Braeden's 22 Gallon SPS Dominated Cube

[Aquaticguy11]

There was an instant cycle from adding the 40lbs. of live sand. The Nitrates looked like this for the first 5 days

Day 1: 3ppm
Day 2: 2ppm
Day 3: 2ppm
Day 4: 1ppm
Day 5: 0ppm

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think this is a full cycle, right?

[Nano]

I would still wait, dont be surprised if you see an ammonia or nitrate spike.. wait your not usin any live rock? technically you have no real biological filtration, I would add a chunk or 2 of live rock even just in the sump to add the filtration, that will also ensure a cycle happens.

[Snaz]

Yes don't count on live sand to cycle your tank. If you are not interested in damsels or clowns to cycle then a bit of rotting uncooked shrimp will get things going along with a seeded rock.

[Aquaticguy11]

Originally Posted by Nano

I would still wait, dont be surprised if you see an ammonia or nitrate spike.. wait your not usin any live rock? technically you have no real biological filtration, I would add a chunk or 2 of live rock even just in the sump to add the filtration, that will also ensure a cycle happens.

I forgot to mention, I added a few handfuls of good quality sand from an established tank about a month ago. The cycle definitely happened because I am keeping Hermit Crabs, Snails and SPS in the system right now and they are doing great. Thanks for the heads up though.

[Snaz]

Originally Posted by Aquaticguy11

I forgot to mention, I added a few handfuls of good quality sand from an established tank about a month ago. The cycle definitely happened because I am keeping Hermit Crabs, Snails and SPS in the system right now and they are doing great. Thanks for the heads up though.

Don't rush. The quickest thing in this hobby is failure. Take the time tonight or soonest and read how the Nitrogen cycle works in a reef environment. It takes 2 - 4 weeks AFTER you have added an ammonia source to your tank and frankly you have not added one yet. The live sand you added might contain some of the needed bacteria to get started but it certainly is not a cycled tank. Ask away and we can help

[Nano]

Agreed ask anyone here take it slow, i didnt and crashed my tank. Mind you in my case there were other factors involved but still. Our motto is "go slow, let it grow" I would get someone to hold the livestock for you temporarily and toss a shrimp in to rot and cycle the tank as well as a peice of live rock, rather be safe then sorry

[Snaz]

http://www.rusticgirls.com/animals/n...cle-fish-tank/

Right now your tank is around day 1-5 on this graph. Once the Nitrites start to build up your sps and possibly your CUC will perish and well you will certainly have a nice ammonia source to finish the cylce at the cost of your tankmates.

Give your tankmates to a buddy or back to the store until your tank is properly cycled. Oh and turn off your skimmer as it will slow down your cycle.

[Aquaticguy11]

Oh, I think you guys are misunderstanding me. My tank has been running for about 2 months now. I was just going back in time and explaining my build. I waited over a month to add any livestock. Haha

[Snaz]

Originally Posted by Aquaticguy11

Oh, I think you guys are misunderstanding me. My tank is around 2 months old. I was just going back in time and explaining my build. I waited over a month to add any livestock. Haha

So what was the ammonia source in those two months? How long ago did you add the inhabitants? I still feel you are setting up for a crash.

I'm not trying to be mean or bully you but genuinely want to ensure you succeed, that build looks amazing.

[axe_man16]

Just a question for you. Maybe i missed something in the write up, but i noticed that the water level in the sump is almost at the top. Have you checked to see what happens when there is a power outage and your pump syphons water from display to sump. Just a thought, i have my water level only half way up my sump so that it will not overflow incase of power outage and just incase my floats malfunction.