cycling question (skimmer, media, nitrifying bacteria)

[abirozy]

Hello there

I have a 28 gallon JBJ LED with 30 lbs live sand, 30 lbs live rock an inline jbj UV sterilizer and an Aquamaxx HOB-1 protein skimmer. I was sure I was done cycling, my levels all peaked in the order they were supposed to, I had my diatom bloom, etc... I added some additional fish and disaster struck. I added two neon goby's, a yellow wrasse, and an ora fridmani. I figured with my skimmer going I was good to go. I also started adding more nitrifying bacteria because I was told it might be helpful to help the tank catch up with the additional bio-load.

Unfortunately, the additional bio load was too much. After about 3 days, I found my wrasse and fridmani dead, measured my levels and although my ammonia was almost zero, my nitrites were about 40 and my nitrates were as well.

I have learned my lesson, and am only going to add one fish at a time, and only after my levels are all zero or close to, but I have a question on adding the nitrifying bacteria.

QUESTION:

1) If I turn off my UV sterilizer (I have not turned on yet) and turn my skimmer off for at least 4 or 5 hours, will my bacteria still multiply? I will be adding Bacter-7 or possibly one other type of bacteria. Bacter 7 states to turn off the skimmer for 4 hours, the other one only states to turn off uv sterilizer. I just want to make sure I am not shooting myself in the foot if I turn on my skimmer after 5 hours and killing off my nitrifying bacteria or causing them not to spread on my live rock / sand / etc..

2) Same question about my media. I have one of those cut to fit nitrite sponges in the center compartment of my filter and chemo-pure charcoal bag in my last chamber of my media basket. Will these kill off my nitrifying bacteria or cause them not to multiply like they should?

Thanks for all the help with a new aquarist.

Adam

 

[Tahoe61]

If you give the tank a week or two in between additions and do not over feed your system will evolve to handle the bi-product of metabolism of your tank inhabitants. You do not need to turn off your skimmer other than following the directions on the MB7.

In the middle compartment of my JBJ 28 I had sponge on top, chemipure in the middle and pruigen on the bottom. The nitrifying bacteria will colonize all those means of filtration.

To cycle my JBJ I used live rock and stocked slowly. The most I ever added at one time was a pair of clowns. I can not address the use of the UV because I never used one on that particular tank. I did run the skimmer the entire cycle, it did not affect the length of the cycle.

When in doubt water changes are your friend, after the initial cycle is complete.

HTH

 

[TarHeelReefer22]

I wouldn't run my uv anytime while trying to cycle simply b/c it is designed to kill all forms of life esp microbes which you are trying to get to colonize in your tank to complete your cycle. This is the only thing that I see would be counter intuitive

 

[Chalice palace]

When I cycle tanks i keep my sterilizer off and my skimmer off for at least a month helps bacteria spread. Never had problems doing it this wAy. Remember slow and steady wins the race! And make sure you are using Rodi water with a reading of 0 on a Tds meter!

 

[fishroomlady]

I agree in that I would think a uv sterilizer would not be a good thing to run while you are trying to colonize beneficial bacteria. I'm not sure you'll really need it for a reef tank in the long run. JMO