2 Week Tank Cycle???

[ynd]

Hey guys, just a question, is it possible for a tank to cycle in 2 weeks?
I set up my 42g tank about two weeks ago. I've got about 45lb of live rock, a skimmer, and a thin layer of CC. I tested for ammonia twice in the first week and it was rising rapidly. A week later I tested for nitrites, nitrates and ammonia and they were all 0. Does this mean my tank has cycled? Or does something here sound fishy?

 

[fishfanatic2]

if you got live sand, then that coupled with the LR could mean that your cycle is done. I would definitely test again in a few days to make sure.

 

[Anonymous]

Its possible for it to cycle in 2 weeks...However patience is a virtue...I like the better safe than sorry approach...i rushed my first(only) reef tank only on bad advise....I took a co-workers advise as golden cuz he has had a reef tank 4 three years...He was just lucky....I am still battling things that should have been taken care of in the first 2 months...My tank is just now really starting to come around...(after 10 months)...I would also consider going live sand of some sort...or just southdown maybe...I started with c.c. then switched to LS and wow, i fell in love with Live sand just on the principal it gives it a natural look...

8)

 

[danmhippo]

Yes, nothing is impossible, but don't go out swear by it.

I would throw a couple pieces of rotten shrimps into the tank for 3 days and see if you can pick up any ammonia or nitrite. A true cycled tank should have the capacity to oxidize ammonia and nitrite as soon as they are generated.

 

[ynd]

Thanks for your replies guys, I just tested for nitrite and nitrates yesterday and they are still 0. Should be cool to add a few fish in now rite? Its approaching 3 weeks since I set it up, and I pretty much cured my live rock in the tank while I cycled it.

 

[Anonymous]

try a couple of blue damsels or chromis first.. i wouldnt start to throw in inverts except maybe a couple of small blue legged hermits...like i said..adventure,excitement, a reefer craves not these things...well they do, but by being patient

 

[ynd]

Hahaha...yeah I understand LN, patience is good, but the tank looks so empty = (
I was thinkin more in the lines of two clowns and a few snails? Would this be cool? Then I'll wait as long as it takes = )

 

[Anonymous]

I say go with something you can actually CATCH later. Acclimate a few black mollies to salt and use THOSE first.

 

[wade1]

If you test 0 ammonia and low/0 nitrites, then you are fairly safe for any of the cleanup critters that are commonly sold.

A "cycle" can be invisible FYI. If your rock/sand is well cured and there is little die-off then you may not even see a spike in levels. I've started many a tank with well established sand and rock and never once caused one to spike in ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate. That said, waiting is a good idea on reef tanks as it allows the populations of various critters to expand without predation. Always nice to start with a well balanced population.

Wade

 

[danmhippo]

Yep, unless you plan on keeping lionfish in the future, otherwise damsels can be a real pain in the behind to catch, and they will become brats if you don't catch it!

Get a easy fish to catch first, or molleys as SM suggested. The molleys will also breed in full strength saltwater too.

 

[Ralphyhp]

I set up a 55g reproduction tank. On two weeks is already cycle with corals on it. IMO, this tank jump the Amonia step. Why? When i set up my 125g SPS tank i use to use Bioballs on it, then i switch to a 4" DSB and over 300 pounds of L/R. I put all the colonized bioballs on a Coleman drinks cooler with two powerheads on it. When i made water changes, i add some of that water to the colonized bioballs tank. When i setup the 55g tank i used the colonized bioballs and a big piece of live rock. I never have a high reading on Amonia. The 55g tank parameters are always perfect and the bioload are well eather. Please correct me if im wrong. Ralphyhp.

 

[Ralphyhp]

Some pics.