Fast Cycle?

Eight days ago I added about 80 Lbs. of Marshall Island rock (uncured)
to my new 75 Gal. Not being too familiar with liverock, I wasn't too
sure what to expect. When I opened the boxes, I got a slightly
unpleasant whiff and proceded to pick off any obvious dying stuff
along with as much macro as I could. Gave the rock a good swish around
in some aged sal****er I had made up in advance and plunked it into
the tank. Day 2 I tested for Ammonia and it was off the chart (no
surprise). Now, day 8 I test again...Zero. I then test for
nitrite....Zero. Next, Nitrate...Zero. Is it possible that my cycle
completed this quick? Everything I have read led me to believe 6 to 8
weeks especially using uncured.

Other paramaters:

temp-79
sg-1.024
PH- 8.0
skimmer- 24/7
circulation- ~500g/hr through sump supplemented with 4-Maxi-jet 900's.
Lighting- 440W VHO (2-50/50 2-Actinic) about 2 hrs./day right now
3-4" dead Aragonite sb
Using RO/DI for initial fill and top-off
Using SeaTest test kits

Is this typical? If so, do you think I should seed my SB now with some
LS?

Thanks!
-Scott

Have you verified your test results with a different kit or taken it to
the LFS as a double check?
It might be possible that your tank is cycled but I'd give it a little
longer before spending any cash on livestock. You will have plenty of
opportunity to do that in the near future. Maybe in a week drop in a frag of
a hardy softy as a "tester" piece.
Steve


"sgrien" wrote in message
m...
Eight days ago I added about 80 Lbs. of Marshall Island rock (uncured)
to my new 75 Gal. Not being too familiar with liverock, I wasn't too
sure what to expect. When I opened the boxes, I got a slightly
unpleasant whiff and proceded to pick off any obvious dying stuff
along with as much macro as I could. Gave the rock a good swish around
in some aged sal****er I had made up in advance and plunked it into
the tank. Day 2 I tested for Ammonia and it was off the chart (no
surprise). Now, day 8 I test again...Zero. I then test for
nitrite....Zero. Next, Nitrate...Zero. Is it possible that my cycle
completed this quick? Everything I have read led me to believe 6 to 8
weeks especially using uncured.

Other paramaters:

temp-79
sg-1.024
PH- 8.0
skimmer- 24/7
circulation- ~500g/hr through sump supplemented with 4-Maxi-jet 900's.
Lighting- 440W VHO (2-50/50 2-Actinic) about 2 hrs./day right now
3-4" dead Aragonite sb
Using RO/DI for initial fill and top-off
Using SeaTest test kits

Is this typical? If so, do you think I should seed my SB now with some
LS?

Thanks!
-Scott

I have not cross checked my results as yet. I was going to ask this
group their feelings towards the SeaTest (FasTest) kits and their
reliability. The packets of reagents are dated good through 2006.
I have no plans to rush the addition of livestock even if it is
cycled. I think my plan at this point is to jump start the fauna in
the sb, watch for diatom and add a janitor crew. Yes? Besides, I still
need to assemble a Quarantine...

Scott

Have you verified your test results with a different kit or taken it to
the LFS as a double check?
It might be possible that your tank is cycled but I'd give it a little
longer before spending any cash on livestock. You will have plenty of
opportunity to do that in the near future. Maybe in a week drop in a frag of
a hardy softy as a "tester" piece.
Steve

Many people use the FasTest kits and I have not heard of a problem. I
use Aquarium Pharmaceuticals (sp?) and Salifert and like them both. I
addition to a different test kit, you could also take your water to your
lfs and have them test it for free or minimum cost.
I had my tank cycling for about 2 weeks before I added live rock
(cured). At that time it hadn't peaked in the ammonia and nitrites were
coming up. Once the live rock was added, the cycle was complete in an
additional 3 days ( I kept testing for a week or so to make sure). So,
you may be good to go but as the previous poster suggested and you said
you were going to do, it's probably better to wait to make sure.

regards,

-soji

sgrien wrote:

I have not cross checked my results as yet. I was going to ask this
group their feelings towards the SeaTest (FasTest) kits and their
reliability. The packets of reagents are dated good through 2006.
I have no plans to rush the addition of livestock even if it is
cycled. I think my plan at this point is to jump start the fauna in
the sb, watch for diatom and add a janitor crew. Yes? Besides, I still
need to assemble a Quarantine...

Scott



Have you verified your test results with a different kit or taken it to
the LFS as a double check?
It might be possible that your tank is cycled but I'd give it a little
longer before spending any cash on livestock. You will have plenty of
opportunity to do that in the near future. Maybe in a week drop in a frag of
a hardy softy as a "tester" piece.
Steve

I would suggest waiting another week and retest. The LR you
put in your tank contain the bacteria and live organisms you
want anyway and will seed your sand even as you wait now.

However, if your water tests are good, take a sample to your
LFS. Have them test it as well, and if their results match
yours, buy one or two cups of LS from one of their
established displays (or refugium). 2 cups is about 1 lb of
sand.

Bring that home, and turn off your pumps. Lower the cup of
sand into your tank gently, and then invert it to make a
small mound of sand. Don't level it out or stir it at all.
Repeat with the second cup of sand. Once done, you can
turn on your pumps again. The microfauna will spread into
your sandbed, and in 6 months it will be fully established.

After one week of the LS addition, I'd get some turbo or
astrea snails, hermits, and a few nassarius snails to keep
the sand stirred and clean.

Marc




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