Seeding a dry rock cycle

Potatohead · 04/26/2016, 09:55 PM

I have a 36 gallon which has about 45 lbs of dry rock and Caribsea live sand (1"). The rock is Marco rock from what I understand has never been in the ocean so I there isn't any dead decaying matter on it. With freshwater I always just dosed ammonia up to 2 ppm and went from there. Can I do the same thing with saltwater or is it better to toss a few pellets in or something? I also have some Stability to help.

Also should I run my skimmer or not?

Thanks

Aero175 · 04/26/2016, 10:21 PM

You can do the same thing you do with your freshwater. Just dose the ammonia up to 2ppm, and start testing the water. Make sure you keep adding the 2ppm until it processes all the way to nitrate in less than 24 hours.

Dmorty217 · 04/27/2016, 06:51 AM

You will need to add bacteria to get the cycle to occur. I use Startsmart every time I setup a new tank (just did it with my 625g) and for QTs and Tank Transfer Method. Cycles the tank instantly

thegrun · 04/27/2016, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aero175

You can do the same thing you do with your freshwater. Just dose the ammonia up to 2ppm, and start testing the water. Make sure you keep adding the 2ppm until it processes all the way to nitrate in less than 24 hours.

Aero is correct in stating that you can add ammonia up to the 2ppm level (be sure the ammonia does not contain perfumes or surfactants), but DO NOT continue to add ammonia, doing so will only leave you with unnecessarily high nitrates at the end of the cycle and likely prolong the cycle. One dose of ammonia is all you need. If you really have to know, you can make a second dosage of ammonia once the cycle is complete (ammonia and nitrites drop to zero) in which case the ammonia should drop back to zero overnight, but the second dosage is really completely unnecessary. Some are under the false impression you need to continue to feed the bacteria, this is not correct, they will live for a year or more without food (ammonia). You can add bacteria if you want to speed things up, but the bacteria is airborne and will start all on its own without any additions, it just takes longer (4-5 weeks typically).

Potatohead · 04/27/2016, 01:51 PM

I know how to cycle a tank, just wondering if the salt water was the same as fresh. Typically when I have seen ammonia being consumed I have continued to add ammonia, but at a much lower rate (about 1/4 - 1/3 dose of the original, every two days). Once I see that added ammonia being consumed within 24 hours, it's good to go. Nitrates don't really concern me because I do a 100% water change when done.

thegrun · 04/27/2016, 05:53 PM

Do not continue to dose ammonia, once and done. You need to wait for both the ammonia and nitrites to drop to zero.

bat21 · 04/27/2016, 09:28 PM

No need to run your skimmer. Some people add bacteria to a dry rock cycle to get it jumpstarted. I did, though my cycle still took 6 weeks. But it's basically the same thing as freshwater, just remember to add salt.

Highweigh · 04/27/2016, 10:55 PM

I like to run my skimmers without the collection cup during the cycle so it can get a nice slime coat built up and be ready to skim once the cycle is done

Potatohead · 04/28/2016, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Highweigh

I like to run my skimmers without the collection cup during the cycle so it can get a nice slime coat built up and be ready to skim once the cycle is done

That's what I have been doing actually, I'm finding it hard to dial in, it's either too low then you tweak it like 1 degree and it's too high lol, but I figured it's just breaking in so I ran it a little on the high side and took the cup off

gallegos · 04/28/2016, 11:05 AM

I never dose anything when I'm cycling rock. If you do don't dose ammonia. You don't want it to leach later on. I usually add a small I've rock to really ramp up the cycle. You can add biospira or seachem stability to help rush the process but I say let it be. Slow and steady makes the best live rock

fernalfer · 04/28/2016, 02:07 PM

do you guys find that after pouring in the nitrifying bacteria that it smells pretty bad. Wondering when the smell will go away.

Potatohead · 04/28/2016, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernalfer

do you guys find that after pouring in the nitrifying bacteria that it smells pretty bad. Wondering when the smell will go away.

It can get funky once the bacteria gets going, throw some carbon in the sump

04/26/2016, 09:55 PM	#1
Potatohead Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Vancouver Posts: 1,596	Seeding a dry rock cycle I have a 36 gallon which has about 45 lbs of dry rock and Caribsea live sand (1"). The rock is Marco rock from what I understand has never been in the ocean so I there isn't any dead decaying matter on it. With freshwater I always just dosed ammonia up to 2 ppm and went from there. Can I do the same thing with saltwater or is it better to toss a few pellets in or something? I also have some Stability to help. Also should I run my skimmer or not? Thanks

04/26/2016, 10:21 PM	#2
Aero175 Registered Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 59	You can do the same thing you do with your freshwater. Just dose the ammonia up to 2ppm, and start testing the water. Make sure you keep adding the 2ppm until it processes all the way to nitrate in less than 24 hours. __________________ Current Tank Info: 90g w/30g sump/NYOS 160 Skimmer/2 MP40QD/Vectra M1/2 AI Hydra 52 LEDs

04/27/2016, 06:51 AM	#3
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	You will need to add bacteria to get the cycle to occur. I use Startsmart every time I setup a new tank (just did it with my 625g) and for QTs and Tank Transfer Method. Cycles the tank instantly __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

04/27/2016, 09:28 PM	#7
bat21 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 701	No need to run your skimmer. Some people add bacteria to a dry rock cycle to get it jumpstarted. I did, though my cycle still took 6 weeks. But it's basically the same thing as freshwater, just remember to add salt. __________________ --- Current Tank Info: 65g fowlr

04/27/2016, 01:51 PM	#5
Potatohead Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Vancouver Posts: 1,596	I know how to cycle a tank, just wondering if the salt water was the same as fresh. Typically when I have seen ammonia being consumed I have continued to add ammonia, but at a much lower rate (about 1/4 - 1/3 dose of the original, every two days). Once I see that added ammonia being consumed within 24 hours, it's good to go. Nitrates don't really concern me because I do a 100% water change when done.

04/27/2016, 05:53 PM	#6
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Do not continue to dose ammonia, once and done. You need to wait for both the ammonia and nitrites to drop to zero.

04/27/2016, 10:55 PM	#8
Highweigh Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 85	I like to run my skimmers without the collection cup during the cycle so it can get a nice slime coat built up and be ready to skim once the cycle is done

04/28/2016, 11:05 AM	#10
gallegos Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Rio Rancho New Mexico Posts: 162	I never dose anything when I'm cycling rock. If you do don't dose ammonia. You don't want it to leach later on. I usually add a small I've rock to really ramp up the cycle. You can add biospira or seachem stability to help rush the process but I say let it be. Slow and steady makes the best live rock

04/28/2016, 02:07 PM	#11
fernalfer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 553	do you guys find that after pouring in the nitrifying bacteria that it smells pretty bad. Wondering when the smell will go away.