cycling question

[MBVette]

Just a quick question about getting the cycle going.

 

I added a bottle of live bacteria and I also just threw a raw shrimp into the sump. Those two things should be more than enough to start this cycle correct? Or should I do something else besides pissing into the tank?

[Coral Hind]

That is all you need, something to produce ammonia and the bacteria to convert it.

 

I don't use the shrimp method myself, just add fish, bacteria, and an ammonia binder like prime. Tanks be set up in one day like that.

[BowieReefer84]

Coral Hind, what happens to nitrites with "prime?" I know it binds ammonia, but won't high nitrite levels hurt fish/inverts also?

Edited October 11, 2012 by BowieReefer84

[Coral Hind]

Prime and similar products binds ammonia and nitrite in an inert state until the bacteria can process it. After a day or so the binding starts to breakdown so if any ammonia or nitrite are still present they need to be bound again. Many people don't know that and as a result don't re-dose the system. Keep re-dosing the system every two days until the ammonia / nitrite levels are gone. Ammonia and nitrite that are bound will still show up on a test kit. As long as you start off with light bio-loads it is pretty safe.

[Fishie]

i thought this was a lance armstrong related discussion

[MBVette]

I have been testing nitrates every day and I am up to 2.5-5 ppm right now (cant tell exact since the salifert kit I use jumps from 2.5-5) how high should I expect the nitrates to go? And at what point would you think the tank is ready for fish?

[Origami]

Nitrates are toxic to most fish only at very high levels. I would not be concerned with how most fish unless the reading climbed to above 100 ppm. It's a different story for corals. As long as your ammonia and nitrite levels are zero, you're good to go with the fish.

[Coral Hind]

I agree with Origami. The good thing is that because you are now seeing nitrates that means the cycle is well established. Post up the nitrite levels when you can, they should be dropping.

[MBVette]

I didnt pay much attention to the nitrite number just looked at the color. It has dropped over the last few days a little bit, but was never very high.

[MBVette]

Well I decided to go buy an ammonia test kit yesterday b/c I just did not like thinking the cycle is done w/o seeing an ammonia test. So I just performed the test and the ammonia is at 0! So I think I am good to go.

[Coral Hind]

You are good to go, just keep feeding the tank to make sure the cycle stays in place. When you go to add the fish add some additional bacteria and an ammonia binder. Then test for ammonia daily for a week to make sure you don't have another mini cycle from the added bio-load. With such a large tank you should be fine.