SOS So I'm an idiot...

[scottmin137]

So, I'll keep it quick. I'm completely new to this, but I have done my research. However, I've already made my first mistake.

 

I'm setting up a Fusion Nuvo 20 gallon tank and having started the water cycle, I thought it wise to get myself a heater.

 

I was so proud of myself when I read the instructions and set it up....So proud I did it right...

 

Two full days later my friend pointed out to me that I had used the wrong mark on the heater to set my temperature. I had set it somewhere between 85-92........

 

So, nothing is living in my tank yet besides bacteria, Just live rock and sand. I know I need to let the water cycle and the bacteria in said sand and live rock do its thing. So, here's my question, have I cooked them all into oblivion?

 

 

I have gas bubbles forming in my sand. So, that's good news right? Orrrrrr do I need to go out, get new sand and rock and start from scratch?

 

 

Yep, as I said, off to a solid start.

 

THANKS GUYS!

[ReefWeeds]

No need for new sand and rock. But you might need to get some ammonia in there to get the bacteria regrowing

[scottmin137]

Ohthankgoodness. Awesome! Thanks so much!

[ReefWeeds]

Ohthankgoodness. Awesome! Thanks so much!

Sure thing! Welcome to NR by the way

[Astinus]

Hey Scottmin! Welcome to NR! Stella is great. Good advice.

As far as I can Think, it would take much higher temps to "Cook" any bacteria.

The way I see it, to kill bacteria would be a very high temp, like near boiling water temp (212)

Some Bacteria THRIVE at Body Temp of 98.6 So, I think u should be okay!

Have fun with Build

[CronicReefer]

Your tank will actually cycle faster at a higher temp. Warmer temperatures help increase bacteria growth to a certain point. Of course you would want to let things cool back down to below 80 before adding any inhabitants.

[ReefWeeds]

Your tank will actually cycle faster at a higher temp. Warmer temperatures help increase bacteria growth to a certain point. Of course you would want to let things cool back down to below 80 before adding any inhabitants.

Nice!!! I learned something new!! I will have to remember this.

[scottmin137]

Your tank will actually cycle faster at a higher temp. Warmer temperatures help increase bacteria growth to a certain point. Of course you would want to let things cool back down to below 80 before adding any inhabitants.

 

 

Are there any risks? Or, can I turn up the heater, keep my eye on the water levels, and get to having critters quicker?

[CronicReefer]

Are there any risks? Or, can I turn up the heater, keep my eye on the water levels, and get to having critters quicker?

The only risk would be losing any of the smaller organisms that might come on live rock (if it was purchased wet). Otherwise just set the temp to 90 and let it cycle.

[nancymatthews]

And when your tank is cycled and ready for fish and coral, remember to not knock the heater up by accident.

My husband did that to my 28 g one night by accident. Needless to say, I woke up to my house smelling like a Red Lobster restaurant. My whole livestock was cooked

[Astinus]

And when your tank is cycled and ready for fish and coral, remember to not knock the heater up by accident.

My husband did that to my 28 g one night by accident. Needless to say, I woke up to my house smelling like a Red Lobster restaurant. My whole livestock was cooked

Sorry to hear that!

[nancymatthews]

Sorry to hear that!

Thank you. It was awful. That happened back in 2012. At the time I thought, "why in the hell would a heater for a marine tank not have a max limit!?!? No one heats their aquarium that has fish and coral at a temperature of over 90 degrees." Anyway, you learn and press on.

[Clown79]

Bacteria multiply in higher temps. Since there is no livestock in the tank, I can't imagine any harm is done. Ppl have set up tanks with no heater and have had no issues.

 

If it was established with livestock, then there would be problems.

 

Now you can start testing the tank for the cycle period.

 

Btw welcome

[scottmin137]

Awesome, thanks to all of you so much!

[scottmin137]

HEY GUYS! Update: if anyone by chance sees this before I start a whole new thread.

