hello

So we got our tank about 6 weeks ago after reading 'saltwater aquariums for dummies' and proceeded to buy most everything from the Petco. We started out with a 30 gallon tank kit with some random substrate, as well as all of 2~3 lbs of live rock, an air pump, a filter, protein skimmer etc . Later an employee at the Petco referred us to a LFS (Aquamart in metro Denver) that seems like they know there stuff. They have two massive tanks, stocked with large amounts of corals etc. We now have about ~21 lbs of live rock, (because of the space it occupies as well as the substrate we have around 22 gallons of water) and have yet to complete a cycle. We have been testing water every single day waiting for things to spike and recording it in a journal. We have done probably two 10% water changes, mainly because that's what the book says to do. I have come to realize that we had insufficient quantities of rock, and not enough bacteria to really convert the ammonia into nitrite etc. We were subsequently sold a bottle of bacteria ($20) to add to help get things up to speed. Other than recommending that we get more live rock and bacteria bottles, the LFS has not tried to sell us anything. Last week I pulled out a plastic plant that had dark brown slimy stuff on it and wiped it completely off, removing all the slime. I want the tank to cycle and the ammonia to drop so we can get some fish. That is basically where we are at right now

I read the newbie forum link and it said to toss a shrimp in there to get the ammonia to spike which will be eaten by the bacteria etc.

What should I do to help this process along ? Should I buy said shrimp and toss it in ?

TIA

 

Welcome to 3 reef! I am not the best person to respond but no one else has chimed in so I will offer my limited advice.(I haven't cycled a tank in 4 years.) I am surprised you haven't already had an ammonia spike. Just adding live rock although it may be "cured" will still have a little bit of die off, that I would think would help the bacteria start to get going. What is your ammonia at and has it just stayed the same? Do you detect nitrites and where are your nitrates? The shrimp thing may get this thing going. I have heard of people just using a little bit of flake food daily to decompose and start the cycle so I am wondering why the live rock isn't getting it done.

 

Welcome to 3reef! Sounds like you are getting off to a fairly decent start. Throw a raw deli shrimp in there and it'll definitely kick start your cycle.
You'll find alot of very helpful people here.

 

Welcome....you came to the right place!!

 

Hello and welcome to 3reef

 

whatever spikes we had were eliminated by water changes, so we may have been starving the tank bacteria by doing so. From the sound of the book I followed this line of reasoning: Ammonia kills fish therefore it is bad, if you have ammonia it is bad and you should change the water.

I realize now we sort of need a good amount to feed the bacteria to get it started.

so far no nitrites or nitrates.

 

Elite Reef
8410 Wadsworth Blvd Unit F
Arvada, Co 80003
Owned and operated by 3Reef member ColoradoReef






For those of you joining us that are new to the hobby - the best piece of advice you'll get around here as a saltwater newbie is 3Reef's slogan
"Go slow, let it grow."
And for those experianced hobbyists joining us - it's still good advice
good luck and post pics soon

 

Elite Reef
8410 Wadsworth Boulevard, Arvada, CO 80003
(720) 379-8076‎
Elite Reef -- Denver Colorado
Hours:
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Welcome to 3 reef , Shepido

Steve