What now?

[Davo The Great]

Ok so I am 5 days in and had my first diatom bloom today in my 8 gal. Biocube (took 3 gal out of my est. large tank) and took my levels they are:
SG: 1.021
PH: 8.0
Am: .25 - .5
Nitrite: .25
Nitrate: 0 – 5.0
Now what should I do, I have heard some people say to wait on a water change and CUC until all levels are zero and green algae start to show and then some people say to go ahead and do a water change and start with a small 1 or 2 CUC then maybe a fish in a week or so. Can I get some Ideas with what I should do plz?

[LoneStar]

Ok I haven't heard of the acronym CUC before...


But I would hang in there. Do weekly 20% water changes and ride out the cycle. More than likely you have another 2 to 3 weeks left. Keep testing weekly as this is the time to be checking your levels. Once the levels are maintained to what they need to be, you don't have to test as often. Do you have any sand and live rock in the tank right now? I would hold off on the fish until the 2nd week. Wait on coral even longer until the tank becomes established. Having a clean up crew will help with the brown algea.

[Davo The Great]

CUC = Clean up crew

Thanks, yeah I have 5 lbs. sand and about 3.5 lbs Live rock looking to add about 2 more pounds of rock.

[apedroza]

Add the clean up grew especially plenty of hermits. Blue and red legs love diatoms. Add as much LR to help speed up the cycle.

[Ping]

I would do nothing but water changes for at least 2 mos. If you let the tank run it's cycles, more Micro/Macro life will prosper.

Not a popular answer, but worth the wait for long term success.

[hobogato]

definitely dont add clean up crew until ammonia and nitrite are zero.

[Pickled Fish]

Just ride it out...especially with such a small water volume.

Just my 2 cents.

kurt

[ismvel]

CUC = Clean up crew

Thanks, yeah I have 5 lbs. sand and about 3.5 lbs Live rock looking to add about 2 more pounds of rock.
Make sure (if you get the rock after the cycle has completed) that the rock is cured. If you purchase uncured rock, you will start another mini cycle, and in a tank that small, could do some damage if you have anything living in it.

I am in the process of cycling myself...and I don't do a water change until Ammonia and Trites are 0....then I do a major water change (about 50%)....everyone does things a little differently, that is just how I personally cycle my tanks.

[MissT]

Wait until you have no ammonia or nitrite, then you should have some amount of nitrate from the cycle. Do a water change and then get your clean up crew. IMO, adding them soon after the cycle will be beneficial in the long run because you wont get behind in fighting algae problems. Wait as long as you can stand it before adding fish. You can easily get away with getting some mushrooms and zoas a couple weeks after the cycle ( I would wait until after your 2nd or 3rd waterchange).

[Davo The Great]

Is ok to clean the diatoms off the glass or should I leave them till the cycle is done?

[mathias]

go ahead and clean the glass daily because it is a pain to let all the algea grow on it and then clean it....