New tank set up, quewtions

[Brew12]

I plan on quarantine some of the marine pure from my old set up to this set up, was hoping this rock was going to be enough for these two fish (appears it won't).

I wouldn't give up on this concept yet if it is what you want. You can make up for it by adding something as simple as a bunch of new and clean marine pure balls into your sump. The bacteria you seeded will take hold and multiply if it has the surface area to do so.
There is no reason the live rock has to be in the DT. You just need flow and surface area which you can have plenty of in your sump.

 

[cpschult]

Added two quarts of marine pure spheres to sump. Decided to just buy at lfs. Also added another bottle of instant ocean bio-Spira.

That's three different brands of bacteria I've added; instant ocean bio-spira (twice), Red Sea nitro bac, and aquavitro. Hope the spheres add enough space for the ammonia fixing bacteria to grow.

I wonder if these ammonia issues are from the different strains competing against each other..

 

[Brew12]

Added two quarts of marine pure spheres to sump. Decided to just buy at lfs. Also added another bottle of instant ocean bio-Spira.

That's three different brands of bacteria I've added; instant ocean bio-spira (twice), Red Sea nitro bac, and aquavitro. Hope the spheres add enough space for the ammonia fixing bacteria to grow.

I wonder if these ammonia issues are from the different strains competing against each other..

I doubt it. Eventually, one strain of each will be dominant but they don't have any way to attack each other and there is obviously more than enough food for them all.

I think you will be surprised at your readings in the morning.

 

[cpschult]

Might end up just using prime to lock ammonia up. Really curious what is feeding into the system!

 

[bios]

In my opinion
Bacterias death you have not anaerobic place where they can sattled and do their job.

 

[Brew12]

In my opinion
Bacterias death you have not anaerobic place where they can sattled and do their job.

I think this was a factor initially, but I believe he resolved it yesterday.

Might end up just using prime to lock ammonia up. Really curious what is feeding into the system!

I would advise against that. While it will temporarily lower your ammonia level that will only slow down the rate at which your bacterial grow. Without removing the ammonia source (suspect it is your rock) the ammonia will come right back.

It may be the pictures, but it looks like your nitrates are much higher than they were from your first photo. That is a great sign that you are on your way.

 

[Brew12]

Take a look at this post, it's a bit late but it has a bunch of interesting information and varying opinions.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/w...live-rock-and-then-bring-it-back-alive.86024/

 

[bios]

Hi brew
Agree completely with you
But also think that he has a bacterias explosion in his tank
Since they do not reach equilibrium
he has to wait
I will turn of the light and wait some days

 

[4FordFamily]

Yes I agree with the other posters you shouldn't add fish for long after ammonia shows zero IMO. Ammonia is deadly and it will take more time for the bacteria to increase in population enough to keep up with fish and ammonia is deadly even in very low doses. For the sake of your sanity and your livestock's lives you should wait awhile. I know it's hard as I'm not patient either but cycling is not something you ever want to rush it always shakes out badly.

 

[cpschult]

I read the thread and it's factually incorrect. Rock left outside in rain and weather will clean organic a off just like bleaching, vinegar, etc. it won't work like muratic acid but that's a different story.

Bacteria that decompose organics are everywhere. That combined with rain rinsing the rock and the length of time that they were outside has me skeptical that the ammonia is coming from the rocks.

Also, from my understanding about prime; it will bind ammonia for 24-48 hours but that bound ammonia is in a form that can still be consumed by ammonia fixing bacteria.

 

[cpschult]

http://www.seachem.com/support/forums/forum/general-discussion/1803-prime-questions googled to be sure

 

[Brew12]

I read the thread and it's factually incorrect. Rock left outside in rain and weather will clean organic a off just like bleaching, vinegar, etc. it won't work like muratic acid but that's a different story.

I'll have to disagree with that one. When I get back to the house I can take some pictures of old landscaping bricks I pulled out of my garden that are stacked on concrete. They still have dried moss and other organic material on them even after 2+ years in the sun and rain.

