New Tank Question
- Thread starter patriot54
- Start date
bizzmoneyb
Member
the die off will continue to build up ammonia. try adding a small piece of shrimp to introduce bacteria to the tank that will break start elimating that ammonia. monitor it until your ammonia, nitrates and nitrites are at zero.
patriot54
Member
Originally Posted by pete159
http:///forum/post/2886646
yes it will. get a test kit for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.
if you get ammonia readings you know the cycle has started. the amount of die off will dictate the ammonia reading. i think its better have a higher reading of ammonia so it will build a more powerful bio filter.
So would I still need to add the shrimp?
http:///forum/post/2886646
yes it will. get a test kit for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate.
if you get ammonia readings you know the cycle has started. the amount of die off will dictate the ammonia reading. i think its better have a higher reading of ammonia so it will build a more powerful bio filter.
So would I still need to add the shrimp?
patriot54
Member
Originally Posted by BizzMoneyB
http:///forum/post/2886696
the die off will continue to build up ammonia. try adding a small piece of shrimp to introduce bacteria to the tank that will break start elimating that ammonia. monitor it until your ammonia, nitrates and nitrites are at zero.
What you are saying is that all of the ammonia will cause other things to die and thats why you want to add the shrimp, right?
http:///forum/post/2886696
the die off will continue to build up ammonia. try adding a small piece of shrimp to introduce bacteria to the tank that will break start elimating that ammonia. monitor it until your ammonia, nitrates and nitrites are at zero.
What you are saying is that all of the ammonia will cause other things to die and thats why you want to add the shrimp, right?
florida joe
Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by Patriot54
http:///forum/post/2886630
Ok, so I have my tank with live rock in it that I got today and I'm pretty sure that there is alot of die off. My question is that will the die off start a cycle, why or why not?
I am interested i knowing WHY YOU would think it would or would not start a new cycle
http:///forum/post/2886630
Ok, so I have my tank with live rock in it that I got today and I'm pretty sure that there is alot of die off. My question is that will the die off start a cycle, why or why not?
I am interested i knowing WHY YOU would think it would or would not start a new cycle
patriot54
Member
Originally Posted by florida joe
http:///forum/post/2886975
I am interested i knowing WHY YOU would think it would or would not start a new cycle
I was told that when things die that the produce ammonia and I was thinking that this would then convert into nitrite and then into nitrate. Am I wrong in thinking this joe?
http:///forum/post/2886975
I am interested i knowing WHY YOU would think it would or would not start a new cycle
I was told that when things die that the produce ammonia and I was thinking that this would then convert into nitrite and then into nitrate. Am I wrong in thinking this joe?
C
cmaxwell39
Guest
Originally Posted by Patriot54
http:///forum/post/2887074
I was told that when things die that the produce ammonia and I was thinking that this would then convert into nitrite and then into nitrate. Am I wrong in thinking this joe?
There are bacteria in the live rock and sand that break ammonia down into less toxic nitrite. Then there is another group of bacteria that breaks down the nitrite to nitrate. The process of building up adequate levels of these bacteria is called a "cycle."
So for a cycle to happen there has to be a source of ammonia to "feed" the bacteria. This source can be die off from uncured live rock, a raw shrimp, or some fish food that you put into the tank and let break down. Basically anything that dies as it decomposes produces ammonia.
http:///forum/post/2887074
I was told that when things die that the produce ammonia and I was thinking that this would then convert into nitrite and then into nitrate. Am I wrong in thinking this joe?
There are bacteria in the live rock and sand that break ammonia down into less toxic nitrite. Then there is another group of bacteria that breaks down the nitrite to nitrate. The process of building up adequate levels of these bacteria is called a "cycle."
So for a cycle to happen there has to be a source of ammonia to "feed" the bacteria. This source can be die off from uncured live rock, a raw shrimp, or some fish food that you put into the tank and let break down. Basically anything that dies as it decomposes produces ammonia.
pete159
Member
get a test kit for ammonia nitrite and nitrate.
normally adding a shrimp is to get an ammonia reading, but since you have die off on the live rock i am not sure if you still need to. If you have a ammonia reading of 3.0 to 5.0 that is a good thing and will help you have a strong bio filter. i have read posts from people saying they have a small reading like 0.5 or less and think thats a good thing. A low ammonia reading only means you will have to add fish much more slowly, but if you have a higher reading the bio filter will be better and able to handle more fish at once.
anyways, get those test kits so you know where you stand.
normally adding a shrimp is to get an ammonia reading, but since you have die off on the live rock i am not sure if you still need to. If you have a ammonia reading of 3.0 to 5.0 that is a good thing and will help you have a strong bio filter. i have read posts from people saying they have a small reading like 0.5 or less and think thats a good thing. A low ammonia reading only means you will have to add fish much more slowly, but if you have a higher reading the bio filter will be better and able to handle more fish at once.
anyways, get those test kits so you know where you stand.
patriot54
Member
Originally Posted by pete159
http:///forum/post/2887304
get a test kit for ammonia nitrite and nitrate.
normally adding a shrimp is to get an ammonia reading, but since you have die off on the live rock i am not sure if you still need to. If you have a ammonia reading of 3.0 to 5.0 that is a good thing and will help you have a strong bio filter. i have read posts from people saying they have a small reading like 0.5 or less and think thats a good thing. A low ammonia reading only means you will have to add fish much more slowly, but if you have a higher reading the bio filter will be better and able to handle more fish at once.
anyways, get those test kits so you know where you stand.
that made alot of sense, thanks
http:///forum/post/2887304
get a test kit for ammonia nitrite and nitrate.
normally adding a shrimp is to get an ammonia reading, but since you have die off on the live rock i am not sure if you still need to. If you have a ammonia reading of 3.0 to 5.0 that is a good thing and will help you have a strong bio filter. i have read posts from people saying they have a small reading like 0.5 or less and think thats a good thing. A low ammonia reading only means you will have to add fish much more slowly, but if you have a higher reading the bio filter will be better and able to handle more fish at once.
anyways, get those test kits so you know where you stand.
that made alot of sense, thanks