New Tank Cycling

lsudiva · 07/23/2007, 12:00 PM

Good morning! I just set up a new 90G RR. It's got a LifeReef filtration system w/ a fuge and skimmer that's designed for up to 125g. We've put about 45 lbs of base rock and 55 lbs of show rock. This was all set up on Saturday. The show rock had just been shipped and we took a box that it was shipped in, so it hadn't been cured. Since this is a new system, I didn't think it would be a big deal. The base rock is well cured and came out of an existing system. Now for the question: My Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates are off the charts (which I'd expect for a cycling tank), but should I do a water change? The parameters are: Ammonia=2.5, Nitrite=2.0, and Nitrate=80.

Thanks in advance for your help!

conefree · 07/23/2007, 12:10 PM

If there aren't any fish, inverts, or corals in the tank, I wouldn't worry about it and ride out the cycle. If there is something in the tank, I would do water changes to less than 1 ppm ammonia.

bertoni · 07/23/2007, 12:15 PM

You could do a water change, but it's optional, assuming there's no fish. Some water changes might help save some life on the live rock, and I'd likely do some if I had the time and the energy, but I wouldn't get carried away with it.

lsudiva · 07/23/2007, 12:42 PM

Good info! There aren't any fish or anything else in the tank, but I was a little concerned about killing off any existing bacteria.

Thanks!

conefree · 07/23/2007, 12:53 PM

some may die off, but when your cycle is over, that is direct indication that your bacteria population is in full swing.

07/23/2007, 12:00 PM	#1
lsudiva Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 158	New Tank Cycling Good morning! I just set up a new 90G RR. It's got a LifeReef filtration system w/ a fuge and skimmer that's designed for up to 125g. We've put about 45 lbs of base rock and 55 lbs of show rock. This was all set up on Saturday. The show rock had just been shipped and we took a box that it was shipped in, so it hadn't been cured. Since this is a new system, I didn't think it would be a big deal. The base rock is well cured and came out of an existing system. Now for the question: My Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates are off the charts (which I'd expect for a cycling tank), but should I do a water change? The parameters are: Ammonia=2.5, Nitrite=2.0, and Nitrate=80. Thanks in advance for your help!

07/23/2007, 12:10 PM	#2
conefree Gene Pool Lifeguard Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Downingtown, PA Posts: 758	If there aren't any fish, inverts, or corals in the tank, I wouldn't worry about it and ride out the cycle. If there is something in the tank, I would do water changes to less than 1 ppm ammonia. __________________ Chris "A Closed Mouth Gathers No Foot" - Unknown Some people are like Slinkies . . . not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs. Current Tank Info: 120 gallon, Ecosystem 3612, 6X54 TEK light, Tunze Osmolator, Lifereef dual overflow all down

07/23/2007, 12:15 PM	#3
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	You could do a water change, but it's optional, assuming there's no fish. Some water changes might help save some life on the live rock, and I'd likely do some if I had the time and the energy, but I wouldn't get carried away with it. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

07/23/2007, 12:53 PM	#5
conefree Gene Pool Lifeguard Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Downingtown, PA Posts: 758	some may die off, but when your cycle is over, that is direct indication that your bacteria population is in full swing. __________________ Chris "A Closed Mouth Gathers No Foot" - Unknown Some people are like Slinkies . . . not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs. Current Tank Info: 120 gallon, Ecosystem 3612, 6X54 TEK light, Tunze Osmolator, Lifereef dual overflow all down

07/23/2007, 12:42 PM	#4
lsudiva Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 158	Good info! There aren't any fish or anything else in the tank, but I was a little concerned about killing off any existing bacteria. Thanks!