Cycle Question...
- Thread starter fishytim
- Start date
natclanwy
Active Member
My guess is there there was still some dried up organic tissue buried inside the rock that wasn't removed during the boiling process and now that it has been sitting in water for few days it has started to rot.
Your rock will have bacterial growth on it but that is only one part of being live rock the other parts are all the microfauna that live on and inside the rock. You could get away with just getting 5-10lbs of rock to seed the existing rock with and all will be populated with microfauna in a few months.
Your rock will have bacterial growth on it but that is only one part of being live rock the other parts are all the microfauna that live on and inside the rock. You could get away with just getting 5-10lbs of rock to seed the existing rock with and all will be populated with microfauna in a few months.
fishytim
Member
You have got me beat. I tested the ammonia twice just to be sure...
Originally Posted by locoyo386
http:///forum/post/2904981
Hi there,
WOW! this is interesting.
You had the rock dry for about a year, than you placed it in saltwater on 12-26-2008. The rock has now been in water for 14 days and it looks as if it has cured in that amount of time.
Can rock be cured that fast? Interesting.
Originally Posted by locoyo386
http:///forum/post/2904981
Hi there,
WOW! this is interesting.
You had the rock dry for about a year, than you placed it in saltwater on 12-26-2008. The rock has now been in water for 14 days and it looks as if it has cured in that amount of time.
Can rock be cured that fast? Interesting.
fishytim
Member
Thanks for the suggestion.. If I go buy some rock would my take cycle again?
Is there any of way to get the microfauna into the tank without buying rock?
Originally Posted by natclanwy
http:///forum/post/2904997
My guess is there there was still some dried up organic tissue buried inside the rock that wasn't removed during the boiling process and now that it has been sitting in water for few days it has started to rot.
Your rock will have bacterial growth on it but that is only one part of being live rock the other parts are all the microfauna that live on and inside the rock. You could get away with just getting 5-10lbs of rock to seed the existing rock with and all will be populated with microfauna in a few months.
Is there any of way to get the microfauna into the tank without buying rock?
Originally Posted by natclanwy
http:///forum/post/2904997
My guess is there there was still some dried up organic tissue buried inside the rock that wasn't removed during the boiling process and now that it has been sitting in water for few days it has started to rot.
Your rock will have bacterial growth on it but that is only one part of being live rock the other parts are all the microfauna that live on and inside the rock. You could get away with just getting 5-10lbs of rock to seed the existing rock with and all will be populated with microfauna in a few months.
natclanwy
Active Member
Depending on how cured the rock is you will more than likely see a small ammonia spike but it should pass in a few days unless you have alot of dieoff on the rock then it may take longer.
Aztec reef mentioned getting a detravore kit from a sea farm but I don't have any experience with these so I can't provide any info.
Aztec reef mentioned getting a detravore kit from a sea farm but I don't have any experience with these so I can't provide any info.
V
vinnyraptor
Guest
Originally Posted by FishyTim
http:///forum/post/2905012
Thanks for the suggestion.. If I go buy some rock would my take cycle again?
Is there any of way to get the microfauna into the tank without buying rock?
Dude just buy a few nice pieces from your LFS and let it spread, whatevers happening in your tank is a good thing. 2 nice 8 + lb.s pieces of LR to seed and your good to go. so what if it starts a 2nd cycle your just starting off and whats a few more weeks.
http:///forum/post/2905012
Thanks for the suggestion.. If I go buy some rock would my take cycle again?
Is there any of way to get the microfauna into the tank without buying rock?
Dude just buy a few nice pieces from your LFS and let it spread, whatevers happening in your tank is a good thing. 2 nice 8 + lb.s pieces of LR to seed and your good to go. so what if it starts a 2nd cycle your just starting off and whats a few more weeks.
fishytim
Member
Update...
On my way home, I decided to go ahead and drop by the ol' LFS and pick up some live rock.
I ended up getting two rocks (figi) for a total of 16 pounds. I was just going to get a couple of smaller rocks, but then I saw this one (13 lbs)...
I fell in love! It looked awesome and had a nice little cave at the bottom so I could not pass it up! I went straight home and did some aquascaping, putting this guy right in the middle... It's a little cloudy from moving the rocks, but here is a pic..
Thanks for all the help! You guys rock (no pun)
Now it's time to wait for another ammonia spike.....
On my way home, I decided to go ahead and drop by the ol' LFS and pick up some live rock.
I ended up getting two rocks (figi) for a total of 16 pounds. I was just going to get a couple of smaller rocks, but then I saw this one (13 lbs)...
