PLEASE HELP: I think my Cycle ended much earlier than I thought.

[RLiu818]

Ok i set up a nano-FOWLR tank about a month ago and I used fully cured live rock from the local fish store.

I initially thought i had to still cycle it a full month even if the rock is cured, however, i have come to the assumption that this rock did not need to be cycled because there was little to no die-off when it was transferred from the fish store to my tank.




My tank has been cycling for 3 weeks and my test kits had just come in today, so i was unable to monitor the cycle process from the beginning. I had just did a nitrite and nitrate test today and the results were..

Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - ~1.1

According to this http://saltaquarium.about.com/gi/dy...2Fnewtank3.html

the cycle must have ended a long time ago because the Nitrite is undetectable. Therefore, over these past few days the Nitrate has just been building up without any water change.

Just today i had noticed a spread of Bubble Algae growing, which of course is a sign of poor water conditions (ie: high Nitrate levels).


What do you guys suggest I do from here?
Or have I mistaken and the cycle really isn't over yet.

Or should I do a partial water change to lower Nitrate?




FYI: This is a 10-gallon w/ 12 lbs. Fiji Live Rock & Crushed Coral Substrate.

Only mechanical device is a Power Head, and a Heater.

[blue]

you probably didnt have any cycle at all or if u did it was very smll i would do a water change and wait a week check water parameters and then buy a very hardy fish just to be safe. JMO

Blue

[tendar]

Sounds like you had finished your cycle and are ready to go. I would do a small water change.
Bubble algea will grow even in perfect water conditions. Just get a emerald crab and it will slowly go away.