Help!
- Thread starter ldb007
- Start date
reefkprz
Active Member
ok that makes sense no worries then just patience and keep doing the water changes the lack of an initializing the cycle makes a ton of sense. keep doing water changes cut back the amount of bacteria your adding. whats happening is the nitrosomonas and nitrobacter your adding is breaking down the ammonia but there is no nitrospira developed yet to complete the cycle. it will develop its own or you can introduce it by adding cured LR or sand from an existing tank or buying nitrospira bacteria live. if you reduce the amount of nitrobacter you add watch your ammonia levels. you dont want them to jump at this point it could cause a full on crash. its going to take a while for your tank to catch up to the bioload you have now, dont add anymore livestock keep testing and doing waterchanges, once you see nitrates developing you'll know your system is coming towards a full cycle balance.
reefkprz
Active Member
Originally Posted by ldb007
You know...I don't think I did add any ammonia source...but I can't remember. I'm also trying to add pictures but I can't seem to do it. I'm so confused. I appreciate all of your help, reef, really! I just don't know what to do.
your welcome I live for this sort of thing. I love researching and helping out. not only do I get to help educate but I learn alot in the process by answering questions I wouldn't think to ask. it lets me research a ton of new stuff.
and hopefully get to save a few fishes lives in the process.
You know...I don't think I did add any ammonia source...but I can't remember. I'm also trying to add pictures but I can't seem to do it. I'm so confused. I appreciate all of your help, reef, really! I just don't know what to do.
your welcome I live for this sort of thing. I love researching and helping out. not only do I get to help educate but I learn alot in the process by answering questions I wouldn't think to ask. it lets me research a ton of new stuff.
and hopefully get to save a few fishes lives in the process.
bigarn
Active Member
Originally Posted by earlybird
Have you ruled out a bad test kit? I'm not sure but I would think that trites would affect fish before inverts. What are you NO3 levels?
Bring some water to a LFS and have them test it ... as stated it could be a faulty test kit. High nitrites isn't really a threat to fish.
Have you ruled out a bad test kit? I'm not sure but I would think that trites would affect fish before inverts. What are you NO3 levels?
Bring some water to a LFS and have them test it ... as stated it could be a faulty test kit. High nitrites isn't really a threat to fish.
reefkprz
Active Member
you definatly want to keep adding live rock as you can afford it, thats what does most of your actual filtering. and provides surface area neede for bacterial growth.you want about 1 to 2 lbs per gallon. from what i see in the pictures you just dont have the capacity for sufficient biofiltration, the bio wheel helps but it cant handle it all. if your going to go with a reef you may want o switch over to sand instead of coral because sand is easier to maintain.
tanglove
Member
Are you sure that you have 50lbs of live rock? I have a 55 gallon with a little over 50lbs and I have a lot more rock than that, bigger rocks as well. But be careful adding even the live rock all at one time. I would do it gradually, I think (not 100% sure I am a newbie as well) that it can also cause a small cycle.
earlybird
Active Member
Originally Posted by ldb007
GREAT! I can't seem to do anything right...lol Yeah, its 50 pounds.
The rock you have is probably more dense. Google live rock and you'll find several different kinds from different places of the world. Some denser than others. Each brings with it it's own different hitchhikers good and bad, algae included.
GREAT! I can't seem to do anything right...lol Yeah, its 50 pounds.
The rock you have is probably more dense. Google live rock and you'll find several different kinds from different places of the world. Some denser than others. Each brings with it it's own different hitchhikers good and bad, algae included.