I fell in love! It looked awesome and had a nice little cave at the bottom so I could not pass it up! I went straight home and did some aquascaping, putting this guy right in the middle... It's a little cloudy from moving the rocks, but here is a pic..
Thanks for all the help! You guys rock (no pun)
Now it's time to wait for another ammonia spike.....
fishytim
Member
dang that was quick....now nitrites and nitrates go away!
Originally Posted by gmann1139
http:///forum/post/2909959
Nitrite has gone down and nitrate has gone up = You missed the ammonia spike.
Don't worry, I did too the last two times I cycled tanks. Those bacteria are the fastest-growing and quickest to populate up when food appears.
Originally Posted by gmann1139
http:///forum/post/2909959
Nitrite has gone down and nitrate has gone up = You missed the ammonia spike.
Don't worry, I did too the last two times I cycled tanks. Those bacteria are the fastest-growing and quickest to populate up when food appears.
fishytim
Member
I have been adding about 5 gallons of fresh ro/di a week (evap). I think that it was a mis-test... today it came in at 20...
Originally Posted by gmann1139
http:///forum/post/2912878
Nitrates from 50 to 10 in two days doesn't sound right.
Mis-test, water change, additive, or miracle?
Originally Posted by gmann1139
http:///forum/post/2912878
Nitrates from 50 to 10 in two days doesn't sound right.
Mis-test, water change, additive, or miracle?
gmann1139
Active Member
Originally Posted by FishyTim
http:///forum/post/2915998
I have been adding about 5 gallons of fresh ro/di a week (evap). I think that it was a mis-test... today it came in at 20...
If you've now gone 10 - 20, I would assume the 50 was the mis-test.
http:///forum/post/2915998
I have been adding about 5 gallons of fresh ro/di a week (evap). I think that it was a mis-test... today it came in at 20...
If you've now gone 10 - 20, I would assume the 50 was the mis-test.
fishytim
Member
I did a 25% water change today....
after the change here are my test results...
Ammonia 0 ppm
nitrite 0 ppm
nitrates 5 ppm
I decided it was time to take a trip the the fish store!
I bought..
15 blue hermits
2 scarlet hermits
20 Nassarius snails
10 Margarita snails
5 turbo snails
2 xl turbos
1 peppermint shrimp
1 skunk cleaner
1 fire fish
here are some pics...
after the change here are my test results...
Ammonia 0 ppm
nitrite 0 ppm
nitrates 5 ppm
I decided it was time to take a trip the the fish store!
I bought..
15 blue hermits
2 scarlet hermits
20 Nassarius snails
10 Margarita snails
5 turbo snails
2 xl turbos
1 peppermint shrimp
1 skunk cleaner
1 fire fish
here are some pics...
gmann1139
Active Member
I probably would have just added the CUC, and held off on the fish and Shrimp for another couple weeks. Just keep a close eye, and test at least 2x per week for now.
Keep an eye on the fish too. Don't overfeed, but make sure it is eating, and watch for changes in behavior.
Firefish can be fairly frustrating because they hide all the time, but if its in the tank by itself, it may become more bold.
Keep an eye on the fish too. Don't overfeed, but make sure it is eating, and watch for changes in behavior.
Firefish can be fairly frustrating because they hide all the time, but if its in the tank by itself, it may become more bold.
fishytim
Member
I think it will be ok.
The firefish found a little cave that he likes. He went there when I first put him in the tank and when the lights went out. Lights came on this morning and he was out and swimming all over the place.
I dropped a couple ORA glow pellets in this morning and he ate them right up...
all is well, I will continue testing, just to make sure the ammonia doesnt spike and nitrates stay low (go away)
Originally Posted by gmann1139
http:///forum/post/2918418
I probably would have just added the CUC, and held off on the fish and Shrimp for another couple weeks. Just keep a close eye, and test at least 2x per week for now.
Keep an eye on the fish too. Don't overfeed, but make sure it is eating, and watch for changes in behavior.
Firefish can be fairly frustrating because they hide all the time, but if its in the tank by itself, it may become more bold.
The firefish found a little cave that he likes. He went there when I first put him in the tank and when the lights went out. Lights came on this morning and he was out and swimming all over the place.
I dropped a couple ORA glow pellets in this morning and he ate them right up...
all is well, I will continue testing, just to make sure the ammonia doesnt spike and nitrates stay low (go away)
Originally Posted by gmann1139
http:///forum/post/2918418
I probably would have just added the CUC, and held off on the fish and Shrimp for another couple weeks. Just keep a close eye, and test at least 2x per week for now.
Keep an eye on the fish too. Don't overfeed, but make sure it is eating, and watch for changes in behavior.
Firefish can be fairly frustrating because they hide all the time, but if its in the tank by itself, it may become more bold.