Cycling with LR from established tank?

forddna

forddna

Member
I bought LR from an established tank. I just got it yesterday, so it's been almost 24 hours. I just dropped a couple of spirunlina pellets in there.
I tested my water a few minutes ago (before the food, if that matters). Here's what I got:
Ammonia - 0-.25ppm (color was in between)
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 5?? I can't tell the difference between the 5 and the 10 on the indicator card. (API Master Test Kit)
Any thoughts on what those numbers indicate?
 
groupergenius

groupergenius

Active Member
Originally Posted by forddna
http:///forum/post/2585939
I bought LR from an established tank. I just got it yesterday, so it's been almost 24 hours. I just dropped a couple of spirunlina pellets in there.
I tested my water a few minutes ago (before the food, if that matters). Here's what I got:
Ammonia - 0-.25ppm (color was in between)
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 5?? I can't tell the difference between the 5 and the 10 on the indicator card. (API Master Test Kit)
Any thoughts on what those numbers indicate?
Probably a little natural die-off from transporting the LR. Just keep an eye on it. What are you feeding? Is this a new tank?
 
mr_x

mr_x

Active Member
so, you bought live rock and it was in the air for 24 hours?
if that's what you meant, i'd say it will need to be re-cured. about a month, depending on the amount of life it had in it.
i don't think you need to add any food to the tank. the die off should be plenty to feed what's left alive.
 
saltfinsax

saltfinsax

Member
I just did this when i changed from a 55gl to a 125. I had about 120lb. of good rock that I put in the the tank and the sand was not live. All went in with in a week and never did get a cycling.
The way I look at it, is if the rock is really good then its allmost starving for stuff to eat-up, But I still would keep a eye on it and don't add a ton of fish in there right away.
 
groupergenius

groupergenius

Active Member
I don't see where the OP said anything about leaving rock out for 24 hours.

Just the time it takes to get LR home from a store or someone elses house, there is a small degree of die-off.
Forddna, your levels seem fine for now. If it were me, I wouldn't "feed" an empty tank with established rock. Just keep checking levels every day and you'll notice the change.
 
forddna

forddna

Member
LOL...I said the rock's been in the tank for 24 hours. It went straight from the guy's system to 5g buckets filled half with water. 45 minutes later, I drained some water from my tank and filled the buckets enough to cover everything, and then placed them in the tank. So at least half of it was submersed the entire time.

Okay, no more feedings then. I wasn't sure on that.
FWIW, I filled the tank with ro/di water last week and added salt until I reached 1.026. It's an Eclipse system, and I've had the filter system running since last week with an additional powerhead (which wouldn't work after I put the live rock in and put everything back together...grr!). The sand was not live.
If I missed anybody's question, let me know.
 
forddna

forddna

Member
Grouper, you wouldn't happen have a smallish powerhead laying around that you could sell, would you? I only need about 200-300gph.
 
mr_x

mr_x

Active Member
ah..i mis-read then.
i did the same thing transferring the contents of my 125 to my 195. i transported all of my rock completely submerged in buckets.
i did get a few algae blooms, but nothing showed up on the test kits.
 
mr_x

mr_x

Active Member
that's up to you. i don't think you have to. there's no livestock to worry about, so i'd just test weekly and wait.
 
forddna

forddna

Member
Today's test:
Nitrites - 0
Nitrates - 20
Ammonia - undetermined. Gonna post another thread on that one!
 
T

tizzo

Guest
Originally Posted by forddna
http:///forum/post/2586085
Grouper, you wouldn't happen have a smallish powerhead laying around that you could sell, would you? I only need about 200-300gph.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, not much makes me LITERALLY LOL, but that did!!
Grouper has complete set ups...just laying around! Grouper has tanks canopies heater corals fish and dogs...just laying around!!
That was a funny question if you know him.

Don't get me wrong though, I have positively benefitted from what Grouper has laying around.
Now if I can just get him to let me use that boat.
 
groupergenius

groupergenius

Active Member
Originally Posted by Tizzo
http:///forum/post/2588718
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, not much makes me LITERALLY LOL, but that did!!
Grouper has complete set ups...just laying around! Grouper has tanks canopies heater corals fish and dogs...just laying around!!
That was a funny question if you know him.

Don't get me wrong though, I have positively benefitted from what Grouper has laying around.
Now if I can just get him to let me use that boat.

Now that was a grand display of booty-kissin'........but you still ain't gettin' the boat.
 
payton 350

payton 350

Member
if you already put the established rock in the tank, you are not gonna cycle....your tank is ready to go. no dieoff on rock and rock is already established with bacteria....you my friend essentially have the same concept as when people move their tanks and put their fish in right away
 
forddna

forddna

Member
Then why have my nitrates risen? I'm skeered.
Hey, Grouper, since you have so much crap just laying around, mind if I bring a trailer???
 
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