Cycle question

HowieB · 10/01/2010, 04:11 PM

Hi all, I started a new 120 gallon setup about 4 weeks ago. I have about 75 pounds of Marco rock and 30 pounds of live rock from my LFS. I've been adding fish food every day for the last 3 weeks and threw a fresh shrimp in last week. There has been no ammonia, nitrites or nitrates with the Salifert test kits. If the live rock from the LFS already had bacteria in it, will I ever see the ammonia or nitrite spike? Some additional info: Return pump (Eheim 1262) is running, lights are off, Skimmer off, Vortech on. Thanks

Canadian Reefer · 10/01/2010, 04:45 PM

I suspect that the rock you got from your LFS has been keeping up with the nutrients and you could start putting in a fish or two and work your way up. Good luck and gratz on the new system.

philosophile · 10/01/2010, 04:51 PM

Yeah, sounds like the rock was already loaded with the good stuff. This doesn't mean that you should dump in all your fish at once though. Add a couple at a time, slowly, to let the bacteria adjust to the load.

WSI2406 · 10/01/2010, 04:51 PM

Start adding a hardy fish(clown, chromis) I'm sure you had some die off, but I think you should be fine.

Good luck

10/01/2010, 04:11 PM	#1
HowieB Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: LaMirada, California Posts: 393	Cycle question Hi all, I started a new 120 gallon setup about 4 weeks ago. I have about 75 pounds of Marco rock and 30 pounds of live rock from my LFS. I've been adding fish food every day for the last 3 weeks and threw a fresh shrimp in last week. There has been no ammonia, nitrites or nitrates with the Salifert test kits. If the live rock from the LFS already had bacteria in it, will I ever see the ammonia or nitrite spike? Some additional info: Return pump (Eheim 1262) is running, lights are off, Skimmer off, Vortech on. Thanks

10/01/2010, 04:45 PM	#2
Canadian Reefer Reefer Madness Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Windsor, Ontario Posts: 261	I suspect that the rock you got from your LFS has been keeping up with the nutrients and you could start putting in a fish or two and work your way up. Good luck and gratz on the new system. __________________ Reefing can't be an addiction, I don't smoke it or drink it. I just need it to be happy!

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10/01/2010, 04:51 PM	#3
philosophile Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 1,149	Yeah, sounds like the rock was already loaded with the good stuff. This doesn't mean that you should dump in all your fish at once though. Add a couple at a time, slowly, to let the bacteria adjust to the load.

10/01/2010, 04:51 PM	#4
WSI2406 Moved On Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Oakville, on Posts: 135	Start adding a hardy fish(clown, chromis) I'm sure you had some die off, but I think you should be fine. Good luck