Dry rock curing or cycling?

[Hallowhead]

I am unsure if my rocks are currently curing or cycling.. I have added dry fiji rock from Marine Depot on Wednesday 4/3/19 into my innovative marine 30 Gallon Long. The rocks were delivered incredibly clean and smelled good no pungent smells. Just a small hint of salt water.

I added them to the tank Wednesday night with water, substrate, skimmer, filtration & marine pure. I also added two small pieces of live rock from my brothers tank which are fully alive & cured.

Upon checking the levels today here is what I found:

Should I be doing a water change at this point to remove some of the levels? Do I add my bio-spira now? Or just let it sit for a week?

 

[James M]

Your tank is cycling. Curing is a different process which usually occurs in a bucket or bin.

https://m.liveaquaria.com/article/209/?aid=209

 

[Hallowhead]

Your tank is cycling. Curing is a different process which usually occurs in a bucket or bin.

https://m.liveaquaria.com/article/209/?aid=209

I decided since it was a new build to cure my dry rock in my tank. So I guess the rock was cured enough or cured already.

Should I kill filters and add biospira?

 

[MnFish1]

I decided since it was a new build to cure my dry rock in my tank. So I guess the rock was cured enough or cured already.

Should I kill filters and add biospira?

You can add biospira - or any other product. Why would you kill your filters?

 

[Hallowhead]

You can add biospira - or any other product. Why would you kill your filters?

I was told that the filters will than filter out the bacteria ? Should I wait till the levels come down a little before adding it ? Or is it good to go?

 

[MnFish1]

You can add biospira - or any other product. Why would you kill your filters?

PS - have you been feeding - or something else - to cause the ammonia to increase - or is it only based on whatever was 'on the rocks'. I supposed it could be from the rocks from your brothers tank - were they out of water for any length of time?

 

[MnFish1]

I was told that the filters will than filter out the bacteria ? Should I wait till the levels come down a little before adding it ? Or is it good to go?

Seems like its good to go - I don't use those test kits - im assuming the 'green' one was ammonia? If so - you can add bacteria. Im just surprised that your ammonia is that high - unless you added some kind of ammonia or ammonia producer (like some fish, fish food)

 

[MnFish1]

Seems like its good to go - I don't use those test kits - im assuming the 'green' one was ammonia? If so - you can add bacteria. Im just surprised that your ammonia is that high - unless you added some kind of ammonia or ammonia producer (like some fish, fish food)

Sorry - about the filters - you should leave running whatever filters you will be using in the tank - except look at the instructions on what ever product you choose - some suggest stopping skimming for the first several day.... But it depends on the product. There is no reason to change your other filters unless the instructions say to do so. IME

 

[Hallowhead]

Sorry - about the filters - you should leave running whatever filters you will be using in the tank - except look at the instructions on what ever product you choose - some suggest stopping skimming for the first several day.... But it depends on the product. There is no reason to change your other filters unless the instructions say to do so. IME

I have not added anything other than marine pure blocks and those two pieces of live rock from my brothers tank they're probably 1/4 pound each. They were out of water for 8 minutes max. Drive from his house to mine. Green was ammonia - what testers do you use ?

 

[MnFish1]

I don’t test ammonia

 

[Hallowhead]

I don’t test ammonia

Never?? How do you know when your parameters are bad? When stuff starts dying?

Either way Biospira will be added tonight.

 

[MnFish1]

Never?? How do you know when your parameters are bad? When stuff starts dying?

Either way Biospira will be added tonight.

Stuff doesn't die. Look up the @Lasse method of starting a tank. In fact - I just tested for the first time in a month - my parameters - Alk was 8, Ca 500, PO4 slightly >0. Nitrate 10. Mg 1350

 

[MnFish1]

Stuff doesn't die. Look up the @Lasse method of starting a tank. In fact - I just tested for the first time in a month - my parameters - Alk was 8, Ca 500, PO4 slightly >0. Nitrate 10. Mg 1350

BTW - if stuff did start to die - I would be testing - but not ammonia

 

[RIreefGuy]

Once a tank is fully cycled most ppl dont test ammonia or nitrite regularly. Most ppl just test calcium alk and magnesium (and possibly nitrate) That being said, I still do them just because I'm a geek and like playing with test tubes lol

 

[RIreefGuy]

I do agree that ammonia seems really high for what u described. I would have to assume that you had die off on the live rock from your bro. Can u describe how u transported it? Just seems strange to me.

 

[cracker]

I think your tank is doing fine . Just need to wait it out . Please consider keeping the filters going .

 

[Hallowhead]

I do agree that ammonia seems really high for what u described. I would have to assume that you had die off on the live rock from your bro. Can u describe how u transported it? Just seems strange to me.

Took it out of the tank into a plastic tubtubberw and 8 minutes later it was in my tank !! I'll probably test stuff monthly once it's going. I added biospira tonight. Maybe my dry rock had some die off?

 

[Hallowhead]

I think your tank is doing fine . Just need to wait it out . Please consider keeping the filters going .

I kept filters going just turned off protein skimmer as directions indicated

 

[RIreefGuy]

Took it out of the tank into a plastic tubtubberw and 8 minutes later it was in my tank !! I'll probably test stuff monthly once it's going. I added biospira tonight. Maybe my dry rock had some die off?

That would be my guess. Sounds like u are on the right track tho. Keep testing and watch for that ammonia to come down and go from nitrite to nitrate etc. If it were me, once the ammonia zeros I would dose it back up using dr Tim's and confirm that it zeros out again in 24hrs or less. Once you see that do a quick water change you should be in good shape. Btw I have the IM 20. Love their tanks.

 

[Hallowhead]

That would be my guess. Sounds like u are on the right track tho. Keep testing and watch for that ammonia to come down and go from nitrite to nitrate etc. If it were me, once the ammonia zeros I would dose it back up using dr Tim's and confirm that it zeros out again in 24hrs or less. Once you see that do a quick water change you should be in good shape. Btw I have the IM 20. Love their tanks.

That sounds like a solid plan. So once the ammonia drops I'll be on my way to my first fish ! I was looking at upgrading to an SR-80 already lol