Live Rock Cycling?

Kennedy1 · 08/14/2012, 10:59 PM

I had a bunch of live rock that sat out side in bin that ended up filling up with water. NOTE this was fresh water and rock sat there for about a year and a half.

I started up a new tank about 4 days ago. I put raw shrimp in the tank, setup it up with 2 powerheads (402 & 301) and a heater (80 F), No light. I also put a good bit of completely cured rock from a fully established tank ( up and running for about two and half years)

I haven't check the levels for a couple of days and when I did...

Amonia 0ppm
Nitrite .25ppm
Nitrate 30ppm

can this be right? I have tested with multiple kits and came back the same.

I also put Nutrafish cycle in the tank (as directed on the label), would this be the cause, because most have said it useless and I just figured why not.

Please advise I want this tank to run as smooth as possible since its my first reef.

Thanks
Greg

thegrun · 08/15/2012, 06:52 AM

I'm not sure what the question or problem is, but I'm guessing you are wondering how you ended up with nitrates without ammonia or higher nitrite levels? The answer is stored up nitrates in your rocks (you should also check for phosphates). Several 100% water changes over a period of time will leach much of the stored nitrates out of the rock to help minimize hair algae growth once you start u your tank.

08/14/2012, 10:59 PM	#1
Kennedy1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 104	Live Rock Cycling? I had a bunch of live rock that sat out side in bin that ended up filling up with water. NOTE this was fresh water and rock sat there for about a year and a half. I started up a new tank about 4 days ago. I put raw shrimp in the tank, setup it up with 2 powerheads (402 & 301) and a heater (80 F), No light. I also put a good bit of completely cured rock from a fully established tank ( up and running for about two and half years) I haven't check the levels for a couple of days and when I did... Amonia 0ppm Nitrite .25ppm Nitrate 30ppm can this be right? I have tested with multiple kits and came back the same. I also put Nutrafish cycle in the tank (as directed on the label), would this be the cause, because most have said it useless and I just figured why not. Please advise I want this tank to run as smooth as possible since its my first reef. Thanks Greg

08/15/2012, 06:52 AM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I'm not sure what the question or problem is, but I'm guessing you are wondering how you ended up with nitrates without ammonia or higher nitrite levels? The answer is stored up nitrates in your rocks (you should also check for phosphates). Several 100% water changes over a period of time will leach much of the stored nitrates out of the rock to help minimize hair algae growth once you start u your tank.