lighting, I would wait a while. Something like 2.5 months. This will minimize algae growth (the ugly phase). Algae is photosynthetic. And algae likes Nitrates. Combine those two together early and you may end up with the mess that was my first serious attempt at reefing. I know that there is a certain amount of impatience when starting this hobby. That's completely normal. But I would err on the side of caution, especially at the beginning.