Cycling Problems

[NanoReef87]

Hey im just startin out with an 18 gallon arcylic reef tank with 72 watts of power compact and about 15 pounds of live rock ive been cycling the tank with 3 damsels and one died but the ammonia havent risen yet. It has stayed at .50 ppm for over 2 weeks any advice???

[ckreef]

Welcome NanoReef87

whats the status of the LR. Did it come from an allready established tank? Did it come from a LFS? Was it sold as cyccled LR?

The status of the LR is probably the single biggest factor in how a tank cycles. Give us a little more info and we might be able to make a better educated guess as to the situation.

I assume you removed the dead Damsel but if not please do so.

[Casey]

Welcome NanoReef87

[QuAcKeR]

Hiya!

I got my LR from the LFS so it didn't have much of a cycle... it all depends.

[NanoReef87]

Hi um i got the live rock at LFS anf it was already cured. I still have the dead damsel in there its been in there for almost 2 weeks cause it dies 2 days after i introduced it into the tank. The guy at the LFS said to leave it in, but it hasent raised my ammonia.

[Ray1214]

I would have removed it. It is gonna contribute to a significant source of nitrates if it hasn't already done so. I am assuming that the ammonia cycle is done and gone since you stated it hasn't raised your ammonia. (Two week sounds about right). What are your other parameters. .5 ppm still sounds a bit high but that could be your test kit. You should end up with zero ammonia unless you check your tank after feeding or a mini cycle.
How are your other damsels faring? Could be that the dead damsel didn't take to acclimating too well and just passed on or disease or any other factors. Let me also ask if you have a clean up crew or not in your tank. After two weeks I would think that there isn't much left if you do. Just adding the three damsels to an 18 gal tank should have caused a mini cycle I would think. Then again I sweat adding more than one fish at a month.

Ray

[ckreef]

If you started out w/ cycled LR then it shouldn't go through much of a cycle once in your tank. The dead Damsel is not a great thing in the tank so if there is anything left do yourself a favor and remove it.

The Amonia and Nitrites should go to zero so if they don't take a water sample to a LFS and have them test just to confirm if your test kit is reading correctly or not.

[NanoReef87]

Thanx for the info i appriciate it im going to go take the dead damsel out as soon as possible, is it ok to add inverts now like hermits, shrips, crabs ect. What should i do then to get ammonia down to zero and the nitrate is a bit high as well. Im afraid permant residents b/c i dont want to b suprised and have my levels rise

[Cookie_Monster]

Just take your time. Its bound to go up and down for a few months.