newbe mistake??? don't know

[gjuarez]

If you bought the rock and had it shipped, its possible that it had some die off, actually very possible. Another possibility of not having any nitrites or nitrates yet is because the tank might still be in the amonia cycle. I hate to play devils advocate but i find it very hard to believe that a tank cycled in two weeks, even with aged and established live rock. Aerobic bacteria has to grow on the surface of the sand, the rock, the filters and all. Hopefully I am wrong and its cycled already. Good luck with your lawnmower blenny, I have one and he is very fun to watch eat. Interesting characters

[JKLUSAF]

Well, since your ammonia must first spike before it's reduced to nitrite then nitrate... An ammonia kit is kind of important.

Now, I WILL grant you that it is possible - although not likely - that your well established rock could keep your tank from cycling. Since you apparently have an algae bloom, I'd guess that you have some of the aging process going on.

Just, please, take it slow...

yes, most of my rock has lots of brown hair algae along with some green over top of it. about 2/3 were established for 4yrs plus

Justin

[JKLUSAF]

If you bought the rock and had it shipped, its possible that it had some die off, actually very possible. Another possibility of not having any nitrites or nitrates yet is because the tank might still be in the amonia cycle. I hate to play devils advocate but i find it very hard to believe that a tank cycled in two weeks, even with aged and established live rock. Aerobic bacteria has to grow on the surface of the sand, the rock, the filters and all. Hopefully I am wrong and its cycled already. Good luck with your lawnmower blenny, I have one and he is very fun to watch eat. Interesting characters

i hope so myself.

Justin

[SABOB]

Not trying to sound almighty,but why ask the question after already putting the fish in your tank?Next time ask before doing something if you aren't sure.I don't like livestock dying on me,although it has happened ( sometimes my fault,sometimes not).Lots of great advice on this site.Read alot and ask questions before doing something.It will save you money and heartache.

[corkyGramma]

By the way avoid the ammonia test strips, they don't work.

[Kristy]

Quick aside on our lawnmower- doesn't eat any of the prepared food at all, only the algae. Not even the nori I hang, just the stuff that grows normally. Weird.

But he is still a cool fish and quite a character.

[beerguy]

Well, since your ammonia must first spike before it's reduced to nitrite then nitrate... An ammonia kit is kind of important.

^^This part is very important. From what Ive read youve had no spike of anything. I could be mistaken but you say everything reads as 'fine' and thats not the ideal situation for a newly estlabished tank. You NEED ammonia/nitrite/nitrate to start/finish your cycle. Cured LR and sand will not give you enough ammonia to start the cycle. At the same time you have LR and LS that may have enough bacteria in it to sustain life, but thats the risk your taking. No one here can tell you how much harm your causing your fish or validate it for you.

[JKLUSAF]

Not trying to sound almighty,but why ask the question after already putting the fish in your tank?Next time ask before doing something if you aren't sure.I don't like livestock dying on me,although it has happened ( sometimes my fault,sometimes not).Lots of great advice on this site.Read alot and ask questions before doing something.It will save you money and heartache.

your almightyness is fine, but everyone here has there own opinion on how long the first cylce may take with what type of supplies you've put into the tank. i'd also hate to see the little guy suffer, but seeing tube worms growing and zoa's also from the liverock of others, i decided to take the chance and see what everyone thought by posting the thread.

Justin

[JKLUSAF]

^^This part is very important. From what Ive read youve had no spike of anything. I could be mistaken but you say everything reads as 'fine' and thats not the ideal situation for a newly estlabished tank. You NEED ammonia/nitrite/nitrate to start/finish your cycle. Cured LR and sand will not give you enough ammonia to start the cycle. At the same time you have LR and LS that may have enough bacteria in it to sustain life, but thats the risk your taking. No one here can tell you how much harm your causing your fish or validate it for you.

i know what ya'll are saying everyone also needs to start somewhere. thanks for keepin it real

Justin

[Texreefer]

fish may be fine, your tank may be fine and everything may work out perfect. doesn't mean you did it the right way, just means you got lucky. if thats the case awesome
Just make sure you understand the process and why yoiu need to do things a certain way.
I think this is what everyone is trying to say