hiddenicon
Member
How long do i have to wait to put the fish in after i have already put the live rock in? 1 week or 2 weeks?
How long do i wait to put in the fish
- Thread starter hiddenicon
- Start date
hiddenicon
Member
tank has cycled for about 2 weeks, i have a 55 gal. tank, i want to start with clownfish only, live rock was added today
greatfullreefer
Active Member
Do you have Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate tests?
hiddenicon
Member
no none of that
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tizzo
Guest
This is one I didn't miss...
Welcome to SWF!!!!!
Now that's outta the way, let's start from the top... What did you use to cycle your tank?
Welcome to SWF!!!!!
Now that's outta the way, let's start from the top... What did you use to cycle your tank?
hiddenicon
Member
i have 2 hanging filters that have been cycling the water for 2 weeks, and the store said that i didn't need anymore filtration. i added the coral rock and salt-water 2 weeks ago and i added the live rock today, now when do i add the fish
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tizzo
Guest
Well there's good news and bad...
Good news is that you found this sight...
Bad news is that you haven't started a cycle yet. To put it simply a cycle is what we call it when your tank reaches an ammonia spike then a nitrite spike then finally a nitrate spike. This will happen in your tank and if you have fish in it, it could kill them. So right now, throw a piece of cocktail shrimp in your tank, let it rot, and your cycle has begun. After that, it usually takes about 6 weeks to complete, but you've added live rock so it may speed up the process. I know this isn't what you wanted to hear, but it's true.
Good news is that you found this sight...
Bad news is that you haven't started a cycle yet. To put it simply a cycle is what we call it when your tank reaches an ammonia spike then a nitrite spike then finally a nitrate spike. This will happen in your tank and if you have fish in it, it could kill them. So right now, throw a piece of cocktail shrimp in your tank, let it rot, and your cycle has begun. After that, it usually takes about 6 weeks to complete, but you've added live rock so it may speed up the process. I know this isn't what you wanted to hear, but it's true.
standish
Member
Cycling refers to the nitrogen cycle. This must be established in order for your tank to handle the bio-load of fish waste.
To begin your cycle you need to provide a source of ammonia. You can use uncured live rock for this or simply throw a raw cocktail shrimp (from the supermarket) in there. Once you have your ammonia spike up substantially, your tank will be cycling. The ammonia will be broken down by the beneficial bacteria and it will then spike your nitrite levels. These will be broken down further until you are left will 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and a reading of nitrates.
You may then do a water change and start stocking your tank.
At no time during the cycling process is it safe to add livestock to your tank.
You MUST test your water and follow the cycling process through to know when you are ready for fish. You cannot safely add fish until your ammonia and nitrite levels are back down to 0.
Trying to hurry this process will only result in dead fish.
To begin your cycle you need to provide a source of ammonia. You can use uncured live rock for this or simply throw a raw cocktail shrimp (from the supermarket) in there. Once you have your ammonia spike up substantially, your tank will be cycling. The ammonia will be broken down by the beneficial bacteria and it will then spike your nitrite levels. These will be broken down further until you are left will 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and a reading of nitrates.
You may then do a water change and start stocking your tank.
At no time during the cycling process is it safe to add livestock to your tank.
You MUST test your water and follow the cycling process through to know when you are ready for fish. You cannot safely add fish until your ammonia and nitrite levels are back down to 0.
Trying to hurry this process will only result in dead fish.
hiddenicon
Member
a shrimp really? how does that work, and how do i test all this stuff?
T
tizzo
Guest
Yeah that, this is a VERY detailed thread by 007,
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/116184/saltwater-aquariums-101-the-cycle
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/116184/saltwater-aquariums-101-the-cycle
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tizzo
Guest
Originally posted by Hiddenicon
a shrimp really? how does that work, and how do i test all this stuff?
You'll need test kits for the 3 things listed. Or you can take a sample of your water to your LFS and ask them to test it. Then write down the numbers, and you can post them for "approval" or just to see where you are in the cycle.
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tizzo
Guest
Oh sorry, you asked how the shrimp works...
Basically, it rots, and when things rot, they create ammonia.
Basically, it rots, and when things rot, they create ammonia.
hiddenicon
Member
what if my specific gravity is where it's supose to be?, do i still need to test that stuff
hiddenicon
Member
y would i want to add something that will make the ammonia higher if i want the number to be 0, and what should my PH be
hiddenicon
Member
will the ammonia level go back to where it's supose to be by itself?
standish
Member
Yes, it will. It will be broken down into nitrites and then further to nitrates.
Both ammonia and nitrites are toxic and should never be present in an established tank. Nitrates can be anything under 40 (the closer to 0 the better).
Once your tank has finished cycling, the bacteria will keep the ammonia and nitrites at 0.
Water changes can usually keep your nitrate levels in check.
Both ammonia and nitrites are toxic and should never be present in an established tank. Nitrates can be anything under 40 (the closer to 0 the better).
Once your tank has finished cycling, the bacteria will keep the ammonia and nitrites at 0.
Water changes can usually keep your nitrate levels in check.
greatfullreefer
Active Member
Yes but it will take 4 - 6 weeks as stated.
T
tizzo
Guest
Your specific gravity (to put it easy) is basically a measure of your salt content. Your Ph should be between 8.0 and 8.4 but it will decline in the night. You want to cause that ammonia spike so you have control over when it starts. If you add a fish now, his poop will cause it to start and it will most likely kill the fish. Ammonia we'll say "turns into" nitrite (which is just as toxic), then that "turns into" nitrate. Which is BENEFICIAL to your tank... at which time you can slowly start adding fish.