Cure Live Rock - Page 2

bertoni · 12/14/2009, 07:08 PM

There aren't any useful resins per se for saltwater tanks.

The nitrite and nitrate should drop on their own. Getting the biological filter going just takes time with some batches of live rock.

DJ_PAPA · 12/15/2009, 07:39 AM

Ok then. Today I added some Sera Nitrivec just to see if it really have impact on No2 and No3 as they say in the publicity.

Today I will put there an Deltec APF600 runing and take the activated carbon. Hope that the skymmer help to reduce the NO2 and NO3.

DJ_PAPA · 12/16/2009, 05:15 AM

Today I add the Deltec APF600 and it's look very good.
The ammonia, NO2 and NO3 are high. Time to change 50% of water.

Looks like is going to be a long process until the values lower... have now passed 5 days since the start of the cure.
I was thinking that the process should complete in 2-3 weeks, but maibe it will take longer.

Anyone know if it's suposed that the cube get the No2, Amonia, NO3 almost to zero with time?
Or is it impossible on the cube and only possible on the Display tank with 120 gallon?

I also received dead rock, and put it in a box with a pump. The water is a litle yellow.
It should rest there 1 week?
Should I add to the water Sera Nitrivec with bacterial to populate the dead rock?

Thanks!

Spajdi · 12/16/2009, 06:03 AM

Of course It'll be fine It doesn't matter It's nano... ! So You didn't have skimmer before ? That was very wrong and probably that's the reason why now You have still high NO3 but don't worry !

Now you got skimmer (It should produce high amount of dirty water now in few days than It'll stop a bit and produce much less that'll be the good signal) and after few weeks NO3 will be 0 or very close to 0

But what for You add the dead rock ?? IMHO before you add dead rock into your tank put It into RO water for few days and change this water every day... If this dead rock Is dirty inside It could be a "biological bomb" and NO3/PO4 factory...

DJ_PAPA · 12/16/2009, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spajdi

Of course It'll be fine It doesn't matter It's nano... ! So You didn't have skimmer before ? That was very wrong and probably that's the reason why now You have still high NO3 but don't worry !

Now you got skimmer (It should produce high amount of dirty water now in few days than It'll stop a bit and produce much less that'll be the good signal) and after few weeks NO3 will be 0 or very close to 0

Now the skimmer is working on the cube and it already took some dirty.
i dind't put it there before because I receive it 4 days later of receiving the live rock. It's dificult to fit deliverys on schedule when things come Mail from Fiji, Germany, Portugal,...

But I made some water changes and I will continue to make water changes to keep the water less toxic.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spajdi

But what for You add the dead rock ?? IMHO before you add dead rock into your tank put It into RO water for few days and change this water every day... If this dead rock Is dirty inside It could be a "biological bomb" and NO3/PO4 factory...

The dead rock is a separate tank. A plastic box with it's own water and heater and pump. I dind't mixed dead and live rock in the same tank.
I need the dead rock for aquascaping, and the dysplay tank is still empty with nothing.
For now I have small tanks with live/dead rock spearated cycling.

It's there and the water is yellow. But I cleaned it very wel before put it there. I will make water changes until water come crystal.
It is also in a dark environment to prevent algae.

Is this ok with dead rock?
Anything I'm doing wrong?

Spajdi · 12/16/2009, 07:14 AM

Ahh sory I didn't read that dead rock Is in another tank so that's good u can just keep this dead rock in RO/DI water changed quite often and shake this rock sometimes and than when water will be clear u can put this dead rock into display tank. Im sure You will have good parameters and now You only need to wait and keeps skimmer doing his job

And remember water changes fix only symptoms but not cure the reason of high NO3 this is protein skimmer job to throw out bad things from tank before they can go to NO2/NO3 through the nitrogen cycle process...

DJ_PAPA · 12/16/2009, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spajdi

Ahh sory I didn't read that dead rock Is in another tank so that's good u can just keep this dead rock in RO/DI water changed quite often and shake this rock sometimes and than when water will be clear u can put this dead rock into display tank. Im sure You will have good parameters and now You only need to wait and keeps skimmer doing his job

And remember water changes fix only symptoms but not cure the reason of high NO3 this is protein skimmer job to throw out bad things from tank before they can go to NO2/NO3 through the nitrogen cycle process...

Thanks!

The water must be RO/DI? The quality of the water here is very good.

I have an RO/DI unit but the waste : pure water ratio is too much high 4:1. Is there any way to increase the ratio to 3:1 or 2.5:1?

bertoni · 12/16/2009, 04:45 PM

I would use RO/DI water, because tap water can have a lot of contaminants. There are RO/DI units available with much lower waste ratios. I know SpectraPure has some; you could start there.

