New tank bacteria ?

TinyWood · Feb 21, 2020

So I have my bacteria stuff ready to go one video i watched he did not add it to he added fish, right now alls I have is my rock just kinda watching my levels do I add it now does it hurt or help... rock was bought live from the shop rock tank so I figure maybe some hitchhikers no clue

ScottR · Feb 21, 2020

If true live rock, it should have enough nitrifying bacteria to start your nitrogen cycle. I highly recommend looking into the nitrogen cycle if you’re not sure. You should at the very least be testing for ammonia and nitrite. I always start my cycle with live rock and a bacteria like MicroBacter 7.

TinyWood · Feb 21, 2020

I'm trying to make to make sure I understand the nitrogen stuff I really am

ScottR · Feb 21, 2020

TinyWood said:
I'm trying to make to make sure I understand the nitrogen stuff I really am

I’ll give it to you in a nutshell.
nitrifying bacteria break down ammonia (fish poop) into nitrites and then nitrites into nitrates. Ammonia and nitrites are toxic to fish but nitrates aren’t really a problem if in low numbers. I think the nitrogen cycle is the easiest thing to do in this hobby. Putting in a good bottled bacteria will kickstart the cycle and you could slowly start to add fish, don’t add too many at one time. Since you already have live rock, there should be a good source of food for the bacteria to eat and multiply.

Daddy-o · Feb 21, 2020

Nitrites are really bad, while nitrates are food for coral
Cheers! Mark

ScottR · Feb 21, 2020

I highly recommend putting together a fish list of fish you want. Research about them and add them in slowly. Putting in an aggressive fish like a dottyback or a damsel in first may make other fish additions difficult, especially in a smaller tank. Take it slow at first. I’ve seen people go buy 10 different types of fish and throw them all in and one fish bullied all the others to death.