1month into cycling a new tank

I started cycling with some mixed seafood that I had in the fridge for over a year ago. 1 month into cycling and the seafood looks like some kind of jelly as can be seen in the attachment. Should I have started the cycling strictly with cocktail shrimp? Or, should I continue to wait until they completely decompose? I do not have the current water parameters because I am waiting for the test kits to arrive.

 

That is just a bacterial mass from decay. One form of organic matter decay is just as good as another. That particular mess has probably done it's job.

Test and post the parameters when you get the test kits and we'll have a better idea where you stand cycle wise.

All dry base rock?

 

Yeah, I should be getting the test kits early next week.

And yes, dry base rock and dry sand. About 80lbs of rock and 80lbs of sand in a 55gallon tank.

Thanks for the helpful info.

 

I would consider adding in some bacteria supplement for an all dry cycle - I really like microbacter7

 

Update from today
Nitrite level is still high. I think it may be out of the range of my test kit >5ppm. Nitrate ~10ppm. I was hoping to get fish in this weekend, but I guess I gotta wait a few more weeks.

Is there any reason why you recommend adding bacteria supplement other than to speed up the process? I heard good things about bacteria supplement but I don't see any reason why I can't just wait even with dead sand and dead rock.

 

+1

do you have an ammonia test? and did you use ro/di water

that looks like very fine sand btw might be an issue later on if you get a sand shifter, in terms of what is called in the hobby "sand storms"

 

As with most products there is a lot of debate to use or not use. Although bacterial supplement can be useful it is best used during the beginning of cycle to assist with the breakdown of ammonia(in old days alot of people used to cycle with fish so supplement helped breakdown the ammonia quicker and give the fish a fighting chance.. A good LFS would never have you do this). Now a days most people use live rock and sand to kick off the cycle. Since you already have high Nitrite the breakdown of ammonia is already happening(bacteria doing its job) so IMO really not needed at this point.

IMO you can take out the blob of food as it has done the job of starting the cycle.. no need to leave it in.

What are your ammonia levels currently at.. If still very high you could add the supplement to speed up process but seems to me you have been this patient so whats a few more weeks +.

Again this is just my opinion and hold oldfishkeeper opinions in high regard.

 

Thanks all for the helpful comments.

I used ro water (no di filter). I tested for ammonia, but it is close to 0.

Yes, the sand is very fine. My wife loves to have a goby, but I wasn't really thinking it through when I was making a purchase for the sand. I'll still try one and in the worst case I can just return to LFS.

 

The problem with using a blob of something is you put in too much and you stall the cycle. IME it is much better to add a small amount of fish food and let the ammonia come up slowly. Then wait until the bacteria that converts it to nitrate has time to catch up.(it grows slower)People add too much ammonia and it actually becomes toxic to the bacteria that converts it to nitrate. I call it soft cycling and at most it takes 3 weeks.(worst case)

 

Where do you live??City water or well???Have you ever tried to catch a sw fish in an aquarium with rocks in it??Not fun..I would suggest a lot of research before dumping a fish in there.Tell your wife the " I want syndrome" is a sure way to fail and kill things.
Most ammonia test kits are NOT accurate at lower concentrations.