New tank cycling week 6

[uscstaylor]

Ok guys
I want to the store and purchased 16 lbs of Fiji and aqua cultured live rock from Petco today and got home did the drip acclimation for 2 hours then added it to my tank. Here's a couple of pics. Now I'm going to wait until next week to do a 50 % water change and then retest my levels to see what they are. Does this sound right boys?

 

[Budman's Corals]

Nice.... Whats it @ now...Your Param

 

[uscstaylor]

Not sure cause I just added them today I wanted to give it till tomorrow morning and test when I wake up. I'll post them by tomorrow afternoon is that OK?

 

[Budman's Corals]

Not sure cause I just added them today I wanted to give it till tomorrow morning and test when I wake up. I'll post them by tomorrow afternoon is that OK?

NO THATS NOT OK!!!!!!!!!!

I want to know them NOW..

JK yeah always good to know where ya start.

 

[uscstaylor]

Ok guys
I woke up this morning and tested the water right away, being excited that I added the 16 lbs of live rock I couldn't wait to see the beginning results. Man was I shocked to see how fast the levels started dropping. In my earlier post a couple of days ago my levels were still fairly high, but this morning all of my levels dropped quit a bit. So here are my readings now for 08/08/13.

Sal 1.023, Temp 76.2, PH 7,8 (added a little buffer), Ammo .25 ppm, NO2 .25 ppm, NO3 10 ppm.

To me this live rock has worked wonders in just under 24 hours. Now I'm giving it another week and I'll do a 50 percent water change then re-test perimeters again and watch and test for few days after that to see if levels will stay at 0.

What do guys think am I on the right track?

 

[glb]

Yes! The ammonia is probably die-off from the new live rock. Once that has happened, you should see zero ammonia and zero nitrites soon. IMHO, the nitrates should be 10ppm or less before you add anything. You can lower it with a water change if needed. Good luck!

 

[Mufasa31]

Once your numbers drop to zero (ammonia/nitrite) you could add a few green/blue chromis. They are fairly hardy, cheap and do not get that agressive (like damsels).

 

[Palting]

Don't chase your pH while cycling, especially not with buffer. It will fluctuate based on time of day, phase of the moon, whether you've gone to the bathroom or not..................

 

[uscstaylor]

Don't chase your pH while cycling, especially not with buffer. It will fluctuate based on time of day, phase of the moon, whether you've gone to the bathroom or not..................

That's funny I didn't know that the PH would fluctuate like that. Good to know. So I'm on the right track and I'll report back to this thread next week. Thank you all very much for your input it gives me the confidence to move forward in this awesome lifestyle of ours
I feel better knowing that others have gone through this lengthy process like I am. Salute!

 

[glb]

That's funny I didn't know that the PH would fluctuate like that. Good to know. So I'm on the right track and I'll report back to this thread next week. Thank you all very much for your input it gives me the confidence to move forward in this awesome lifestyle of ours
I feel better knowing that others have gone through this lengthy process like I am. Salute!

My ph fluctuates about .3 everyday depending on how long the lights are on. It's normal as long as it's consistent and the alk is ok.

 

[uscstaylor]

Cool good to know, thanks

 

[uscstaylor]

Quick question here guys. When I'm ready to do the water change and the tank is ready for some fish should I clean out the filter bags in my sump or leave them be?

 

[glb]

You can gently clean them in the dirty tank water you've just removed. Using that water will keep the beneficial bacteria on the filter media. I do that once a week when I change the water.

 

[Palting]

What bags in the sump? Are you talking about the bags containing chemical media like GAC? You do not want those to go biologic, you want your biological processing to be limited to the rocks as much as possible. Much like filter socks and other mechanical filters, these bags need to be rinsed or washed regularly to remove detritus as well as remove any biological capacity.

 

[glb]

What bags in the sump? Are you talking about the bags containing chemical media like GAC? You do not want those to go biologic, you want your biological processing to be limited to the rocks as much as possible. Much like filter socks and other mechanical filters, these bags need to be rinsed or washed regularly to remove detritus as well as remove any biological capacity.

I know you don't want them to get dirty and become nitrate factories, but don't they develop some beneficial bacteria anyway by being in the tank? Just curious.

 

[Palting]

You want the biologic process to take place in the rocks for better nitrate processing. I rinse all my mechanical filters in HOT tap water weekly, and my GAC bags monthly with each GAC change.

 

[uscstaylor]

I have the proflex pro 2 sump filter that has 2sock s in it. I will give them a light cleaning tonight when I get home from work. What is the best way to clean them?

 

[uscstaylor]

What's GAC stand for just curious?

 

[Palting]

GAC = Granular/Granulated Activated Carbon. Somewhat controversial if you need it or not in a marine tank, but consensus is that you do.

Like I said, I usually rinse my mechanical filters, like socks, in hot tap water. Some run them through washers and use bleach, but not my preference.

 

[uscstaylor]

I did the same with my 2 socks. I washed them in warm water and rang them out then put them back in the sump. I'm going to take readings in the morning and post them tomorrow afternoon. Thank for the info man.