To add or not to add?

sumpfinfishe · 02/13/2014, 12:45 PM

Hi folks, been out of the wet thumb game for awhile so i need to ask a beginner question.
I setup a 33gl two weeks ago, it has a 1" sugar sandbed-not live, roughly 30lbs of dead dry rock, two green chromis-feeding twice daily, i have a koralia 850 circulating and a HOB filter running chemipure and some phosphate filter floss.

The water parameters:
SG-1.023
PH-8.0
ALK-10
Nitrite-1.0
Ammonia-1.0
Nitrate-0

My question is even tho the tank is still cycling can I add 15lbs of live rock during the cycle, and if so will it do more to speed up or slow down the cycle?
Thanks

packman90 · 02/13/2014, 12:59 PM

you can add the live rock, but you may see a spike (slowdown) of your cycle.

Mattewell · 02/13/2014, 01:00 PM

For future reference, you may want to spell out nitrite and nitrate, at first I thought you were talking about "Nickel" and "Sodium".

If you get live rock that is cured (as in there is not a large amount of dying critters left on it) then the additional bacteria on the rock should help to cycle your tank.

sumpfinfishe · 02/13/2014, 01:08 PM

Ok so it will speed up or slow down the cycle?, and yes the LR will be cured and covered in coraline which i guess will die off due to the on going cycle?

Reef Frog · 02/13/2014, 01:21 PM

At only 2 weeks into the game your tank is no where near cycled yet. Your two fish are in danger and should be housed elsewhere until your cycle is complete.

You can then add your live rock to the display tank, then test for ammonia, nitrite & nitrate and monitor your cycle's progress. It takes several weeks in most cases although there are more advanced methods to speed things up.

Whatever methid you use, when ammonia & nitrates are undetectable you should see only nitrates. At this time you could do a water change & then it's time to add a fish. This is a short version but there is more to it.

I suggest you read up on possible leaching of nutrients from some dry rock and methods to expel them and see if doing this procedure is right for you. The time invested can pay big dividends later in the form of growth of pest algae. Good luck.

eatbreakfast · 02/13/2014, 01:52 PM

If the 15lbs of live rock you add are cured and you only have the 2 fish, than the curing time will be significantly shortened because the bacteria on 15 lbs of live rock should be more than enough to handle what those two fish produce.

Uncle Salty 05 · 02/13/2014, 02:20 PM

Adding the live rock now will prolong but strengthen your cycle.
After the tank finishes cycling (approx. 4 weeks from when LR is added) you will have a greater number of nitrifying bacteria than if you waited for the tank to cyle as it is.
If you wait to add it, you have another mini cycle and wind up where you will be if you add the rock now and cycle only once.

sumpfinfishe · 02/13/2014, 02:29 PM

ok great, thanks for the reply's

02/13/2014, 12:45 PM	#1
sumpfinfishe Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 120	To add or not to add? Hi folks, been out of the wet thumb game for awhile so i need to ask a beginner question. I setup a 33gl two weeks ago, it has a 1" sugar sandbed-not live, roughly 30lbs of dead dry rock, two green chromis-feeding twice daily, i have a koralia 850 circulating and a HOB filter running chemipure and some phosphate filter floss. The water parameters: SG-1.023 PH-8.0 ALK-10 Nitrite-1.0 Ammonia-1.0 Nitrate-0 My question is even tho the tank is still cycling can I add 15lbs of live rock during the cycle, and if so will it do more to speed up or slow down the cycle? Thanks __________________ cheers, Rich http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/may2005/aquarium.html Current Tank Info: 33gl long 48" rocks! Last edited by sumpfinfishe; 02/13/2014 at 01:04 PM.

02/13/2014, 01:08 PM	#4
sumpfinfishe Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 120	Ok so it will speed up or slow down the cycle?, and yes the LR will be cured and covered in coraline which i guess will die off due to the on going cycle? __________________ cheers, Rich http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/may2005/aquarium.html Current Tank Info: 33gl long 48" rocks!

02/13/2014, 02:20 PM	#7
Uncle Salty 05 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,799	Adding the live rock now will prolong but strengthen your cycle. After the tank finishes cycling (approx. 4 weeks from when LR is added) you will have a greater number of nitrifying bacteria than if you waited for the tank to cyle as it is. If you wait to add it, you have another mini cycle and wind up where you will be if you add the rock now and cycle only once. __________________ In all that I endure, of one thing I am sure. Knowledge and reason, change like the season. A jester's promenade. - Kerry Livgren Current Tank Info: 180 gal reef tank with dual attached refugiums 20 long and 10 gallon. Plus 55 gallon True Percula breeding tank.

02/13/2014, 02:29 PM	#8
sumpfinfishe Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 120	ok great, thanks for the reply's __________________ cheers, Rich http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/may2005/aquarium.html Current Tank Info: 33gl long 48" rocks!

02/13/2014, 12:59 PM	#2
packman90 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 99	you can add the live rock, but you may see a spike (slowdown) of your cycle.

02/13/2014, 01:00 PM	#3
Mattewell Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Rochester,Mn Posts: 308	For future reference, you may want to spell out nitrite and nitrate, at first I thought you were talking about "Nickel" and "Sodium". If you get live rock that is cured (as in there is not a large amount of dying critters left on it) then the additional bacteria on the rock should help to cycle your tank.

02/13/2014, 01:21 PM	#5
Reef Frog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,121	At only 2 weeks into the game your tank is no where near cycled yet. Your two fish are in danger and should be housed elsewhere until your cycle is complete. You can then add your live rock to the display tank, then test for ammonia, nitrite & nitrate and monitor your cycle's progress. It takes several weeks in most cases although there are more advanced methods to speed things up. Whatever methid you use, when ammonia & nitrates are undetectable you should see only nitrates. At this time you could do a water change & then it's time to add a fish. This is a short version but there is more to it. I suggest you read up on possible leaching of nutrients from some dry rock and methods to expel them and see if doing this procedure is right for you. The time invested can pay big dividends later in the form of growth of pest algae. Good luck.

02/13/2014, 01:52 PM	#6
eatbreakfast Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: seymour, ct Posts: 1,636	If the 15lbs of live rock you add are cured and you only have the 2 fish, than the curing time will be significantly shortened because the bacteria on 15 lbs of live rock should be more than enough to handle what those two fish produce.