I hope I can swim.... (First venture into Saltwater 29g build)

southern wolf

southern wolf

Member
Ammonia is around 1.0 and Nitrites is still 0
Any idea how high the ammonia will go before it starts changing?
I ended up working OT on one of my days off so I wasn't able to make it to the fish store to get any LR. Basically... Im starting off with a brand new tank.
 
rickross23

rickross23

Active Member
The cycle is a lot when you have used LR. I bought my tank used (120g) with around 300lbs of LR and my cycle took 2 weeks start to finish. Patience is a virtue though.!
 
mr. limpid

mr. limpid

Active Member
Did you add any bacteria from another source like a cup of sand from an established tank? I know that you started with dead rock. Without a bacteria source it will take some time B4 the bacteria actual start growing and the cycle starts. The ammonia will continue to rise while there is a source, I would pull out the source.
 
southern wolf

southern wolf

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Limpid http:///t/390512/i-hope-i-can-swim-first-venture-into-saltwater-29g-build/100#post_3468014
Did you add any bacteria from another source like a cup of sand from an established tank? I know that you started with dead rock. Without a bacteria source it will take some time B4 the bacteria actual start growing and the cycle starts. The ammonia will continue to rise while there is a source, I would pull out the source.
copy that... stop ghost feeding. I hope to get some live rock soon. Depends on what this weekend brings.
 
southern wolf

southern wolf

Member
I look at my tank and I swear I hear the Jeopardy theme playing.

My dog made sure I didn't have the money to go to the "not so local" fish store this weekend. She decided she wanted to play chicken with a car. She lost. Good thing is it wasn't a major loss... thankfully she didn't have any broken bones just really sore and bruised. After the vet started poking and prodding on her she thought he looked like a good person to try and kill. LOL Ended up having to tranq her.... wuuussss.
Anyhow after I left the vets with a much smaller bank account we swung by sonic so she could get her vanilla ice cream and all was right in her world again.
So I guess we wait for the next paycheck before I can think about getting some more dead rock and some live rock to help the cycle along.
 
southern wolf

southern wolf

Member
Looks like I am going to have to go buy some live rock to jump start my cycle. I'll most likely be going to the fish store tomarrow. Anything that I need to do with it before I plop it in my tank when I get home?
 
snakeblitz33

snakeblitz33

Well-Known Member
I never do anything to the liverock that I buy. It's unnecessary, to be honest.
Some people wash it off in some saltwater and scrub it lightly with a toothbrush or some kind of scrub brush. Make sure if you do that, the brushes are unused and right out of the package.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern Wolf http:///t/390512/i-hope-i-can-swim-first-venture-into-saltwater-29g-build/100#post_3471180
Looks like I am going to have to go buy some live rock to jump start my cycle. I'll most likely be going to the fish store tomarrow. Anything that I need to do with it before I plop it in my tank when I get home?
LOL..I .agree, no toothpaste....
You need the rock for bacteria to attach to...not to kick start the cycle, a chunk of raw shrimp, or some pure ammonia from the laundry section of the grocery store will work just fine. Just remember the rock goes in before the sand - so the rock is on the bottom.
 
southern wolf

southern wolf

Member
I've got the ammonia in the tank... I have been ghost feeding. Problem is it is not converting to the next stage... so I figured a LR with some bacteria already on it would help move along my cycle.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Southern Wolf http:///t/390512/i-hope-i-can-swim-first-venture-into-saltwater-29g-build/100#post_3471307
I've got the ammonia in the tank... I have been ghost feeding. Problem is it is not converting to the next stage... so I figured a LR with some bacteria already on it would help move along my cycle.
True you could try live rock....but to be honest if the tank is ammonia filled, it will just add to the ammonia already there when the tiny critters die...since you said it won't go to the next stage.
You can use sand from an established tank for good bacteria, OR you can get a container of good bacteria. Liquid Cycle is easy to get, biozyme is a powder type for saltwater...I ordered some bacteria from Aquarepure...that is some good healthy bacteria, I can tell by the smell. Keeping your tank water nice and warm will also speed things along.
 
southern wolf

southern wolf

Member
Just to show that my luck is holding true to form.
For weeks my Ammonia hasn't been dropping and I have been trying to get to the fish store to get some live rock. I finally just said screw it and went to our somewhat more local ***** (30 mins one way vs 1.5hrs one way for a true fish store) and I bought a live rock. I get home and place the LR in the tank and decide to also do another water test.
Ammonia 0.25, Nitrites are around 5.0
Yep.... for around a month my tank's not even trying to cycle and when I go spend way too much money on a rock... it starts the cycle. Guess I should have checked the parameters before going after the rock.
My luck is definitely holding true to form..... crappy luck. :)
 
southern wolf

southern wolf

Member
Yeah... now that my ammonia is dropping I am going to resume ghost feeding once the 'trites drop a bit. Right now they are at the top of my test range.
They had a couple of beautiful fish at *****. I think they were a type of goby, but Im not sure. It was all I could do to not bring anything home but the rock. I don't want to submit the fish to crappy conditions though. I was a bit surprised that I didn't see not one damsel in their tanks.
 
S

siptang

Guest
You have been doing it for a while. I don't think you would need to ghost feed any more once the nitrites go down.
Amonia spike -> nitrite spike -> nitrate spike -> return to normal? Add fish!
 
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