Live Rock Issues And Questions

[Blake]

Hey guys,

- Bought some live rock off a guy closing his tank (obviously cycled rock, 80lbs)
- Added some store bought rock as well (mixed the two, 20lbs)
- Tank has been cycling a week, lights off, with a new sand bed added
- Starting to see the typical fuzz and fur develop on the rock
- Refugium is set up in the sump

Im assuming the die off from the rock will fire the ammonia cycle/nitrogen cycle? Or should I be adding more fish food/shrimp to allow for better decomposition?

Do I add chaeto? Or only introduce it to the refuge as/or if the nitrates rise?

Do I light my refugium during the cycle or afterwards?

Appreciate the input,

Blake

 

[AdInfinitum]

A tank seeded with that much rock from a running system (assuming it was) won't see much of a cycle at all and shouldn't have too much die off. Rock from a live system will be fully populated with nitrobacter that will start to die back without a food source.

Throw in the chaeto...fire up the lights.

As I say assuming it was rock from a running system all you'll do by continuing to wait is diminish the cultures in the rock.

Let the stocking begin...slowly and monitored of course....

 

[Blake]

- Baby brittle sea stars present on the glass
- Capepods are evident (red in colour)
- Sponges are there as well
- Small feather dusters emerging

My confusion lies solely in new water, cycled rock, when do I finish the cycle? Turn on the lights?
Only bc everything is a little miss-mashish lol.

 

[Blake]

It might very well be serpent sea stars, either way they're evident.

 

[reeferkeeper420]

If it was from an already running system it should be fine, like rob said. Water holds little to no beneficial bacteria. And the addition of 20pds of new rock wont matter. I went from a 46 to a 75, and at least dbled my rock with new dry rock, and had no losses.

 

[Blake]

Thanks for the advice guys.

Added a few green chromis, fired up the lights, and chaeto to follow this week (barring nitrate tests).

Appreciate the help!