Tank cycled???

[Reef Swimmer]

How do I know if my tank is cycled? It's been up and running for two weeks now and my water looks like poo. I added fritz9 and started dosing micro bacter 7 that night and I ran out about 2 days ago. I have anthelia, gsp and some trash palys in there that look good but the gsp ain't as green as it was when I got it (no LEDs). I got two hermit crabs an they are very active. I've been testing my water and ammonia is 0 nitrites are .25 and nitrates are 80. Skimmer has been off since I set the tank back up with new sand and new rock with a few pieces of lr. Just about all the rock is turning brown. I'm frustrated and I got people telling me to do this and not that as others telling me just the opposite. All I want is a nice reef tank to come home from work to and watch and relax. I don't mind what I need to do to keep it healthy and thriving and not sick and dying.

[footballdude2k3]

I would wait until the nitrites are 0 before adding anything else, but you are getting very close.

[350gt]

listen to those that have been around and actually have nice tanks... Chris (big pun) would be one, allan, Ace, and there is a few others that dont post too often....

Been seeing to many others give advice that dont have impressive tanks themselves, even I stopped trying to help others as my tank was going through some issues... its bouncing back as I have found that I needed to up my water changes from 20 to 30 gallons.......

Another thing is what works for some will not work for others.... thats just something you have to figure out on your own...

[Big_Pun]

we have gone through this via pm i explained what you should do and you obviously dont warrant any info i took the time to give you. i explained you should have the skimmer on not just for nutrient collections but for oxygen and many other suggestions. but hey, who ever is giving you bad advice is obviously not working as you keep posting the same questions and not taking any advice.

good luck

[350gt]

just dont jump into chris's beliefs on biopellets and gfo just yet lol......


imo simplicity when your first stepping into this hobby, that and patience..... make sure your filtration is up to par, you have good flow and proper lighting for what you plan to keep......

Im still a beginner by far IMO but I can say Ive never had poopoo sand or any other major algae outbreaks....... by keeping it simple and not rushing things....

[BBQHILLBILLY]

patience you will be fine, keep using ro/di sw, sometimes cycles take more time, enjoy the journey. your in the hobby. this is part of it. understand whats happening so you can help the next sw fan. you know more than you knew yesterday.

[Big_Pun]

just dont jump into chris's beliefs on biopellets and gfo just yet lol......


imo simplicity when your first stepping into this hobby, that and patience..... make sure your filtration is up to par, you have good flow and proper lighting for what you plan to keep......

Im still a beginner by far IMO but I can say Ive never had poopoo sand or any other major algae outbreaks....... by keeping it simple and not rushing things....

lol i didnt go that far with bio pellets and gfo! but yes ive been trying to keep this simple and just the fundamentals no dosing or tricks to speed cycles. but like you said bad advice is confusing him

[Reef Swimmer]

Yeah there's something's I'm doing and some I'm not. For one I'm done dosing ammonia to cycle my tank.

[BBQHILLBILLY]

curious who's idea to use fritz9 and micro bacter 7 , doesnt matter, dont need to do anything, keep it simple

you will have a great looking tank, it doesnt happen overnight

[Reef Swimmer]

Yeah Chris I should have listened. Too much advice from the wrong place.