Cycling frag tank...

Discussion in 'Water Chemistry' started by Don_v, Mar 9, 2011.

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  1. Don_v

    Don_v Fire Worm

    Joined:
    Jan 19, 2011
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    Location:
    Hanford, CA
    Ordered a bunch of rock from reefcleaners, some to add to my tank and some to put in the sump of my new frag tank.

    Anyways, while I'm waiting for it to come, today I think, last week I went to the Lfs and 2 pieces of cured Rock to start the cycle and got raw shrimp from the grocery store..

    Put the shrimp in and after 4 days it looks like this...

    [​IMG]

    There is like a dome around it.. Bacteria I'm guessing.. I'm not seeing any spike in ammonia after almost 5 days now. Does this mean there is sufficient bacteria in the cured rock already? I'm going to test the other levels right now but so far 0 ammonia.


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    Don_v, Mar 9, 2011
    Don_v, Mar 9, 2011
    #1

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  2. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    Yes bacterial, feasting and decaying ewwww! Are you seeing any nitrites or nitrates? if so you may have missed the ammonia spike and the cured LR is already doing it's job, not unheard of but not an indicator that the tank is anywhere near cycled, just able to handle the current bio-load or decay of organic matter.
     
    Corailline, Mar 9, 2011
    Corailline, Mar 9, 2011
    #2
  3. Don_v

    Don_v Fire Worm

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    Jan 19, 2011
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    Location:
    Hanford, CA
    Ammonia looks to be at .25 right now, so it seems the cycle has begun.


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    Don_v, Mar 9, 2011
    Don_v, Mar 9, 2011
    #3