Cycle is complete, now adding live rock

[Dave Clark]

Hi folks. I have a Fluval Evo 13.5 tank that is now fully cycled. (Have not yet done water change to bring nitrates down.)

Unfortunately I made the mistake of originally using blindingly white (for now) "dead rock" in my tank. After doing some reading, I've decided to remove some of that rock and add 10 pounds of live rock.

Would my bacteria colony be established enough that it will quickly address any die-off of organisms in the live rock? Or should I expect days for another cycle to complete?

Thanks in advance!

 

[dwest]

Hi folks. I have a Fluval Evo 13.5 tank that is now fully cycled. (Have not yet done water change to bring nitrates down.)

Unfortunately I made the mistake of originally using blindingly white (for now) "dead rock" in my tank. After doing some reading, I've decided to remove some of that rock and add 10 pounds of live rock.

Would my bacteria colony be established enough that it will quickly address any die-off of organisms in the live rock? Or should I expect days for another cycle to complete?

Thanks in advance!

I think you did the right thing by adding liverock. Nobody would know for sure if the liverock will cause another cycle because there are too many variables. I would count on one and test for ammonia or just wait a couple months before adding livestock.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Live rock as in from the ocean live rock or live rock as in LFS dry rock that's been sitting in bottled bac for a few weeks?

 

[Cell]

How are you acquiring the live rock? From your LFS or local reefer, none or minimal die off. Shipped in water? Minimal die off. Shipped in paper towels? Moderate potential die off.

 

[Seansea]

Ya ultimatly if you going to lfs with buckets of saltwater to put the live rock in and taki g home like i did then no cycle. Tampa bay salt no cycle. Some stuff ordered online and wrapped in newspaper and shipped big cycle

 

[brandon429]

I am 100% sure if you answer Cell's question he will tell you if this planned setup is a 100% skip cycle no problem approach. swapping out cycled rocks for cycled rocks is 0% problem

I endorse this full rock changeout 100% you just saved a world of extended invasion headache

 

[Dave Clark]

Live rock as in from the ocean live rock or live rock as in LFS dry rock that's been sitting in bottled bac for a few weeks?

Ocean live rock

 

[Dave Clark]

How are you acquiring the live rock? From your LFS or local reefer, none or minimal die off. Shipped in water? Minimal die off. Shipped in paper towels? Moderate potential die off.

From Gulf Live Rock, shipped overnight.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Ocean live rock

Great choice first of all. There might be a little die off but nothing serious. (Some of the sponges and other organisms may or may not make it.) Personally I'd play it safe and just allow a few days to pass before adding livestock even though it's likely not required...i mean what's a few days for peace of mind?

 

[Cell]

Shipped overnight in water or wet paper towels? In water you can potentially go straight into your system, though I'd recommend still QT'ing it and testing just to be safe. In wet towels, you will definitely want to isolate it for a bit. You may want to qt it regardless for pest management though.

 

[Dave Clark]

Great choice first of all. There might be a little die off but nothing serious. (Some of the sponges and other organisms may or may not make it.) Personally I'd play it safe and just allow a few days to pass before adding livestock even though it's likely not required...i mean what's a few days for peace of mind?

Oh yeah, definitely ... I'll make sure all the parameters are right when I add livestock. I was just curious as to what I might expect to happen when I add live rock to a cycled tank. Thanks.

 

[Seansea]

A little spike in some ammonia maybe if there is some die off. But the stuff on the live rock will grow on your dead rock in time. Hope the sponges make it for you cuz there is some cool colors like orange and purple that come on that stuff.