The Puffer Forum

atm Ive got the big piece long left to right to give me space behind it for maintanence. Ive been looking at the rock scapping lately and I might change a few things but not sure yet. Just curious though, how long do you think it will take for this tank to cycle? It was originally freshwater and I kept some of the original media in some of the filters and put some media from my cycled 45g into the other filters in the 55g. There is also 7 - 8 lbs of LR in the 55g to. Im just curious, no rush really as my 10g nano is running still and waiting to move into the 55g Can't wait! LOL

MeggyPuff25 wrote:It was originally freshwater and I kept some of the original media in some of the filters and put some media from my cycled 45g into the other filters in the 55g.

If I am reading this right, you put fresh water cycled media in the saltwater tank? That will do nothing but add more of a ammonia source, the FW bacteria will just die.

I have seen tanks cycle in a week with new live rock and others take upto 4 weeks, it can really vary.

Okky dokky, here's the water test resukt for Aug 15:

Ammonia 0 - 0.25 ppm

Nitrites 5 ppm or higher

Nitrates 40 ppm

Is my cycle going ok? I know I used some of the filter media from when I have the 55g frshwater but I thought that would provide me with my ammonia source.

So here's my water results for today,

Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrates 10 ppm
Nitrites 5ppm

How long till my nitrites come down?? Could I get away with doing a little water change??

Are you adding an ammonia source?

Home Hardware carries Old Country pure ammonia for $3.00 for a pretty big bottle. Far more than enough for your cycle.

Wouldn't the bacteria die off from going from freshwater to saltwater give me ammonia??

I do have a bit of LR in the tank as well.

The live rock will help then...

I don't know if the bacteria would give enough for a full cycle, but people use live rock all the time for cycling AFAIK.

I think you'll be fine.

I will be getting the lighting this weekend and Im hoping my nitrites come down soon, should i do a small water change or wait it out?

wait till 0 ammonia 0 nitrites.

What lights did you wind up getting?

Haven't got the lights yet, gonna get them maybe Satuday but probably Sunday. They will be T5 Lights

Quick question, is there any way to help speen my 55g cycle along?
Im just waiting for the nitrites to come down. I have 0 ammonia and 10 ppm nitrates. I'm gonna be getting the lighting set up this weekend and would love to tranfer everything in my 10g nano to its new home.

possibly marine bio spira?

Well all is going great with the 55g I tested the water and as of today its at, Ammonia 0ppm, Nitrites 1ppm and Nitrates 10ppm
The nitrites have started to go down, they were over 5ppm a few days ago and they are now at 1ppm! I got my lights, and WOW the tank looks amazing, although there are no fishies yet, the only ones so far are my 2 caramel clowns from my 10g nano. I will try to post some pics in the morning of the tank with the new lights on. Its a T5 HO 4 Bulb system.