cycling

Ctjim2005 · 09-14-2007, 08:12 PM

I just started a 55G tank I am on day 38 of the cycling process. Water temp is 78/79 Specific Gravity is 1.023/4 Salinity is 32. I just tested the water and Ammonia is still present@ 0.3, Nitrates @5, and Nitrites don't register. Where am I in the process? I am cycling with Live rock ( doesn't look to live to me). The stuff I bought for the bottom was supposed to have sea critters in it but I haven't seen any yet.

PS my name is Jim good to meet you folks!

duke62 · 09-14-2007, 08:40 PM

what brand tests are u using

duke62 · 09-14-2007, 08:41 PM

explain your whole system for us to get an idea of your total situation

**Deepwater** · 09-14-2007, 09:22 PM

Welcome aboard Jim

If you had any living critters they probably DOA with the cycle. But once your tank start to mature you wil have more then enough. You should wait until your levels are at 0 to add anything.

If the tank is going to be a fish only , then add one fish at a time and slowly dont rush to pack your tank with fish. If you are going to have corals. I would wait 2 weeks after the tanks cycles and then get a mushroom rock or zoanthid rock to test and see how they do.

What size is you tank ,and if you can give a run down of equipment sump test kits we can help a bit more

Deep

Ctjim2005 · 09-15-2007, 12:55 AM

The test kit is a Hagen, pretty expensive I think I could do my own lab work for a hospital. I have a Maxi jet 600 power head with a rotating head.and an emperor power filter with 2 bio wheels and nothing in the cartridge,oh yeah and a big *** light with 3 sets of lights for daylight, dawn and dusk made by coralife. The tank I think I mentioned is a 55 gallon. Also about 70 lbs of live rock.

duke62 · 09-15-2007, 08:46 AM

okay get rid of hagen tests they are horrible and get yourself salifert tests or i like for testing for amm,nitrites ,nitrates,and ph aqu pharmacuticals.are you making this a reef tank,if so your going to need a sump with a skimmer .and what it sounds like to me is your using pc lighting.how many watts is it.we need to know everything you are planning on doing or we cant help you

**Deepwater** · 09-15-2007, 10:43 AM

I would get another power head (seio 620 or 820 ) If you can use salifert test its its abit more accurate. try to raise your salinity to 1024/25

Deep

Ctjim2005 · 09-15-2007, 11:40 AM

I am planning to have fish and possibly add reef later. The lighting has 2 double 65watt white floresents ,2 double 65 actinic, and 4 led blue lights. I guess that would make it about 260 watts total. I've been reading a bit about reefs and they sound difficult for a beginner like me as I travel almost weekly and won't be here to do daily testing.

duke62 · 09-15-2007, 11:58 AM

you do not have to do daily testing if you get all the right equip.and you do it right the first time.get some books and do some research before jumping into this hobby.trust me i listened to the stores and got screwed royally.listen to what guys on here say and youll be fine even with travels