Used tap water. Are all the bacteria dead?

[jayman19]

Hello all, so I think I made a mistake and wanted to know what to do next. A few days ago I began to cycle my 29 gallon tank with live sand, dry rock and Dr. Tims. However I used untreated tap water and put the sand and rock in all at the same time. Are all my bacteria dead due to the chlorinated water? And would I have to restart the cycle again? Is the chlorine still in my tank or has it evaporated out at this point. I honestly just got excited to start and didn’t think to treat the water or let it sit. Feeling kind of bummed cause I have been pretty patient overall and trying not to rush anything.

 

[MaxTremors]

It’s likely dead, but it’s impossible to say. I would at the very least add some dechlorinator. You could some more bacteria if you want to, to speed things up, but it will still cycle if you don’t. Personally, I would drain all the water out and replace with RODI saltwater, IME tap water is just too much of an unknown. You need to be careful going forward, if you had fish and corals this kind of mistake could kill all of them.

 

[WVNed]

The chlorine is gone. Your tank is fine. For peace of mind you could add more Dr Tims.

 

[jayman19]

It’s likely dead, but it’s impossible to say. I would at the very least add some dechlorinator. You could some more bacteria if you want to, to speed things up, but it will still cycle if you don’t. Personally, I would drain all the water out and replace with RODI saltwater, IME tap water is just too much of an unknown. You need to be careful going forward, if you had fish and corals this kind of mistake could kill all of them.

Yeah the plan was to do water changes and top offs with rodi water and initially fill with tap water just to help me make it easier. I didn’t think it through at the moment. I’m hoping it can still cycle though since at this point the chlorine should have evaporated out. I’m also planning on taking out some of the tap water and using rodi to replace.

 

[MaxTremors]

Yeah the plan was to do water changes and top offs with rodi water and initially fill with tap water just to help me make it easier. I didn’t think it through at the moment. I’m hoping it can still cycle though since at this point the chlorine should have evaporated out. I’m also planning on taking out some of the tap water and using rodi to replace.

It’ll still cycle, just might take longer. You could add some more bacteria to speed it up, but even without it won’t take longer than 30 days to cycle. Just to be clear though, you filled it with saltwater made from tap water, and not just tap water, correct?

 

[jayman19]

It’ll still cycle, just might take longer. You could add some more bacteria to speed it up, but even without it won’t take longer than 30 days to cycle. Just to be clear though, you filled it with saltwater made from tap water, and not just tap water, correct?

Yes it was reefsalt with tap water. I looked at my area and they use chloramine which I read takes much longer than chlorine to leave water. so I just ordered seachem prime to treat and will get another bottle of dr. Tims tomorrow

 

[131696]

cycle longer no cycle start over get a rodi system you can afford 1 if your in this hobby ,if not you will have a tons of problems and you will stop reefing in 6 months. The hard truth.

 

[jayman19]

cycle longer no cycle start over get a rodi system you can afford 1 if your in this hobby ,if not you will have a tons of problems and you will stop reefing in 6 months. The hard truth.

Yeah i realize. I will be using rodi from here on out for water changes and top offs.

 

[Andresnyc93]

I did this on my first ever reef tank and I ran down the line with serious diatoms and algae issues. +1 on everyone suggesting to always only use RODI because that way you know what’s really in your system.

 

[jayman19]

I did this on my first ever reef tank and I ran down the line with serious diatoms and algae issues. +1 on everyone suggesting to always only use RODI because that way you know what’s really in your system.

Yeah man feels bad. I know I made it harder on myself with that mistake now. This is also my first ever tank. Do you think it’ll still cycle? I’m gonna add seachem prime tomorrow to help the water. Only ro/di from here on out.

 

[Andresnyc93]

Yeah man feels bad. I know I made it harder on myself with that mistake now. This is also my first ever tank. Do you think it’ll still cycle? I’m gonna add seachem prime tomorrow to help the water. Only ro/di from here on out.

Yeah it’ll still cycle, it’ll probably take it a little longer like it did with me. Took about 20 days for a no ammonia test.

 

[Andresnyc93]

I also should mention after the tank ran for 2 days no socks and no type of filtration so bacteria can get all over the place. Then I added a DR Tim’s bacteria and just added stability by seachem so things would get more stable.

 

[131696]

Yeah it’ll still cycle, it’ll probably take it a little longer like it did with me. Took about 20 days for a no ammonia test.

It should be ok and will be OK some people can use tap water ,about 10 years ago a long hair fellow in California was on YouTube using only tap water and prime and his tank was beautiful some can,most can't.he said tank was years and years old also.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

I use tap to start yank. If u added salt and your arms or hands touched the water ur probably cycling yes.
D

 

[jayman19]

Yeah it’ll still cycle, it’ll probably take it a little longer like it did with me. Took about 20 days for a no ammonia test.

Thank you for the info! I really appreciate it. Was definitely feeling worried but I feel the tank can still thrive after all this. Sometimes it definitely feels hard to be patient.

 

[Andresnyc93]

Thank you for the info! I really appreciate it. Was definitely feeling worried but I feel the tank can still thrive after all this. Sometimes it definitely feels hard to be patient.

Best thing I can say to you is be patient with your tank and don’t try to rush too many fish at once, this hobby is money and a lot of patience.