so i tested my water parm. two days after i set up my tank. it can up 0 on everything....checked it today almost 6 days later and 0 on everything again. now i dont think its cycled because i would think i would have some nitrates so how long for it to start? its a 20long, about 26lbs live sand and 17lbs live rock. also checked my test kit against another and same results. thanks
how long for cycle to start
- Thread starter movitt
- Start date
I'm not sure but if you have that much LR then maybe your tank is already full of nitrogen converting bacteria...and if you have crushed coral it seeds really fast I heard...
but don't trust me at all, my first SW tank is still cycling...
but don't trust me at all, my first SW tank is still cycling...
After 2 days do you think you even started a cycle? You need time for ammonia and nitrates to build up. You also need to feed the bacteria. So put a couple of fish flakes into the water to get it started.
Remember that all things need to eat. So if you don't feed something, it will die.
Remember that all things need to eat. So if you don't feed something, it will die.
if the rock was all fully cured (like from a guy tearing down his tank) there should be little to no cycle..
it' very possible that you just dont have an ammonia source..
throw some table shrimp or krill into a pantyhose and let that fester for a few weeks that'll do the trick
it' very possible that you just dont have an ammonia source..
throw some table shrimp or krill into a pantyhose and let that fester for a few weeks that'll do the trick
i put in fish food the day it got set up.i understand the cycle process.as for the rock some was in a sump tank for a long time but the rest was from a lfs. and no i dont think after 2 days i started a cycle....look back at the title
Well then if you know how the cycle process works, then you know it takes time.
If there is no source of ammonia/nitrates, then the only thing happening is bacteria will not be feeding and converting anything to nitrites.
Patience. Take daily readings.
Throw a piece of market shrimp in there to get things started.
I would like to think that there aren't many LFS that have real cured LR. Especially if they get quick shipments to replace the sold rock.
If there is no source of ammonia/nitrates, then the only thing happening is bacteria will not be feeding and converting anything to nitrites.
Patience. Take daily readings.
Throw a piece of market shrimp in there to get things started.
I would like to think that there aren't many LFS that have real cured LR. Especially if they get quick shipments to replace the sold rock.
I've had my new set up for about 3 weeks now, and I still haven't had it cycle over yet, I've heard it can take as long as 6 weeks. I've got some starter fish, domino damsel, 3 hermits, an emerald crab, snail and just today added two clowns and an anenome. (was told by the fish store they should be hardy enough to survive.) I running a 29 gall with 40lbs of live sand, and 15lbs of lr (cured). I want to get about 10lbs more before I add the coral in.