cycling new SW tank

luv2diy · 02-01-2005, 03:41 PM

Ok- need some help! My LFS guys all have different opinons on this subject so I thought I'd see what you guys have to say out there.... I set up my 55g (used to be my freshwater) a couple weeks ago (maybe a month ago now) with some live sand and small amount LR (can't afford much!). I bought a Blue Devil damsel to cycle the tank b/c that's what the LFS guy suggested. I can't believe it's still alive! My ammonia is 0 but the nitrites are 2, making their way to 5. I feel bad for this little fish and feel like I should be doing water changes or something. I did do a 50% water change about 2 wks ago b/c I just couldn't stand do nothing. Anyway, some say don't do a water change at all, some say a little... some say protein skimmer on, some say off. Some say use the "turbo cycle" products and some say don't. I know that it takes awhile for the tank to cycle, but I don't remember having as many problems with freshwater setups. Thanks for any help!

hail_sniper · 02-01-2005, 11:27 PM

well, damsels are hardy little fish, they can handle some nitrates

but, since you are seeing nitrates, thats mean you are now cycled, now for the long process of it maturing, may take a month or two before it is

**Fishfirst** · 02-02-2005, 08:32 AM

she said she's seeing nitrites.. not nitrates... its almost cycled but not quite

hail_sniper · 02-02-2005, 08:28 PM

my bad

luv2diy · 02-15-2005, 04:19 PM

I'm sooo excited my tank has cycled! 0 nitrites, 0 ammonia, 20-30 nitrates. That darn damsel didn't die during the whole process! Now I feel like I have to keep it since it did me such a service! Just thought I'd share in my excitement...

**Osiris** · 02-15-2005, 10:39 PM

cool, now comes fun parts....

02-01-2005, 03:41 PM	#1
luv2diy Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 5	cycling new SW tank Ok- need some help! My LFS guys all have different opinons on this subject so I thought I'd see what you guys have to say out there.... I set up my 55g (used to be my freshwater) a couple weeks ago (maybe a month ago now) with some live sand and small amount LR (can't afford much!). I bought a Blue Devil damsel to cycle the tank b/c that's what the LFS guy suggested. I can't believe it's still alive! My ammonia is 0 but the nitrites are 2, making their way to 5. I feel bad for this little fish and feel like I should be doing water changes or something. I did do a 50% water change about 2 wks ago b/c I just couldn't stand do nothing. Anyway, some say don't do a water change at all, some say a little... some say protein skimmer on, some say off. Some say use the "turbo cycle" products and some say don't. I know that it takes awhile for the tank to cycle, but I don't remember having as many problems with freshwater setups. Thanks for any help!

02-01-2005, 11:27 PM	#2
hail_sniper The Frugal Reefer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Downey, Ca Posts: 195	Re: cycling new SW tank well, damsels are hardy little fish, they can handle some nitrates but, since you are seeing nitrates, thats mean you are now cycled, now for the long process of it maturing, may take a month or two before it is __________________ Sam H. Member of MASLAC 30gal reef 90gal planning

02-02-2005, 08:32 AM	#3
Fishfirst Fish Guru Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Northern Wisconsin Age: 24 Posts: 3,546	she said she's seeing nitrites.. not nitrates... its almost cycled but not quite __________________ 210 Gal Reef w/ 55 Gallon Sump/Fuge, 125 Gal Fish Only, 65 Gal Seahorse-29 Gallon Sump, 55 Gal FOWLR, 54 Gal Corner FW Community, 20 Gal Nano FOWLR, 55 Gal Piranha, 29 gallon QT "All the yellow tangs and clownfish in the world can't save you now! hahahah" Peter from Family Guy

02-02-2005, 08:28 PM	#4
hail_sniper The Frugal Reefer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Downey, Ca Posts: 195	Re: cycling new SW tank my bad __________________ Sam H. Member of MASLAC 30gal reef 90gal planning

02-15-2005, 04:19 PM	#5
luv2diy Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 5	Re: cycling new SW tank I'm sooo excited my tank has cycled! 0 nitrites, 0 ammonia, 20-30 nitrates. That darn damsel didn't die during the whole process! Now I feel like I have to keep it since it did me such a service! Just thought I'd share in my excitement...

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02-15-2005, 10:39 PM	#6
Osiris Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Age: 25 Posts: 3,725	cool, now comes fun parts.... __________________ Reality is for people who can't handle Science-Fiction

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