Cycle ??? I am confused!

[ShooterRick]

I started to cycle my 72 gal bow front last week. Tuesday Amonia 0.25 Wed 0.50 Thurs. 1.00 Sunday today tested 0.5. Nitrites test 0.00 today. Why the amonia drop and no nitrites? Fishless cycle with live rock and live sand. I am feeding the tank frozen omnivore food every other day. I don't understand the amonia drop. Skimmer is on line but producing little skim mate.

[Reefing Madness]

I'd say your Live Rock was in good shape. Wait another week, test again, with Amm and Trites at 0 and Trates at less than 40, your good to go.

[ShooterRick]

I'd say your Live Rock was in good shape. Wait another week, test again, with Amm and Trites at 0 and Trates at less than 40, your good to go.

I just tested nitrates and they were 0.00. Surely this tank did not cycle already. I will wait another week and test again wed. and fri. again.

[Reefing Madness]

Oh, its possible. I've seen it before, but thats using Cured Rock. So you may be good to go, its just on the safe side waiting another week.

[ShooterRick]

Amonia still at 0.50, still no sign of nitrates. If by wed. I see no change I am thinking of dosing the tank with amonia and see what happens.

[Reefing Madness]

No. Why would you dose a tank ammonia, if you already show it? You have to wait until your readings are Ammonia-0, Nitrites-0, and Nitrates-under40. Patience. your not going to help it out by dropping ammonia in there, its already present.

[chrisfont23]

Turn your skimmer off.

[ShooterRick]

No. Why would you dose a tank ammonia, if you already show it? You have to wait until your readings are Ammonia-0, Nitrites-0, and Nitrates-under40. Patience. your not going to help it out by dropping ammonia in there, its already present.

OK got it. I just figured amonia would spike higher than the 1.00 it was several days ago.

[ShooterRick]

Finally some movement that made sense to me. LOL Amonia has fallen to .25. Nitrites are what I would call 0.00 plus, not quit 0.0 but much lighter color test than .25. Nitrates no present at a low 5.0. Test Kit AP.