Bacteria that decompose organics are everywhere. That combined with rain rinsing the rock and the length of time that they were outside has me skeptical that the ammonia is coming from the rocks.

They are everywhere, however they tend to go dormant without both food and water and many times require a fairly moderate temperature range. It would be difficult for them to build up a large enough population in a pile of rocks to effectively break down the organics.

Is there something in your tank other than the rock and sand that you feel could be a source for the ammonia? I was under the impression that was all you had in your tank and I feel the sand would be a very unlikely source.

Also, from my understanding about prime; it will bind ammonia for 24-48 hours but that bound ammonia is in a form that can still be consumed by ammonia fixing bacteria.

This is one I didn't realize. Always so much to learn in this hobby!

 

[Lilly45nano]

Can I ask how you are performing the" Nitrate " test? API is notorious for wrong readings....the test must be performed exactly as the instructions say...Both bottles need to be shaken thoroughly prior to using them....add first bottle to the test tube then agitate for 30 seconds...add the second bottle and shake for a minute....no more no less. let it sit per the instructions prior to reading for results.

If you have the ability to bring water to your LFS for testing I would. Good luck

 

[cpschult]

Luckily I have a friend who keeps a sponge in her sump and she was able to give it to me! Will be checking ammonia again in a few hours.

 

[tmac18]

Your nitrates could be from the water your using. R you using ro? If not tap water will have nitrates in it. I know mine does. Only way a fish would survive is to use prime. But thats only an emergency. To me looks like your in the early stage of the cycle. The nitrite will go up then the am will decrease. Then nitrate will come up. If you absolutely have to add the fish, you must use prime. But im not expert. But definitely add more live rock to sump if u want an open tank. Looks very nice tho!!!

 

[cpschult]

Used rodi for set up

 

[cpschult]

Your nitrates could be from the water your using. R you using ro? If not tap water will have nitrates in it. I know mine does. Only way a fish would survive is to use prime. But thats only an emergency. To me looks like your in the early stage of the cycle. The nitrite will go up then the am will decrease. Then nitrate will come up. If you absolutely have to add the fish, you must use prime. But im not expert. But definitely add more live rock to sump if u want an open tank. Looks very nice tho!!!

The two quarts of marine pure balls is supposed to be enough for a 100g tank. Guess we will find out. If the ammonia hasn't dropped by the am I will end up dipping half of my marine pure block from my current tank in prazi and then Bayer and just going into new set up. This is rediculous!

 

[Brew12]

The two quarts of marine pure balls is supposed to be enough for a 100g tank. Guess we will find out. If the ammonia hasn't dropped by the am I will end up dipping half of my marine pure block from my current tank in prazi and then Bayer and just going into new set up. This is rediculous!

As long as your nitrates are still climbing rapidly I'm not sure adding the block from your tank will help much. No reason to risk adding pests to your new tank if at all possible imo. Prazi and Bayer may not kill all of the eggs attached to the block.
If you really need to get fish in immediately, I would at least pull one section of the live rock out of the display, if not both for now. You can add PVC fittings to provide shelter for the fish until the rock is ready to go back in. You have more than enough filter media in your sump to make up for pulling the rock and that should remove your ammonia source allowing your bacteria to catch up. Again this is assuming your nitrates are still climbing fast (showing the bacteria are trying to do their job).

 

[justingraham]

Man U are in a hurry for some reason. Brew has given u everything to do since the beginning and u have hardly listened to him. He has more patience then me(cause HE is retired). I mean u are cycling it is from ur rock. Hey come to my house grab a sponge throw in another bottle of bacteria but ur still going to have ammonia from r rock. I know u are in a rush and everything but if u have this 120 on hand that isn't cycling get a acclimation box and leave the two new fish in that till the new tank cycles. Sit back and relax man the more U keep tinkering with it the longer it is going to take. I hope everything turns out great for u but u have to relax. Slow down u will get there faster

 

[MasterBacon]

The bacteria in a bottle will mess with your test kit. Even though it's bonded and safe your bacterial population hasn't grown enough to remove it. Listen to @Brew12 and drink a brew! Stay Crispy!