Stabilization and detritus eaters

CloruroDiSodio · 04/27/2009, 05:42 AM

Hi gang,

We added live rock to our 180 gal 5 days ago and haven't seen any ammonia yet. Everything seems to be stable, our pH dropped a little at the beginning but is holding steady now. I have noticed a lot of detritus build up from the live rocks. I've been turkey basting them and sweeping the particles out with a fine mesh net. I'd like to get some snails to help take care of the detritus.
Two questions. 1: How long should I wait to add any additional life to the tank before we know the ammonia levels are ok? 2: Which snails are the best for detritus?

thanks

turretdr · 04/27/2009, 06:32 AM

How long had the live rock been out of water? What are your nitrite and nitrate levels. If the rock was cured there may not be a normal cycle.

CloruroDiSodio · 04/27/2009, 06:50 AM

Hi turretdr, the live rock was only out of the water for about 20 - 30 minutes. I've been checking ammonia and planned on checking for nitrates tonight when I got home. Checking for nitrites is a good idea, maybe we'll do that as well. What if all three levels are zero (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate), could we assume all is well or it hasn't happened yet?

thegrun · 04/27/2009, 06:56 AM

I would guess the cycle hasn't started yet, especially if you are seeing debris falling off the rocks. You need to wait until the ammonia spikes and then drops before you add snails or anything else living. You can siphon out any debris that may be accumulating.

CloruroDiSodio · 04/27/2009, 08:28 AM

Hi thegrun,

I did a small water change (about 10 gallons) a few days ago to remove some of it. On my normal schedule (once tank is cycled) I plan on doing 10-15% per week. During the cycle period should I change the water change volume or period between changes? I wasn't sure if you could change too much water or too little water therefore "hurting" the cycle.

imcosmokramer · 04/27/2009, 11:39 AM

How do you have detritus in your tank with just rock?

My Build Thread

CloruroDiSodio · 04/27/2009, 11:42 AM

It's some dying matter that is just flaking off of the live rock. We have some skimmate as well in the skimmer

04/27/2009, 05:42 AM	#1
CloruroDiSodio Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New York Posts: 597	Stabilization and detritus eaters Hi gang, We added live rock to our 180 gal 5 days ago and haven't seen any ammonia yet. Everything seems to be stable, our pH dropped a little at the beginning but is holding steady now. I have noticed a lot of detritus build up from the live rocks. I've been turkey basting them and sweeping the particles out with a fine mesh net. I'd like to get some snails to help take care of the detritus. Two questions. 1: How long should I wait to add any additional life to the tank before we know the ammonia levels are ok? 2: Which snails are the best for detritus? thanks

04/27/2009, 06:32 AM	#2
turretdr I want to play a game Join Date: May 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 296	How long had the live rock been out of water? What are your nitrite and nitrate levels. If the rock was cured there may not be a normal cycle. __________________ NO REGRETS.Every decision we make is based on current knowledge. NO REGRETS.

04/27/2009, 11:39 AM	#6
imcosmokramer Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 1,709	How do you have detritus in your tank with just rock? My Build Thread __________________ You can agree with me, or you can be wrong. You pick.

04/27/2009, 06:50 AM	#3
CloruroDiSodio Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New York Posts: 597	Hi turretdr, the live rock was only out of the water for about 20 - 30 minutes. I've been checking ammonia and planned on checking for nitrates tonight when I got home. Checking for nitrites is a good idea, maybe we'll do that as well. What if all three levels are zero (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate), could we assume all is well or it hasn't happened yet?

04/27/2009, 06:56 AM	#4
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I would guess the cycle hasn't started yet, especially if you are seeing debris falling off the rocks. You need to wait until the ammonia spikes and then drops before you add snails or anything else living. You can siphon out any debris that may be accumulating.

04/27/2009, 08:28 AM	#5
CloruroDiSodio Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New York Posts: 597	Hi thegrun, I did a small water change (about 10 gallons) a few days ago to remove some of it. On my normal schedule (once tank is cycled) I plan on doing 10-15% per week. During the cycle period should I change the water change volume or period between changes? I wasn't sure if you could change too much water or too little water therefore "hurting" the cycle.

04/27/2009, 11:42 AM	#7
CloruroDiSodio Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New York Posts: 597	It's some dying matter that is just flaking off of the live rock. We have some skimmate as well in the skimmer