Cycling a new tank ?

[Sweetreef21]

Got a new 20 gallon long cycling with a piece of shrimp day 3. Very high ammonia level, should i leave the shrimp in longer or pull it? Also using carib sea life rock

 

[MarshallB]

Have you measured any nitrite or nitrates yet? I'm not sure at what levels ammonia becomes toxic to the bacteria. IMO i'd pull it out till you start measuring some nitrates that way you are not just bulding up mass ammonia.

 

[iamacat]

You can take it out. Once you hit 2ppm that’s what bottle bac uses to feed their bacteria.

 

[Sweetreef21]

Nothing so far for nitrite or nitrates

 

[Screwgunner]

I am at 2 ammonia with a piece of talopia at 7 days still no nitrites.

 

[Kinjirra]

Need to put some bottle bacteria in there....the way your cycling is out of date and will take forever.

 

[Sweetreef21]

Alright i removed the shrimp. This life rock claims to have spored bacteria that should be enough dont you think?

 

[Kinjirra]

Its dormant bacteria...it may wake up but meh...bottle bac is live and awake cultures...I used Dr. Tims one and only.

 

[iamacat]

Alright i removed the shrimp. This life rock claims to have spored bacteria that should be enough dont you think?

Spored is different than active. I would get a bottle bac of your choosing ASAP to get the cycle started and finished in a couple days

 

[MarshallB]

Alright i removed the shrimp. This life rock claims to have spored bacteria that should be enough dont you think?

Bacteria will grow regardless. How much you start with determines how long it will take. If you want to speed things up you can buy a bottle. Or you can just wait, it will cycle eventually.

 

[Sweetreef21]

Dam alright. Well dont think im going to get my hands on any soon if i have get it shipped.

 

[Kinjirra]

Dam alright. Well dont think im going to get my hands on any soon if i have get it shipped.

most LFS that deal with saltwater should have some onhand honestly...I would be suspect of one that didnt

 

[Kinjirra]

a small piece of rock out of one of their tanks or even some water(not to the same degree) would help.

 

[MnFish1]

@brandon429

 

[Sweetreef21]

I grabbed a few small pieces of live rock and seed bacteria by auqavitro. Are my ammonia levels to high for the beneficial bacteria to survive?

 

[Kinjirra]

I dont think so....you could do a water change to bring it down or dose seachem prime...I would do the water change myself...maybe 25% of volume..I think...someone with more knowledge on that part should advise I think

 

[Sweetreef21]

I did a same water change. Brought it down a little then added the live rock. Hopefully that will do it.