Live Rock Question.

[mproctor4]

I'm sure this will sound like a silly question but this is the first new tank I have started. Previously I had bought established SW tanks and just moved them. We are about a week into our cycle. I have a fair amount of base rock and a few pounds of live rock. The live rock is covered with little critters that I am hoping make it through the cycle. Since there isn't any nutrients in the water and not a lot of live rock, do we need to feed the critters at all? We have seen a few small corals, tube worms, and snails and I really don't want them to starve! Any recommendations?

 

[spanko]

Leave them alone during the cycle. A lot of things will make it through the initial cycle providing the ammonia spike doesn't go crazy. If you really want to try to save as much as you can test you ammonia daily. When it reaches 0.5 do a 10% water change. Don't let the ammonia get over the 0.5.

 

[mproctor4]

That is good to know. Today my ammonia was between .5-1.0. I have a test kit from API but it is tricky to match the colors sometimes. I will do a water change tonight. Thanks for the quick response!

 

[spanko]