cycling - is this possible?

Discussion in 'New To The Hobby' started by JJK, Apr 30, 2009.

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  1. JJK

    JJK Teardrop Maxima Clam

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    Hi folks.

    I just started cycling my tank with live rock about 8 days ago. The live rock was listed as "uncured" by the LFS - it was sitting in a vat of saltwater, covered in detritus. So it was either fully uncured, or perhaps partially cured. I kept my rocks (about 100 lb) in a vat of saltwater in my basement for 1 day, then scrubbed them and put them in my tank (which also has about 20 lb live sand).

    This morning I tested for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. The ammonia and nitrite were both pretty much zero, with the nitrates at about 2.5. How is this possible? I am fairly certain it takes longer than 8 days to cycle, even with partially cured live rock. By the way, I am using RO/DI water.

    Any thoughts?
     
    JJK, Apr 30, 2009
    JJK, Apr 30, 2009
    #1

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  2. connemark

    connemark Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    The rock was probably already cured from sitting in the saltwater for so long. My LFS uses their live rock bin as part of the bio filtration. So you might have gotten lucky and experienced a small cycle
     
    connemark, Apr 30, 2009
    connemark, Apr 30, 2009
    #2
  3. Popopzer

    Popopzer Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    Your tank may have not even cycled yet................It takes time
     
    Popopzer, Apr 30, 2009
    Popopzer, Apr 30, 2009
    #3
  4. JJK

    JJK Teardrop Maxima Clam

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    So either my tank is cycling abnormally fast (seems unlikely), or else hasn't started yet, in spite of over 100 lb uncured live rock being in it. Do you think I should put a piece of fish (food-type fish) or something in the tank to generate nitrates as it decomposes?
     
    JJK, Apr 30, 2009
    JJK, Apr 30, 2009
    #4
  5. sostoudt

    sostoudt Giant Squid

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    i would the rock is probably fairly clean. when stuff decomposes it generates ammonia and then that goes up the nitrogen cycle.


    live rock should already have bacteria for ammonia, nitrites, and some nitrate removing bacteria when it comes into your tank, its only a matter of waiting until it balances out.
     
    sostoudt, Apr 30, 2009
    sostoudt, Apr 30, 2009
    #5
  6. nctinter

    nctinter Skunk Shrimp

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    Keep checking the nitrates daily. They should be going up if it is in that part of the cycle. You could be at this stage at 8 days but is unlikely. The rock is definitely giving it a boost though
     
    nctinter, Apr 30, 2009
    nctinter, Apr 30, 2009
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  7. Bunner

    Bunner Bubble Tip Anemone

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    patience is a virtue! i would just wait it out. it may be possible to cycle in 8 days. but i would say not likely
     
    Bunner, Apr 30, 2009
    Bunner, Apr 30, 2009
    #7
  8. Whisky Tango Foxtrot

    Whisky Tango Foxtrot Skunk Shrimp

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    Just make sure you have something to spark that cycle... raw shrimp does wonders
     
    Whisky Tango Foxtrot, Apr 30, 2009
    Whisky Tango Foxtrot, Apr 30, 2009
    #8
  9. PharmrJohn

    PharmrJohn The Dude

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    Or you could put in one yellow-tail damsel. You are still about a month out......
     
    PharmrJohn, Apr 30, 2009
    PharmrJohn, Apr 30, 2009
    #9