BRS Pukani Cycling

[CausticGuy]

I recently purchased BRS Pukani rock ready to fight the good fight against phosphates for a while, cycling it in tubs until the rock was ready. My problem is that it seems like it was too easy :suspicious: My process was as follows. 20% vinegar bath for 3 days with heat at 85 and pumps, rinse and scrub down. Soak for 5 days rinse and scrub. Soak for 8 days, use Sera Phosphate test get between 1 and 2.0 mg/l tested twice. Rinse and soak with weak salt mix, heat, pumps, etc 7 more days, test phosphates get .5 mg/l tested twice. Rinsed and let dry for 3 days while waiting on RODI unit. Moved in to display tank running for 6 days now, fully setup, test phosphates and get .25mg/l no signs for diatoms or algae yet. Dosed bio spira and prodibio biodigest and bioptim on start day, no carbon, gfo or biopellets as of yet. The rock did seem cleaner then some of the older posts have remarked so maybe the rock is cleaner then it was in the past or maybe my test kit is bad? It was brand new from Aquacave and I have always had goodnluck with Sera kits. Thoughts?

 

[duke4130]

I think the rock should be clean but you will not really know until you really start the cycleHave you added any type of ammonia to start the cycle? You are adding bacteria but with no ammonia for the bacteria to consume it will sit in the water column and just die then be extracted by your skimmer as a protein.

 

[ChristopherKriens]

In my experience, the rumors of Pukani rock's phosphate issues are very exaggerated. I'd say it's likely your tests are accurate.

 

[CausticGuy]

Bioptim is food to start bacteria. And, I accidentally dosed the entire vial because the dose and drop thing sucks. It's rated to 250g... The tank was cloudy for a day, then cleared right up. Thanks for the reassurance Chris. I'm thinking that as well.