New 40 gallon breeder questions

[ccvfc08]

I recently started a 40 gallon breeder with a 20 gallon sump. I added 40 pounds of live rock as well as 60 lbs of live sand. Everywhere I look I see people saying do this do that to start the cycling process. My local fish store told me to add everything in and just wait. I have noticed my ammonia is starting to go up a little bit since I started it 6 days ago. Should I add anything to it or should I let it run its course?

 

[ccvfc08]

I just did a test, my ammonia is .25, PH is 8.2, nitrite is 0 and nitrate is 0

 

[fishbox]

I'd do what they call ghost feedings. Basically you feed the tank a few small pellets or small pinch of flake food even though you have no fish. This helps fuel the bacteria

 

[ccvfc08]

Okay, I will try that. Should I add a small shrimp?

 

[glb]

Okay, I will try that. Should I add a small shrimp?

Shrimp get pretty gross. I'd just go with the fish food.

 

[ccvfc08]

Okay, I just did the ghost feeding

 

[ccvfc08]

What does the ammonia usually spike too?

 

[glb]

What does the ammonia usually spike too?

It depends on how much food is added and also how effective your live rock is. If there isn't much die-off of organics on the rock, you might not get much of a spike at all.

 

[ccvfc08]

The rock was already cured, it has a ton of stuff already on it

 

[glb]

The rock was already cured, it has a ton of stuff already on it

Then you may have a very short cycle!

 

[ccvfc08]

Thanks for the help!

 

[fishbox]

Just to clarify, this is not a one time feeding. You should feed once per day or two

 

[ccvfc08]

Okay, I will do that. How long should I continue the feeding?

 

[fishbox]

Never lol keep feeding till the cycle is over. Then it'll be time to add live stock. At this point just switch foods to meet your livestock needs.