Is my tank cycled?

[ggg111]

5.5 gallon aquarium. Live rock that was out of water from LFS to home for about 1 hour max, packaged live sand.

 

DAY 2: NitrAte: 10, NitrIte: 0, Ammonia: .25, Ph: 8.2

 

Day 7: NitrAte: 5 or 10 (to close to call), NitrIte: 0, Ammonia: 0 or .25 (to close to call), Ph: 8.2.

 

I did not take measurements besides these two days. Is it cycled? No algea but I just got my lights today, plan on running them for 8 hours a day even though nothing in the tank yet. Can I add clean up crew? THANK YOU

[andrewguilfoy]

no

[ggg111]

Can you please elaborate. All of the stickies in the forum say that when your numbers get to those then the tank is cycled.... Am I missing something?

[lakshwadeep]

Was the LFS rock cured or uncured? If it was cured (which is equivalent to cycling), then it should not have had a significant cycle because of the short trip (although it would have been better in water). Also, if it was cured, you should be able to add a clean up crew in the future. Right now, there might not be enough algae.

[Neophyte]

The excitement of setting up a new tank is something we all have to deal with, the one thing to remember only bad things happen quickly; waiting a little longer is to make sure is always a better approach, as you want stability and not short term numbers.

 

As far as the clean up crew if there is no algae there is nothing for them to eat and will starve.

[ggg111]

He said it was "pretty much cured"... it was in a big tank with flowing water. There were no hitchhikers. There are still some tiny pieces flaking off the rocks (some is on the sand bed and didn't get sucked into the filter) but I think it is slowing down now. I will be running my lights starting tomorrow so maybe that will add algae? I was under the impression that the clean up crew was good to have once I add a fish so that they can eat the extra pieces of food that fall, so shouldn't I add something (hermit, snail) even if I don't get algae/never get algae? Is the tank fish ready?

 

Thank you for the above answer you really help.

 

Anyone?

[ggg111]

,Should I add a fish but no clean up crew since there is no algae?

[lakshwadeep]

First get your lights set up; you're not going to see much algae without lighting. The CUC for nano tanks also includes herbivores (because there are few herbivorous nano fish).

 

The reason I asked about curing is that uncured rock can be unpredictable, with the cycle only starting days after the rock was added.

 

Try adding the CUC first because they will be less of an impact on the filtration capacity than a fish. Besides, a 5.5 gallon tank is best for single, very small fish. If you want to have multiple or larger fish, you'll need a larger tank (at least 10-15 gallons).

[TheUnfocusedOne]

Patience is a virtue

 

If your unsure, wait a week.

[ggg111]

Should I be keeping my lights on 24/7 to get algae quicker or just leave them on for 6 hours a day?

[TheUnfocusedOne]

Should I be keeping my lights on 24/7 to get algae quicker or just leave them on for 6 hours a day?

 

Both are bad options, just leave it on the cycle your going to be using. I hope your planning on keeping your lights on for more than 6 hours a day.

[rolltide21]

Both are bad options, just leave it on the cycle your going to be using. I hope your planning on keeping your lights on for more than 6 hours a day.

 

I agree. Don't worry about getting algae quicker...you can never be too patient in this hobby. Just let things run their course and you'll save yourself some money and heartache.

[Bill Nye]

I agree. Don't worry about getting algae quicker...you can never be too patient in this hobby. Just let things run their course and you'll save yourself some money and heartache.

 

 

+1

 

It can be hard to just wait it out, especially being on this site for about 10 minutes and checking out all the cool stuff alot of members have going on in their tank. You gotta remember rome wasnt built in a day, and most of the awesome tanks you see have been set up for more than a year.

[lakshwadeep]

Most algae really isn't bad in the long run. The ones to look out for are usually invasive macroalgae like some Caulerpa or "bubble algae".

[Meengineer0128]

Patience is a virtue

 

If your unsure, wait a week.

+1. When I started my BC up, my girlfriend wanted to put something in it every week. I went 6 long weeks without sex (Can you belive that ####), but hey, my tank looks awesome and has very low nutrients. Plus I curl like 70 lbs now with one arm.

[ggg111]

So to be clear, I should wait until I get my algae before adding a clean up crew and then adding fish? I should NOT just add a fish right now even though I have no algae?

[lakshwadeep]

Your tank is fairly new, which is why a fish is not the best choice. Algae has to do with the CUC.

[LostinWater]

in a word, yes. Just relax, sit back and plan. It's better to wait then to rush. If you rush you could start putting things in and things start dieing and then you have a bigger problem. I would recommend waiting and also doing weekly water changes or bi weekly. If you do weeking, do 25-50%, bi weekly do 50-75%. Right now your prepping good water, so later you won't have an up hill battle.

 

I know it sucks waiting, but like Meengineer said, work on that forearm or just start planning for what you want for your tank.

[Dizzle21]

+1. When I started my BC up, my girlfriend wanted to put something in it every week. I went 6 long weeks without sex (Can you belive that ####), but hey, my tank looks awesome and has very low nutrients. Plus I curl like 70 lbs now with one arm.

 

 

hhahahhahahha hilarious! ^^^

 

and just be patient! you dont need a fish or a cuc or anything the first week.

i stared at rocks for a months and a half..

[ggg111]

So tomorrow should I add 1 hermit, which would gradually increase the bioload (less so than a fish or an entire CUC).. it could eat the dead stuff off my rocks and some fish food.... then next week I can add another, then the week after I could add 2 snails, then next week a fish then next week a shrimp? Nice and slow

[LostinWater]

Buddy, I know you want to add something, but wait. Don't add anything until it's fully cycled. If it's only been 1 full week, you should wait at least 3-5 weeks total, then test and then large water change, like 50-75%.

 

We are just trying to advise you with our experience.

[ggg111]

OK will do. Thanks. Moderator you can close the post to new comments because I'll stick with the above advice.