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No nitrite spike in cycle


piano15

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Hi everyone, need some advice.

 

I have been cycling my tank since june 20th. During my testing I have seen ammonia and nitrate spikes but I never had a nitrite spike.

 

I started testing june 22, not once when I tested have I seen nitrites. I have never experienced a cycle like this.

 

I am seeing a small amount of brown dusting on my rocks, looks like diatoms.

 

I'm just unsure of when I can start adding cuc?

 

Current tests, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, 10ppm nitrates

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It's possible to have an established cycle without ever having an ammonia and/or nitrite spike. However, we know that since your tank has nitrate, it's processing both ammonia and nitrite. With ammonia being undetectable, you could start adding a cleanup crew if you wish.

 

I generally don't even test nitrite. It's not very toxic in marine systems (due to the pH), so ammonia is a better test to administer to determine if the nitrifying bacteria is able to keep up with the ammonia production.

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Thanks so much seabass!

 

If my ph is low, is there anyway to up it?

 

When should I start doing water changes?

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How did you start your cycle (bacteria in a bottle)? At only 10 days it's likely you're not cycled. Why are you running your lights during your cycle (not necessary and just fuels algae growth)? I wouldn't add a cuc until you've got something for them to eat (more than a dusting of diatoms).

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What's the pH? It's likely that you don't need to adjust it. If you want, you could start water changes now.

 

I wouldn't add a cuc until you've got something for them to eat (more than a dusting of diatoms).

I agree. Hold off on getting herbivores until you notice a little algae growth. However, you could add a few carnivores (like Nassarius Snails), and omnivores (like Cerith Snails or a Dwarf Blue Leg Hermit Crab). Then you could feed them sparingly with fish food for awhile.

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I'm not running my lights during my cycle. That was part of my set up specs.

 

I cycled my tank with liverock and live sand. The livesand came with a bag of bacteria.

 

I have always cycled my tanks with liverock and fish food.

My ph was 7.4

 

I was thinking of adding a hermit or two

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