Cycling Help

ZachariahBeanz

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 15, 2024
Messages
225
Reaction score
93
Location
United States
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I’ve been cycling my tank for around a week, and I have a question. I added ammonium chloride about 21 hours ago, and I measured my parameters twice today. At 12:00, the ammonia was around 1-1.5ppm, and the nitrite was 1ppm. I just measured again, about six hours later and my ammonia is around 0.2ppm, and nitrites are around 1 still. Could I do a large water change (50%) and add fish tomorrow?
 

PharmrJohn

The Dude Abides
View Badges
Joined
Mar 19, 2019
Messages
2,880
Reaction score
6,681
Location
Shelton, Washington
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I would wait to add fish. I am planning on a 90 to 120G tank. When I cycle it, fish are not going to be part of the equation for 2 months. When Ammonia is zero. You CAN cycle with fish, and they will most likely live, but they will be uncomfortable. For me it's important to establish a fully cycled tank before adding livestock, and then to do that slowly.

With this hobby, it's important NOT to rush things. Patience is your best friend.
 

Uncle99

10K Club member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 22, 2018
Messages
10,536
Reaction score
16,025
Location
Province of Ontario
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
If a week ago, you added rock, sand, saltwater, flow and a bacteria source, then you are ready for your first fish

Water change? Sure, your nitrate number appears very low, but I’d do that.
 
OP
OP
ZachariahBeanz

ZachariahBeanz

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 15, 2024
Messages
225
Reaction score
93
Location
United States
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Live sand and rock, would be instantly cycled for fish additions, especially after water change.

A week seals the deal for sure.
Yeah, I’m only looking for a pair of clowns, so I don’t think that will increase the bioload too much?
 

FUNGI

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Jun 2, 2023
Messages
1,662
Reaction score
1,486
Location
COMPTON CALIFORNIA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
what are the benefits of cycling that long? I have live sand and dry rock. My tank is 20 gallons btw
For me, I travel for work, so I didnt want to bother testing etc etc etc.....
Put it all together, put a frozen shrimp in there for 4 days, took it out and walked away. Came back and tested for nitrates.....cycled.....added corals and fish
 
OP
OP
ZachariahBeanz

ZachariahBeanz

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 15, 2024
Messages
225
Reaction score
93
Location
United States
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
For me, I travel for work, so I didnt want to bother testing etc etc etc.....
Put it all together, put a frozen shrimp in there for 4 days, took it out and walked away. Came back and tested for nitrates.....cycled.....added corals and fish
Sorry, to clear it up, do you think my tank is ready?
 

FUNGI

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Jun 2, 2023
Messages
1,662
Reaction score
1,486
Location
COMPTON CALIFORNIA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
you dont mention Nitrates....I would wait....its just another day or so......BUT, clowns are damsels so they shouldnt have any issues.....
 

Randy Holmes-Farley

Reef Chemist
View Badges
Joined
Sep 5, 2014
Messages
72,235
Reaction score
69,908
Location
Massachusetts, United States
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Wouldn’t you want to, to get rid of the nitrates, and nitrites?

I don’t think you have much evidence of high nitrate (the nitrite interferes with testing nitrate) and the nitrite is no concern at that level.
 

PotatoPig

Valuable Member
View Badges
Joined
Jan 7, 2023
Messages
1,163
Reaction score
1,140
Location
USA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Oh sorry, my nitrates seemed be around 20
Nitrates at that level won’t hurt your fish, they’re not as big an issue in saltwater as they are in freshwater.

If you want to grow soft corals, or even some LPS, you’ll want to keep them about that high. There’s folks here who run successful reef tanks with nitrates a fair bit higher still.
 
OP
OP
ZachariahBeanz

ZachariahBeanz

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 15, 2024
Messages
225
Reaction score
93
Location
United States
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
yeah....should be well safe for your clowns
I think that’s perfect!
Enjoy your new friends….
So, there were shipping problems with the day I wanted the fish to come. I paid an extra $20 for the shipping to come the day I wanted. The amazing people at Cultivated Reef said I could pick an extra fish out of a couple options for $20! I ended up choosing an Orchid Dottyback. This should be fine, right?
 

Uncle99

10K Club member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 22, 2018
Messages
10,536
Reaction score
16,025
Location
Province of Ontario
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I have that fish but in a 180g.
They have some attitude so 20g going to be tight.
For sure need some rock in which it can stay.
Better to try now before the clowns stake their spilt.
 

TOP 10 Trending Threads

WHICH OF THESE CREEPY REEF CRITTERS IS MOST LIKELY TO GIVE YOU NIGHTMARES? (PICTURED IN THE THREAD)

  • The Bobbit Worm

    Votes: 50 66.7%
  • The Goblin Shark

    Votes: 4 5.3%
  • The Sea Wolf

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Giant Spider Crabs

    Votes: 1 1.3%
  • The Stargazer Fish

    Votes: 5 6.7%
  • The Giant Isopod

    Votes: 9 12.0%
  • The Giant Squid

    Votes: 1 1.3%
  • Other (Please explain!)

    Votes: 5 6.7%
Back
Top