does it look like my cycle started yet

[junk]

Ok, so I'm very impatient. :-[

Set up my bc14 two nights ago.

Yesterday's readings were:
Ammonia = .4
Nitrites = 2
PH = 7.8
Nitrates = 40

Todays's were:
Ammonia = 1.2
Nitrites = 3

I know patience is key, but santa hasn't brought any patience yet ;D

 

[REEFLECTIONS]

patience is a virtue ..... you can ask santa for it, but he'll just make you wait

 

[Edwardw771]

get some bio spira.

 

[calaxa]

Man how do you guys get nitrates 40 in 2 days? That is some rock you bought

 

[junk]

Man how do you guys get nitrates 40 in 2 days? That is some rock you bought

I thought that was bad, no? That 40 was after only 1 day, not to mention the rock sat in a cold car boxed up for 24 hrs prior to getting into the tank (fender bender caused).

 

[junk]

get some bio spira.

Hmm, never heard of that. I'll see if OGII carries it. Was hoping cycle had started as the goal was to get this established in the basement then move to the family room when santa comes

 

[REEFLECTIONS]

whoa... hit the brakes.... you're not starting, and cycling a tank and putting live stock in it in a week.... kinda rushing this way too much, you're just gonna kill things, abd create an unpleasant experience for everyone involved

 

[Hawkeye]

i could be wrong by bio spira is in the refrigerated section I believe - I don't know if OG II or which LFS carries it. I thought about going that route too but just ended up buying cured LR from another reefer on this board.

I wouldn't put anything in there with any readings on Ammonia or Nitrite.

 

[redfishbluefish]

....not to mention the rock sat in a cold car boxed up for 24 hrs prior to getting into the tank.

Isn't this a little scary? I would venture this would cause a spike as well from the killer chill.

 

[Bryan]

I don't know if it is right but its my rule of thumb. When your tank turns a really nice green after the rust stage(bright yellowish orange algae on everything) you are good to go. Don't touch the tank till this happens. then clean the glass and sand if you are using it, wait a day for really clear water and add live stock. This takes between a week and two most of the time. Anyone that can tell me this is wrong please do and tell me why so I know.

 

[redfishbluefish]

My suggestion would be to do a search on cycling a saltwater aquarium to get a better idea of what needs to happen.  It takes (while waving my hands in the air), 2  -  6 weeks to cycle a tank.  The measure of when it is done is by testing for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.  The difference in time to cycle is, in part, from using existing live rock or other goodies from an existing tank to introduce the bacteria into the tank.  The quicker you get the bacterial wort growing, the quicker the cycle.

Breifly, what occurs is that there is a spike in ammonia (you can induce this by adding a few drops into the tank).  This eventually causes “ammonia” eating bacteria to flourish.  They produce nitrite as a waste, causing a spike in nitrite.  This causes for nitrite eating bacteria to flourish.  During this stage, ammonia will drop to zero (or close to it).  The nitrite bacteria produce nitrate.  Once you see this spike, you're ready for a water change and starting to add other critters. 

To answer your original post question, continue testing ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, and you will be able to chart the stages of your cycle.

 

[Edwardw771]

bio spira is sold cold or right on the shelf. It will cycle a tank over night.

 

[junk]

Thanks. Yes, I realize the cycle takes a while to complete. I was simply saying I'd hoped it would complete prior to Christmas, but if it hasn't then it will remain an empty tank till it has 0 amonia and 0 nitrites. Yes, it's frustrating to wait, and yes I realize it's something I need to do. I will take a look at that bio spira if I can find any.

 

[Bryan]

a piece or all already live rock might be why mine tend to go really fast i don't know but whatever works good luck