You could do some water changes on the dead rock tub. That might help speed the process by removing some debris. The skimmer might be able to reduce the nitrite and nitrate levels, but most of the ammonia present is going to be converted to nitrite and nitrate because the skimmer can't remove ammonia in any significant amount. The dead rock isn't very critical, and what you're doing is fine as is.

frewd · 12/16/2009, 05:21 PM

i would do water changes but not to big and not to many, also yes put the dead rock in after you rinse very well, but i would let it sit longer than if it was just the other rock.

DJ_PAPA · 12/17/2009, 04:42 AM

I saw SpectraPure, but prices for the osmose units are very very very high.

The cube with Live rock still have high Amonia, NO2 and NO3. But not even 1 week have passed.
The skimmer is there working, but I see that this will be a very long process until amonia, NO2 and NO3 start to drop...

Should I move the rocks every day? Rotate them in the cube to always have new positions?
Or they should stand still in the same place?

bertoni · 12/18/2009, 03:50 AM

I would leave the rock alone and wait.

DJ_PAPA · 12/18/2009, 09:18 AM

Ok, thanks.
Skimmer his taking dirty water and is helping the process.

lordofthereef · 12/18/2009, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bertoni

I would leave the rock alone and wait.

+1

It is hard to resist messing with a new tank, especially when you have never had one before, but the best thing to do is sit and wait. Resist the urges to add and chemicals or anything to the mix just yet. It will even itself out in the end. If you MUST do something, water changes are ok, but I am of the mindset that those are usually not necessary either.

DJ_PAPA · 12/18/2009, 03:14 PM

I'm just scared with the Amonia, No2 and No3 values

I din't know how much tame it will take for them to drop but I think that if I don't do anything they will stay very much time that way.

But I will wait. One week has gone through so lets see what happens on the next week.

DJ_PAPA · 12/28/2009, 04:41 AM

Update:
The cube with Live Rock have now NO2=0, NO3=0 and NH4=0

I also have dead rock that because it's dead is releasing No2 and No3 in other tanks and that No2 and No3 isn't lowering because the dead rock have no bacteria. Still, I add to that water bacteria adictive by Sera Nitrivec to help reducing that NO2 and NO3.

So should I put everything on the display tank? Or what should I do with the dead rock that is the problem now?

The Live Rock is awssome. Should i put light on it for 4h day to recover coraline?

Help! Thanks!!!

Spajdi · 12/28/2009, 05:41 AM

IMHO put this dead rock to the display and wait to get NO3=0 and run lights about 6h daily until NO3 will be 0 and then You can run lights 10-12h

DJ_PAPA · 12/28/2009, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spajdi

IMHO put this dead rock to the display and wait to get NO3=0 and run lights about 6h daily until NO3 will be 0 and then You can run lights 10-12h

With how many Watts?
I have 8X 54W T5 that can be on or off individually.
And only with Actinict, Blue or White lamps?

Thanks!

DJ_PAPA · 12/29/2009, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ_PAPA

With how many Watts?
I have 8X 54W T5 that can be on or off individually.
And only with Actinict, Blue or White lamps?

Thanks!

Any idea on that?

Thanks.

DJ_PAPA · 01/16/2010, 10:32 AM

Just an update to show how is it right now:

Aquarium:
130cm X 60xm X 55cm = 430L / 114Gallon
Sump:
75cm x 40cm x 35cm = 105L / 28Gallon

Ligh:
8 x 54W T5

Watter flow:
Return pump: Ocean runner 3500 l/h
Stream pumps: SunSun 5000 l/h + Tunze 6045 4500 l/h
Power head: Aquaclear 1200 l/h

Water values today:
NO2- 0
NO3 - 1 mg/l
PH- 8.2
KH- 9
Ca- 480
Mg-1280
Salinity- 1.025
Temperature- 25 ºC

12/14/2009, 07:08 PM	#26
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	There aren't any useful resins per se for saltwater tanks. The nitrite and nitrate should drop on their own. Getting the biological filter going just takes time with some batches of live rock. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

12/16/2009, 06:03 AM	#29
Spajdi Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 42	Of course It'll be fine It doesn't matter It's nano... ! So You didn't have skimmer before ? That was very wrong and probably that's the reason why now You have still high NO3 but don't worry ! Now you got skimmer (It should produce high amount of dirty water now in few days than It'll stop a bit and produce much less that'll be the good signal) and after few weeks NO3 will be 0 or very close to 0 But what for You add the dead rock ?? IMHO before you add dead rock into your tank put It into RO water for few days and change this water every day... If this dead rock Is dirty inside It could be a "biological bomb" and NO3/PO4 factory... Last edited by Spajdi; 12/16/2009 at 06:09 AM.

