new tank cycling

Discussion in 'New To The Hobby' started by bschroeder, Mar 4, 2013.

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  1. bschroeder

    bschroeder Plankton

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    Have a question regarding the cycle. Our ammonia levels spiked yesterday and the water is cloudy. My concern is the Kenya trees and hammer coral that came with the live rock we bought from a guy on Craigslist. They have been thriving and have even multipled since we got them but last night all the trees were laying on their sides. Will this spike in ammonia and nitrites kill them? I took the hose out that had the shrimp as it was dissolved. Just waiting for levels to go to zero
     
    bschroeder, Mar 4, 2013
    bschroeder, Mar 4, 2013
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  2. Ryan Duchatel

    Ryan Duchatel Millepora

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    Those coral will most likely perish due to the negative effects of a high ammonia concentration and then high nitrate concentration in due course.
     
    Ryan Duchatel, Mar 4, 2013
    Ryan Duchatel, Mar 4, 2013
    #2
  3. bschroeder

    bschroeder Plankton

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    Was afraid of that. Thanks
     
    bschroeder, Mar 4, 2013
    bschroeder, Mar 4, 2013
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  4. Ryan Duchatel

    Ryan Duchatel Millepora

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    You cant really do anything to help though. If you do water changes your ammo/nitrate levels will be lower, but the cycle will persist for longer.

    I suggest just waiting it out and hoping that they come good in the end.

    Sorry mate. Thats why stuff just shouldn't be added until after a cycle (even though in your case the coral came with the rock).
     
    Ryan Duchatel, Mar 4, 2013
    Ryan Duchatel, Mar 4, 2013
    #4
  5. bschroeder

    bschroeder Plankton

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    that's ok, I knew this would happen. I didn't want to take the trees and coral off the rocks as I figured they would die anyway.
     
    bschroeder, Mar 4, 2013
    bschroeder, Mar 4, 2013
    #5
  6. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

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    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    You can "soft cycle", just do small water changes frequently to keep the ammonia level down.

    Some hobbyist buy live uncured rock, it's covered in sponges and algae and some inverts. The only way to preserve that life is so "soft cycle" the tank.

    You can also add products such as MB7 or Dr.Tim's to assist in developing the biological filter through introduction of nutrifying bacteria.
     
    Corailline, Mar 4, 2013
    Corailline, Mar 4, 2013
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  7. cosmo

    cosmo Giant Squid

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    +1 do a decent WC, then add one of those products, and monitor, the cycle will still need a little food to keep going or risk stalling, IIRC.

    or you could pull the corals, and see if a friend or LFS will hold them for you.

    Although, I'm sure another 3reef member will def sell you all the kenya trees you want for shipping costs.
     
    cosmo, Mar 4, 2013
    cosmo, Mar 4, 2013
    #7
  8. dunc101

    dunc101 Flamingo Tongue

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    I will say that the Kenya tree may have a chance of surviving. Those things are very hardy in my experience.
     
    dunc101, Mar 4, 2013
    dunc101, Mar 4, 2013
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  9. bschroeder

    bschroeder Plankton

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    don't think I want to do water change and slow down the cycle. At this point I'm gonna ride it out. Water has cleared , will sit tight and let the cycle finish
     
    bschroeder, Mar 4, 2013
    bschroeder, Mar 4, 2013
    #9