End of cycling process?

[bernards]

Hi all, I need some advice here. I just got a NC24 from Aquamarin on Saturday. It was setup the very night with existing water and live rocks. Added a couple of bacteria pills yesterday. I did a test today and got a result of PH 7.8, Ammonia, NO2 and NO3 at 0 ppm.

Does this mean my tank is actually ready, or does it mean nothing has started yet? From what I understand, Ammonia, Nitrate and Nitrite will start to get excessive at different stages of the cycling process. Is it right for test results to be normal for a 3 days old tank?

[Alvin Tan]

Hi all, I need some advice here. I just got a NC24 from Aquamarin on Saturday. It was setup the very night with existing water and live rocks. Added a couple of bacteria pills yesterday. I did a test today and got a result of PH 7.8, Ammonia, NO2 and NO3 at 0 ppm.

Does this mean my tank is actually ready, or does it mean nothing has started yet? From what I understand, Ammonia, Nitrate and Nitrite will start to get excessive at different stages of the cycling process. Is it right for test results to be normal for a 3 days old tank?

is your LRs cured?....i remember when i first start up my 2ft tank, i only cycle the tank for 3 days then i place all my old corals back into the tank....no casualties...

but to be safe...run it for at least 1 week..

[bernards]

Thanks a lot Alvin. I am surprised as I was intending to wait for 2 weeks. I believe Aquamarine must have cured the live rocks thoroughly before installing them from me.

I'm still waiting for the skimmer and chiller to arrive. I'll install those first before adding in any livestock.

It's nice to know it's possible to get a tank running in 3 days.

[Alvin Tan]

Thanks a lot Alvin. I am surprised as I was intending to wait for 2 weeks. I believe Aquamarine must have cured the live rocks thoroughly before installing them from me.

I'm still waiting for the skimmer and chiller to arrive. I'll install those first before adding in any livestock.

It's nice to know it's possible to get a tank running in 3 days.

its possible....but high risk...

1 advantage is my livestock are all old timers....so they are quite stable already...

[Achilles Tang]

Tip: stock up SLOWLY and monitor the parameters again... the parameters may be stable because you probably have zero bioload now. Once you have stuff in there, start feeding... you'll then go through a natural spike which may not be dangerous but enough to start seeing nuisance algae... which is perfectly normal btw.

Happy Reefing and do show us your progress here in SRC!

[bernards]

Thanks a lot Achilles. I did further tests today and felt confident enough for 1 damsel. I probably won't add anything else for another week. I hope this is the correct pace.

[Alvin Tan]

Thanks a lot Achilles. I did further tests today and felt confident enough for 1 damsel. I probably won't add anything else for another week. I hope this is the correct pace.

the damsel will be the notorious king in your tank...

[bernards]

I choose a yellow tail damsel. I read they are suppose to be better behaved. I guess the best of monsters is still a monster.

OT. Beautiful corals in your tank. I am going off to get a chiller tomorrow. It's inspiring.

[Alvin Tan]

I guess the best of monsters is still a monster.

enjoy reefing..