12/16/2009, 04:45 PM	#33
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I would use RO/DI water, because tap water can have a lot of contaminants. There are RO/DI units available with much lower waste ratios. I know SpectraPure has some; you could start there. You could do some water changes on the dead rock tub. That might help speed the process by removing some debris. The skimmer might be able to reduce the nitrite and nitrate levels, but most of the ammonia present is going to be converted to nitrite and nitrate because the skimmer can't remove ammonia in any significant amount. The dead rock isn't very critical, and what you're doing is fine as is. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

12/18/2009, 03:50 AM	#36
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I would leave the rock alone and wait. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

12/15/2009, 07:39 AM	#27
DJ_PAPA Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 84	Ok then. Today I added some Sera Nitrivec just to see if it really have impact on No2 and No3 as they say in the publicity. Today I will put there an Deltec APF600 runing and take the activated carbon. Hope that the skymmer help to reduce the NO2 and NO3.

12/16/2009, 05:15 AM	#28
DJ_PAPA Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 84	Today I add the Deltec APF600 and it's look very good. The ammonia, NO2 and NO3 are high. Time to change 50% of water. Looks like is going to be a long process until the values lower... have now passed 5 days since the start of the cure. I was thinking that the process should complete in 2-3 weeks, but maibe it will take longer. Anyone know if it's suposed that the cube get the No2, Amonia, NO3 almost to zero with time? Or is it impossible on the cube and only possible on the Display tank with 120 gallon? I also received dead rock, and put it in a box with a pump. The water is a litle yellow. It should rest there 1 week? Should I add to the water Sera Nitrivec with bacterial to populate the dead rock? Thanks!

12/16/2009, 07:14 AM	#31
Spajdi Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 42	Ahh sory I didn't read that dead rock Is in another tank so that's good u can just keep this dead rock in RO/DI water changed quite often and shake this rock sometimes and than when water will be clear u can put this dead rock into display tank. Im sure You will have good parameters and now You only need to wait and keeps skimmer doing his job And remember water changes fix only symptoms but not cure the reason of high NO3 this is protein skimmer job to throw out bad things from tank before they can go to NO2/NO3 through the nitrogen cycle process...

12/16/2009, 05:21 PM	#34
frewd Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 57	i would do water changes but not to big and not to many, also yes put the dead rock in after you rinse very well, but i would let it sit longer than if it was just the other rock.

12/17/2009, 04:42 AM	#35
DJ_PAPA Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 84	I saw SpectraPure, but prices for the osmose units are very very very high. The cube with Live rock still have high Amonia, NO2 and NO3. But not even 1 week have passed. The skimmer is there working, but I see that this will be a very long process until amonia, NO2 and NO3 start to drop... Should I move the rocks every day? Rotate them in the cube to always have new positions? Or they should stand still in the same place?

12/18/2009, 09:18 AM	#37
DJ_PAPA Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 84	Ok, thanks. Skimmer his taking dirty water and is helping the process.

12/18/2009, 03:14 PM	#39
DJ_PAPA Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 84	I'm just scared with the Amonia, No2 and No3 values I din't know how much tame it will take for them to drop but I think that if I don't do anything they will stay very much time that way. But I will wait. One week has gone through so lets see what happens on the next week.

12/28/2009, 04:41 AM	#40
DJ_PAPA Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 84	Update: The cube with Live Rock have now NO2=0, NO3=0 and NH4=0 I also have dead rock that because it's dead is releasing No2 and No3 in other tanks and that No2 and No3 isn't lowering because the dead rock have no bacteria. Still, I add to that water bacteria adictive by Sera Nitrivec to help reducing that NO2 and NO3. So should I put everything on the display tank? Or what should I do with the dead rock that is the problem now? The Live Rock is awssome. Should i put light on it for 4h day to recover coraline? Help! Thanks!!!

12/28/2009, 05:41 AM	#41
Spajdi Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 42	IMHO put this dead rock to the display and wait to get NO3=0 and run lights about 6h daily until NO3 will be 0 and then You can run lights 10-12h

01/16/2010, 10:32 AM	#44
DJ_PAPA Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 84	Just an update to show how is it right now: Aquarium: 130cm X 60xm X 55cm = 430L / 114Gallon Sump: 75cm x 40cm x 35cm = 105L / 28Gallon Ligh: 8 x 54W T5 Watter flow: Return pump: Ocean runner 3500 l/h Stream pumps: SunSun 5000 l/h + Tunze 6045 4500 l/h Power head: Aquaclear 1200 l/h Water values today: NO2- 0 NO3 - 1 mg/l PH- 8.2 KH- 9 Ca- 480 Mg-1280 Salinity- 1.025 Temperature- 25 ºC