cycling

merman62 · 09/10/2011, 08:10 PM

I had about 200 lbs. Of rock from a reef tank I had to tear down about 5 years ago so it had been stored in a couple plastic containers I put the rock in a big plastic barrel added salt water two large power heads and a couple shrimp well OH MY GOD the smell after about two days my wife wanted to know where was this horrible smell coming from I have done two large water changes and I added 10 pounds of live sand that helped with everything the smell is about gone the ammonia is spiking so hopefully I will start to see the nitrite start to rise don't know if I'm a big fan of the dead shrimp method but it is working just the smell that was so bad glad I did this in the garage not in my house new 150 gallon DSA tank will be here Wednesday. Does anybody think that the ten pounds of live sand sped up the cycle and I will add about 40 pounds of live rock to my rock when I set up my tank I think it will probably go thru another little cycle

organism · 09/10/2011, 08:29 PM

That smell was probably thanks to the dead shrimp, which are going to add a nutrient spike to your system once the ammonia is converted resulting in a really nice sized algae bloom since your rock is going to absorb all the junk they're adding to the water. The live sand sped up the cycle since it was already colonized with bacteria, but get those shrimp out.

merman62 · 09/10/2011, 09:02 PM

Got the shrimp out nothing left but there shells everything else is gone.

organism · 09/10/2011, 10:18 PM

Now it's time to play the waiting game and let everything even out

hollister · 09/10/2011, 10:26 PM

Not to be to rude but its your 2nd start up and you still dont know you dont need the shrimp. Besides i dought all that smell is from the shrimp.

Also i hope you rinsed those rocks real good.

A salt water tank can be very easy or i give the f#$k up hard. Its best to start off right and go step by step for best results.

If you have good water flow from powerheads and no lid on the tank then just let it cycle at this point. It could take 2 or 3 weeks by the sound of the odor you have.

Invest in a good salt water start up book while you wait for the cycle to end and pre plan the whole tank before moving forward.

merman62 · 09/11/2011, 08:20 AM

It has been 5 years since I had anything to do with having a reef tank and so many things have changed however Before I had started with a 75 gallon cycled it with alittle live rock and a few damsels then bought a 90 gallon das
tank then after that bought the 125 but this time is alittle different cause I am reusing so much rock I was not sure if all the dead stuff on the rock would be hard to get rid of I did rinse it very good there. Ill put a few of the pics of my old reef on here and some of the new tank when I get it set up as I read and prepare more things are starting to come back to me you would be surprised what all you can forget.

09/10/2011, 08:10 PM	#1
merman62 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 6	cycling I had about 200 lbs. Of rock from a reef tank I had to tear down about 5 years ago so it had been stored in a couple plastic containers I put the rock in a big plastic barrel added salt water two large power heads and a couple shrimp well OH MY GOD the smell after about two days my wife wanted to know where was this horrible smell coming from I have done two large water changes and I added 10 pounds of live sand that helped with everything the smell is about gone the ammonia is spiking so hopefully I will start to see the nitrite start to rise don't know if I'm a big fan of the dead shrimp method but it is working just the smell that was so bad glad I did this in the garage not in my house new 150 gallon DSA tank will be here Wednesday. Does anybody think that the ten pounds of live sand sped up the cycle and I will add about 40 pounds of live rock to my rock when I set up my tank I think it will probably go thru another little cycle

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09/10/2011, 08:29 PM	#2
organism code monkey Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: south bay Posts: 6,223	That smell was probably thanks to the dead shrimp, which are going to add a nutrient spike to your system once the ammonia is converted resulting in a really nice sized algae bloom since your rock is going to absorb all the junk they're adding to the water. The live sand sped up the cycle since it was already colonized with bacteria, but get those shrimp out.

09/10/2011, 09:02 PM	#3
merman62 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 6	Got the shrimp out nothing left but there shells everything else is gone.

09/10/2011, 10:18 PM	#4
organism code monkey Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: south bay Posts: 6,223	Now it's time to play the waiting game and let everything even out

09/10/2011, 10:26 PM	#5
hollister Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 2,037	Not to be to rude but its your 2nd start up and you still dont know you dont need the shrimp. Besides i dought all that smell is from the shrimp. Also i hope you rinsed those rocks real good. A salt water tank can be very easy or i give the f#$k up hard. Its best to start off right and go step by step for best results. If you have good water flow from powerheads and no lid on the tank then just let it cycle at this point. It could take 2 or 3 weeks by the sound of the odor you have. Invest in a good salt water start up book while you wait for the cycle to end and pre plan the whole tank before moving forward.

09/11/2011, 08:20 AM	#6
merman62 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 6	It has been 5 years since I had anything to do with having a reef tank and so many things have changed however Before I had started with a 75 gallon cycled it with alittle live rock and a few damsels then bought a 90 gallon das tank then after that bought the 125 but this time is alittle different cause I am reusing so much rock I was not sure if all the dead stuff on the rock would be hard to get rid of I did rinse it very good there. Ill put a few of the pics of my old reef on here and some of the new tank when I get it set up as I read and prepare more things are starting to come back to me you would be surprised what all you can forget.