Wow

rade8em · 05/08/2008, 07:10 PM

Hello all,
Dont know about yall, but that tank of the month blew
my mind. I just about fainted when I saw it.

quick question
I put live rock in my new 29gl tank 1 week ago. I measured yesterday and the readings are:

Salinity is 1.026
amonia 0ppm
nitrate 5.0
temp 78

these are the same reading I had before, it seems that nothing is going on in my tank. When is everything going to spike and the cycle begin? Have I done something wrong? And I have seen nothing move on my rocks. I do see some purpleish red stuff
growing on 2 of the rocks.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/189396rock1.jpg

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/189396rock2.jpg

jamest0o0 · 05/08/2008, 07:32 PM

how established was the sand/rock? Was it straight out of the box or was it in an established aquarium? If it already had bacteria on it the cycle may just be ending. GL!

mrbigshot · 05/08/2008, 07:34 PM

you may not have had enough die off to get the cycle going. the living bacteria on the rock could have converted it quickly as well as if you had live sand. take a small raw shrimp and throw that in there. otherwise use a damsal (everyone says its cruel and not to do it) or use some fish food.

i used 3 shrimp and long story short i dont think i ever will again. it will be some frozen food next time.

rade8em · 05/08/2008, 07:58 PM

I will try the shrimp tomm. should I turn on the skimmer now? or wait for the tank to cycle?

Mariner · 05/08/2008, 08:15 PM

I don't agree about using the shrimp, especially if your LR was well-cured. IMO, there's no sense in generating a lot of unecessary nitrogen build-up, encouraging hair algae and possibly harming some of the life on your live rock. If it were me, I'd let things ride another week or two, if everything still tests OK, start stocking slowly -- allowing the biofilters in the LR to adjust as needed.
HTH,
Mariner

tmz · 05/08/2008, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mariner
I don't agree about using the shrimp, especially if your LR was well-cured. IMO, there's no sense in generating a lot of unecessary nitrogen build-up, encouraging hair algae and possibly harming some of the life on your live rock. If it were me, I'd let things ride another week or two, if everything still tests OK, start stocking slowly -- allowing the biofilters in the LR to adjust as needed.
HTH,
Mariner

I agree.
Yes I would turn the skimmer on so it can remove some presdisolved organics and lower your nitrate.

rade8em · 05/08/2008, 09:35 PM

thank you very much...I think I will turn the skimmer on and ride it out for another week

weluvfish54 · 05/08/2008, 09:42 PM

agreed.
no need for unecessary ammonia buildup..
just wait it out.
thats what sux about salt- nothings instant!

tmz · 05/08/2008, 09:44 PM

Patience works wonders when starting up.

05/08/2008, 07:10 PM	#1
rade8em Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 107	Wow Hello all, Dont know about yall, but that tank of the month blew my mind. I just about fainted when I saw it. quick question I put live rock in my new 29gl tank 1 week ago. I measured yesterday and the readings are: Salinity is 1.026 amonia 0ppm nitrate 5.0 temp 78 these are the same reading I had before, it seems that nothing is going on in my tank. When is everything going to spike and the cycle begin? Have I done something wrong? And I have seen nothing move on my rocks. I do see some purpleish red stuff growing on 2 of the rocks. http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/189396rock1.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/189396rock2.jpg __________________ it burns!! it burns!! theres salt in my eye..... Current Tank Info: 29gl& 20 fresh water, 29gl salt water

05/08/2008, 07:32 PM	#2
jamest0o0 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,325	how established was the sand/rock? Was it straight out of the box or was it in an established aquarium? If it already had bacteria on it the cycle may just be ending. GL! __________________ Planning on new tank, been about 5-6 years since I've been in the hobby

05/08/2008, 07:58 PM	#4
rade8em Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 107	I will try the shrimp tomm. should I turn on the skimmer now? or wait for the tank to cycle? __________________ it burns!! it burns!! theres salt in my eye..... Current Tank Info: 29gl& 20 fresh water, 29gl salt water

05/08/2008, 08:15 PM	#5
Mariner Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: North Alabama Posts: 3,952	I don't agree about using the shrimp, especially if your LR was well-cured. IMO, there's no sense in generating a lot of unecessary nitrogen build-up, encouraging hair algae and possibly harming some of the life on your live rock. If it were me, I'd let things ride another week or two, if everything still tests OK, start stocking slowly -- allowing the biofilters in the LR to adjust as needed. HTH, Mariner __________________ DESIGN DEMANDS A DESIGNER. ~The perception is that perception is reality, but the reality is that it isn't. Current Tank Info: 75g mixed reef; 135g mixed reef

05/08/2008, 09:35 PM	#7
rade8em Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 107	thank you very much...I think I will turn the skimmer on and ride it out for another week __________________ it burns!! it burns!! theres salt in my eye..... Current Tank Info: 29gl& 20 fresh water, 29gl salt water

05/08/2008, 07:34 PM	#3
mrbigshot Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: mn Posts: 387	you may not have had enough die off to get the cycle going. the living bacteria on the rock could have converted it quickly as well as if you had live sand. take a small raw shrimp and throw that in there. otherwise use a damsal (everyone says its cruel and not to do it) or use some fish food. i used 3 shrimp and long story short i dont think i ever will again. it will be some frozen food next time.

05/08/2008, 09:42 PM	#8
weluvfish54 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: inland empire Posts: 771	agreed. no need for unecessary ammonia buildup.. just wait it out. thats what sux about salt- nothings instant!

05/08/2008, 09:44 PM	#9
tmz ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: West Seneca NY Posts: 27,691	Patience works wonders when starting up. __________________ Tom Current Tank Info: Tank of the Month , November 2011 : 600gal integrated system: 3 display tanks (120 g, 90g, 89g),several frag/grow out tanks, macroalgae refugia, cryptic zones. 40+ fish, seahorses, sps,lps,leathers, zoanthidae and non photosynthetic corals.