tank 4 weeks old

[ZAX]

My tank has been set up for almost 4  weeks now, and it doesn't appear to be cylcling. Tested the water and results as following:
ammonia 0
nitrite 0
nitrate 0
hydrometer 1.023
phosphate was 0 now 0.07
calcium was 500 now 440
KH 161
temperature 78
I did put in 2 cocktail shrimp a week and a half ago , still no changes.
60 gallon tank with 90 lbs live rock, hang on back protein skimmer.
Is this normal? Read online it should cycle in about 4-6 weeks, been testing the water every 4 or 5 days.

 

[marks69]

you have to get an ammonia ready to start the cycle.  i would do 2 things.  check your test kit, you should get something, and second add a few more shrimp.  leave them in till you get a reading .
gl
mark

 

[ZAX]

how do I check the test kit? Bought it used from Rick so not sure how old the kit is. The shrimp I put in dissappeared in a few days, got eaten by snails and bristle worms and who knows what else. Next time I am going to put the shrimp in a mesh bag so it can't get eaten. For a 60 gallon tank put in problably 3 shrimp right?

 

[daleomilla]

I would put 1or2 damsels in not shrimp.

 

[daleomilla]

if you used the sand and rock from someones tank you wont have a big cycle.did you use some of the water to?

 

[ZAX]

did use some water too, the sand I cleaned in freshwater tho so not sure how that affects it. We do have some asterina stars, 2 mini brisstle stars, 2 brisstlworms, bunch of tiny snails that all survived the trip in the live rock.

 

[iantower]

It sounds like its done cycling buddy.
You don't always get that big swing that people talk about, only if ou have a large die off, just throw some $5 damsels in there for the next month and then go at her.
Cheers!

 

[ZAX]

that's the best news I heard all day! Was hoping to hear that but wasn't sure if it could have cycled or not. Thanks buddy!

 

[fishit]

if everything is at 0 it is not cycling you need damsels in there to get the ammonia up so you can get the nitrate and nitrite

 

[Fraggle Rock]

Yup I'd say you could throw some fish in there.
Just test again the day you want to hit up the fish store.
Worst scenario you'd Probably have is a mini cycle. Might see a trace of ammonia one day gone the next.
Same thing happened with my 40gal.

 

[teebone110]

Something isn't right with your numbers from your test kit...

ammonia 0
nitrite 0
nitrate 0

Usually, if its cycled you would get a Nitrate reading. I am suspicious that maybe your test kit is not accurate, as ammonia should have be showing in "early cycling" and then in late cycling your ammonia should be non-existent and your nitrate should get a reading. In my experience, I find it difficult to track nitrite, as it only lasts in the system for a short time before its converted to nitrate.

As everyone else has recommended, your safest bet, would be to throw some damsels in there for at least a month, then all should be good! Even if you can get your hands on some live sand or rock from an established tank, it would help speed things up!

T

 

[teebone110]

I just noticed the pic of your tank. Looks like you have some nice live rock with coraline algea and sand in your tank. My guess is that your test kit isn't giving you accuarate numbers.

T

 

[daleomilla]

that tank is ready  if the coral looks like that like I said you wont have a big cycle when using used sand and rock and some water form someones tank.

 

[pulpfiction1]

i think i kinda mentioned this around xmas,but cheap damsels will survive the cycle so dont get to many as they are real leary of anything when its time to catch them,even with a trap they need to be really hungry,you asked back in december and i would assume you would have some readings,even with only live rock and a few snails,try or borrow a different test kit,not those damn strips.good luck