0.8 ammonia high enough to cycle new setup

[RyanN]

New here but I've had reef tanks in the past but this is my first time using dry rock. I kept my live rock when I took my tanks down so that's what I'm using to get the new one started. I order some ammonia and Fritz turbo start about two weeks ago but it has not arrived yet due to the bad weather a couple weeks ago. I suspected I might have some dead sponges and other stuff on my rock where I could not clean it so I figured I'd check the ammonia level and after being setup for 4 days I got a 0.8 reading. I'm wondering if I should just skip adding the ammonia altogether and just add the bacteria? I think .8 might be a little low to get things going well enough? Thanks!

 

[Spare time]

Was your rock kept wet and "live" between your old tanks and your new one?

 

[Jekyl]

The die off from your previous rocks are causing ammonia. When you get your new products add the bacteria. Once you can go from 2ppm ammonia to zero over night you're ready to go

 

[Jekyl]

I would keep testing parameters after your do that first big water change. The unclean rocks may put them through unknown issues.

 

[RyanN]

The die off from your previous rocks are causing ammonia. When you get your new products add the bacteria. Once you can go from 2ppm ammonia to zero over night you're ready to go

So add the bacteria, wait for ammonia to fall then add the ammonia (enough to hit 2ppm)?

 

[Jekyl]

Yup. I have to imagine your rock is going to keep producing some ammonia for the short future.

 

[RyanN]

I would keep testing parameters after your do that first big water change. The unclean rocks may put them through unknown issues.

I checked PO4 today and it's less than .1....I was pretty good at keeping my tanks really clean back when I had them running so hopefully I don't run into to many issues.

 

[Spare time]

If this rock was previously used and then dried, it needs to be cured. If it was kept "live" then that is a completely different issue (and much less of one).

 

[RyanN]

If this rock was previously used and then dried, it needs to be cured. If it was kept "live" then that is a completely different issue (and much less of one).

Got it. Thanks!