Live Rock Cycling

[SinkyShippy]

Could someone tell me why my ammonia test is so cloudy?

 

[Retro Reefer]

I believe that is normal on the API ammonia test.

 

[Retro Reefer]

Found a picture of one of my test, looks similar

 

[Deiblerj]

That’s normal with that test kit

 

[brandon429]

Can you post a picture of the type of rock you are cycling

 

[SinkyShippy]

Can you post a picture of the type of rock you are cycling

I am cycling this

 

[brandon429]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-microbiology-of-reef-tank-cycling.214618/

Hey you'll want to see that, for sure it's a 180 different direction than the current cycle approach, you'll like it

I suspect based on initial posts that your group B rock is getting cycled like group A, that article will make your cycle instantly tamed and predictable to where testing isn't even needed but you can if you like. Very handy~

 

[brandon429]

The action to do with that rock is to put it into a clean running tank and wait a few days to make sure no ammonia rises... But it's already cycled/ready per the life forms and pigments shown


The very first pic on left looks like zero ammonia

 

[SinkyShippy]

The action to do with that rock is to put it into a clean running tank and wait a few days to make sure no ammonia rises... But it's already cycled/ready per the life forms and pigments shown

Wait really? I've had it in the bucket for a little over a month now. The picture is right after I bought the rocks from the fish store. They're already cycled because of the pretty pigments?

 

[brandon429]

Yep, and that is two reasons now, the month wait plus showing up already ready, see examples we collected your rock is group B

 

[brandon429]

Even your seemingly group a rock at the bottom has a light green algae layer on the side... algae deposit well after filtration bacteria, ammonia reducers

 

[SinkyShippy]

Yep, and that is two reasons now, the month wait plus showing up already ready, see examples we collected your rock is group B

Interesting. But my test shows that the ammonia isn't zero though right? Wouldn't that indicate that the cycling isn't done?

 

[sde1500]

Interesting. But my test shows that the ammonia isn't zero though right? Wouldn't that indicate that the cycling isn't done?

It isn't the "pretty pigments" that make it cycled as much as it is the rock is already "live". The whole point of the cycle is to take rock and sand and allow it to establish enough bacteria to properly process ammonia and nitrites. With dry dead rock, that takes a while, with live rock from the LFS, if it was actually stored in tanks to cycle, it would be a quick cycle. This is because the rock has had the opportunity to build that bacteria population. Also, API test kits are notorious for false positives of .25 ammonia. I'd get a different test kit to confirm, but I'd guess you are already cycled.

 

[SinkyShippy]

It isn't the "pretty pigments" that make it cycled as much as it is the rock is already "live". The whole point of the cycle is to take rock and sand and allow it to establish enough bacteria to properly process ammonia and nitrites. With dry dead rock, that takes a while, with live rock from the LFS, if it was actually stored in tanks to cycle, it would be a quick cycle. This is because the rock has had the opportunity to build that bacteria population. Also, API test kits are notorious for false positives of .25 ammonia. I'd get a different test kit to confirm, but I'd guess you are already cycled.

Well this is exciting! Woo! What other tests are there?

 

[sde1500]

Well this is exciting! Woo! What other tests are there?

Red sea and Salifert are the most commonly used it seems, other than API.

 

[brandon429]

We show in the thread ways to confirm wo testing, smell test is one way, clouding in the system is another way to confirm, then if those are clear you can just know from the deposits/coralline/pods that came off it simply is ready regardless of what API says we linked ten misread examples as well

 

[SinkyShippy]

We show in the thread ways to confirm wo testing, smell test is one way, clouding in the system is another way to confirm, then if those are clear you can just know from the deposits/coralline/pods that came off it simply is ready regardless of what API says we linked ten misread examples as well

Thanks a ton!

It smells just fine. If you had asked me a few weeks ago, I would have said it reeked lol. No clouding either.