 

So, two weeks in, and one 25% water change a week ago. I have no ammonia, no nitrite, and basically no nitrate. I checked it twice so I'm confident my numbers are right. So, next to nothing of anything. Any idea if I'm done with my cycle, or did I actually end up killing everything?

 

My understanding is when I'm free of ammonia, and nitrite, I should have a decent amount of Nitrate, which there is none. Soooooo, what's going on?

 

THANKS!

[Clown79]

Has there ever been any ammonia detectable? If since the beginning you have not seen any of the 3, then no you aren't done or possibly started. To be difinitive we need specifics.

 

What did you do for the cycle to start?

 

Liverock

Cured liverock

Dry rock

 

Ammonia dosing? Bacteria added?

 

If you have seen ammonia rise then drop, the same with nitrite, and then seen nitrate, I would say yes.

 

The normal cycle process is:

 

Ammonia rises, processes and drops to 0

Then nitrite does the same

Nitrates increase as the nitrite processes, then a water change is performed to reduce the nitrates.

 

 

The temp is not an issue.

 

We need more information in order to guide you in the right direction

 

Here is a link on cycling tanks.

 

https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/cycling-a-saltwater-aquarium/

[Astinus]

Excellent advice Clown

[Mariaface]

Just a couple of thoughts:

 

Higher temp helps, but past 86F you're going to start limiting the oxygen levels in the water. The nitrifying bacteria really need oxygen to be able to process ammonia/nitrite, so I wouldn't go much higher than that.

 

85-92 is a big range. Do you have a backup thermometer to double-check the actual temperature? You'll likely want to settle around 78-82F; pick one number and stay as close to it as possible throughout the day.

[CronicReefer]

To know for sure if your tank has completed the nitrogen cycle:

 

1)Dose tank to a level of 1-2ppm ammonia.

2)Check ammonia in 24hour, if it is not 0 then your tank is not cycled. Repeat step 1.

3)Don't worry about nitrites, these are not toxic in the marine environment. Save your time and money .

4)If your tank is at 0 ammonia do a 90% water change to remove all the nitrates that have been created

5)Prepare for the algae cycle

[scottmin137]

So, it was cured live rock, live sand, and salt water from a mix. My ammonia had been higher, then dropped down to next to zero.

 

Forgetting I had posted here, I went to my local store, and the guy there suggested my cycle was probably done. Got me 5$ worth star polyps, and a little hermit crab. Three days later the coral has opened and seems happy as a clam, looks to be already attaching itself to the rock already. The hermit crab is still kicking, has made himself what can only be described as a racetrack, having perfectly flattened out a ring around the edge of the tank.

 

I guess my next question is, is it time to go for it? And how much do I put in there? The tank still seems so clean and steril. No alge or anything that I can see. Everything says add an "alge attack crew" of snails and crabs, but as far as I can tell there's nothing for them to eat yet. I don't know if the hermit crab is slowly starving to death, or if he's found some grub but he seems active and content. How long will it be before he starves if there's nothing to eat? (He's a tiny little guy, like a third of a centimeter across.)

 

I'm assuming it's safe at this point to throw some coral in there, and I plan to do that on Wednesday, but as far as critters goes for a 20 gallon tank that still looks pristine, how much, and what exactly would you suggest putting in?

 

 

Also, thank you to each and every one of you who has helped me with this. Thanks for bearing with me, I really do appreciate it!

[Clown79]

You could put a tiny bit of food in the tank for the hermit.

 

If there is no ammonia present and stays at zero after a waterchange for a few days, you can add a fish. At this point after adding any livestock, I'd test my ammonia to ensure there are no spikes.

 

Once you have a fish in there and you start feeding it, algae will start. Its not a definitive rule one will have a ton of algae after cycle.

 

As for cuc. Those packages are a waste of money. Buy what you need as you need it.

Start with a trochus and a nassarius. Once you are feeding regularly and algae starts thrn add more. Same with hermits.

[scottmin137]

Awesome, thanks!

[Clown79]

Yw