Cycling of new tank

[Richard Chua]

Hi fellow reefers, I have a problem. During my 4th day of cycling, my tank have massive die off. The bristleworms, hitchhiker crab, some wierd looking prawns n pods are all died on my sandbed. Test result ammonia 0.3 N nitrite 5ppm. Today's the 5th day and water became cloudy. A check on water and shown ammonia 5ppm and nitrite 10ppm! There are no fishes inside. Should I do a water change or let it recover by itself?

[Martian]

IMHO, I don't think you should put any livestock when you are cycling. It is normal for your water to be cloudy and toxic within the next 1 - 3 weeks and anything you put in will die.

[Martian]

I think you should wait as least 6 weeks before putting any livestock. You should check out other postings in this Forum which should be very helpful...

[Richard Chua]

Hi Martian, no worries as there are no livestock in the aquarium. I'm just very surprised that all hitchhikers started to die on day 4. Cloudy water for day 1 and 2 but cleared on 3rd day. 4th day clear water with sudden hitchhikers die off and day 5 which is today cloudy again. Hopefully it doesn't take too long to cycle this tank as I am waiting to migrate my livestock from existing 1ft nano to their new home. (Apologies as I have not cycled a bigger tank before as my current is a 1ft nano and it took few days to cycle with NSW and rock).

[Martian]

[diki88]

Everything is actually looking good.. don't do anything. The cloudiness is due to bacteria bloom which is the very reason why u cycle ur tank. Cheers.

[erikokelf]

Just hang on there it's heading the right way for cycling.

For me i will start checking my parameter only on 3rd week to save up on the test kit, but it's all up to individual preference,

Once everything become 0, a good water change and you are good to go.

[kraken]

perhaps you can read up on this