It finally cycled!

[FishEnthusiast]

Well, I have had my 55G for a couple of months now and I am finally cycled. For the longest time I had no readings for ammonia, nitrite or nitrate. I never had a large ammonia or nitrite spike. But today I finally had my first measurable nitrate reading (5). I don't have a lot of fish in the tank, as they are juvies and grow big. I didn't notice any stress on the fish, so I guess it was a gentle cycle. I am happy to know that this finally happened.

I have seen a lot of posts about brown algae or diatoms. My tank started to get them a couple of weeks ago. I heard that this sometimes happens right before the tank cycles. Now that my tank is cycled, can I expect this brown stuff to die off? I am starting to see some green algae under all the brown. I am vigorous in cleaning the diatoms off, but some are on the leaves of my plants and it is impossible, so I have to clip those leaves. Thanks all

 

[rdd1952]

When you cycle with fish, you are only cycled for the amount of fish you have and the bioload they produce. If you only have 6 fish in a 66 gallon tank, you aren't cycled. Every time you add more fish, you will start a mini cycle so make sure you don't add more than about 4 fish at a time and do that about every 2 weeks. After you add more fish, check the ammonia and nitrite to make sure it doesn't get too high.

As for the brown algae, you will probably have to get a good algae eater like a Siamese Algae Eater, Amano shrimp or maybe otos (I haven't had very much luck with those, expecially in a new tank). Some people say that increased lighting will get rid of the brown algae but I haven't had much luck with doing that. My seems to get worse.