Advise!!! I have high Po4 2days into cycle

[chris669]

Tank is on 2nd day off cycle so i thought i would test the water with ammonia and po4 just to see what is happening before and after.
My po4 was very high im guessing this is because i have put in dead (live rock) and didn't acid bath etc.
I tested with api and sera kit then i tested some fresh made up saltwater so it is def from the tank/rock/sand!!
Should i remove and treat the rock or get a po4 remover in canister filter??
Ps 1st two pics are tank water last pic is freshly made saltwater

 

[Diesel]

Oops...........
So you did set dry rock straight in your tank without rinsing or curing it?
If there is nothing in your tank you should remove it and at least rinse it with a garden hose very good and than set it in a trash can with salt water for a few days maybe a week.
Have with your LR a strong pump for water circulation.
Mean while you an cycle your tank further without out the rock.
Note: when you set you rock back you'll go to a new cycle but at least without the PO4 spike you have now.
Did you use any cycle method like "DR Tim one and only" or the "dead shrimp style"?
Not sure about your setup but do you have a sump or skimmer?

 

[Russ265]

use new substrate. imo they are bigger offenders than old lr at those levels of po4.

diesal's advice is sound, but keep in mind. diluting po4 is rough.

if it was me, i would employ his tactic of curing LR in a bucket with a powerhead but i would get phosguard in a sock and drop it in to soak it up. otherwise equiliberium between the rock and the water will be reached and po4 goes nowhere.

 

[ebushrow]

are you using RODI water?...just thought I would check 1st

 

[chris669]

I washed the rock in ro/di water and yes im using ro/di water.
Im using a shrimp to kickstart cycle.
No skimmer but getting one in 2weeks!!
My plan was to cycle the rock separate but someone told me to put it in the tank and i listened to them
No sump
live rock,canister and soon to have skimmer

 

[chefjpaul]

All honesty, since its so new, I personally would just take it all out and give it an muric acid wash.

Even a vinegar bath and rodi rinse and dry.

It will save you some headache later.

 

[Diesel]

Skimmer is a must before you put the rock back into your tank.

 

[chris669]

Ok i will do both of the above,i thought there was no point in running a skimmer until cycle completed?

 

[Diesel]

Ok i will do both of the above,i thought there was no point in running a skimmer until cycle completed?

Well, you partly right but in your case it will help to get some of the if not a whole lot of phosphate out of your water column.

 

[chris669]

Well i took the rock out of the tank got new live rock for the tank.
Im currently soaking the old rock in vinegar as i want to use some of it.
Do i need to put baking soda to neuatralise the acid or just take it out power wash it soak it in ro/di water.
Then i will cure it in tub with a piece of live rock.
Sound ok?

 

[Diesel]

Was your new rock Live rock or dry live rock?
You can acid soak for a few hours and rinse your rock with the hose and let it dry in the sun.
After that put it back in your tank but keep a close eye on Amonia and nitrite.
Both need to be zero and than you can start testing for PO4 and No3.
If you use Dr Tim one and only you can cycle your tank with in 5 days but still be carful with putting in fish and corals.
Understand it's a new system cycled or not you need to build up slowly.

 

[chris669]

Dry live rock
Im using vinegar and water mix
Should i leave it a few days in the mix?

 

[chris669]

Ahh sorry my new live rock was wet and its in my tank
My old rock was dry but i will add it after testing the water
Still weeks away from wanting any stock

 

[Diesel]

Dry live rock
Im using vinegar and water mix
Should i leave it a few days in the mix?

Not sure what vinegar is doing to new dry rock.
We all know it will soften up calcium as we know the coralline algae.
New dry rock I always cleaned with a little Muriatic Acid and than rinsing with the pressure of the hose. (Not Power Washing), than let it dry in the sun, this all takes just a two maybe three day, depends on how hot your sun is as we are in TX and yesterday we still had 98F high.

 

[chris669]

I was going to power wash it
Bad idea?

 

[chefjpaul]

Vinegar works as the muriatic acid, just very weak compared to.

Don't need power wash, just rinse & let it dry.
I did the vinegar bath very strong like 90%. And let it soak for almost a full day.

No issues of Po4 after, but did have prior too.

 

[Diesel]

Correct I wouldn't wash it with power.
I had my rock which was old and new dry rock all soaking in MA for 4 hours, after that I rinsed it good and let it dry in the sun (don't need sun block).
After a day or three in the sun I dumped it in a trash can with salt water and had it run with a strong 2000 gallon pump for two day prior to let it free in my tank.
Cycled with Dr Tim One and Only and five days later I had my first fish, it was just a yellow tail blue damsel as I like them a lot.
He's best friends with my Bandit right now, LOL.
Btw, I cycled my tank with only a skimmer and return pump of course but no lights even I had that Damsel in there.