Cycling A New Saltwater Aquarium

[svirid]

Good day,

After I setup everything my pH was 8.2 and 0 Ammonia,
I started curing live rocks and everything went fine, Ammonia started to raise.
but now a week later my pH drops to 7.8 and Ammonia to 0.
Why does it stop? I had uncured rocks so it must take at least a month, no?

What I did a couple of days ago I setup a new skimmer and canister filter,
canister filter is still using carbon filter (it says in instruction to use for the first 2 weeks)
Could it be the problem? or maybe my rocks are dead? Is it possible?

Thank you very much guys.

 

[Musho3210]

Nitrite levels? Nitrate levels? You could be cycled, you could have gotten some good bacteria full live rock and they just took off with all that food. If so, your one of the lucky ones lol.

 

[svirid]

I did a test again:
Ammonia: 0
Nitrate: 10-12
Nitrite: 5

I got my rocks from one of the supplier close to my home.
Store specializes mostly on Corals and Fish no equipment like bigals.
guy told me that I have to cure them for a month but its been only a week.

I think I will wait week more before I do anything, I think there is not much I can do just wait
Probably Ammonia will start raising again. No?

I don't think I am that lucky Could it be something wrong with my rocks? If yes, how can I see that.

Thanks for your help.

 

[pengy666]

Surely they must smell?

If not then perhaps they are cured?

 

[svirid]

Yes water smells, not very much

 

[Musho3210]

nope, your nitrite is at 5, still cycling

 

[svirid]

Good day,

tested today looks like nothing changed

Nitrate: 5-10 - decrease
Nitrite: 5

How can I detect my my rocks are actually live?
also can u look at the pucture I noticed some pink spots there,
do u know what it is?

http/www.website4realty.com/temp/rock.jpg

Thank you.

 

[svirid]

Hi Guys,

I started to get new things on my rocks, pumps and tank bottom (I dont have sand yet)

http/www.website4realty.com/temp/rock2.jpg
http/www.website4realty.com/temp/rock3.jpg

I was thinking that its detritus but was not sure, can u guys confirm please this for me.

Also my tank water does not go any lower then 82-84F, can I successfully keep tank
on this temperature or I have to buy chiller otherwise fish will not survive?

Thank you guys for all your help.

 

[nanocubeking]

diatom algae. good sign your tank is cylcing. if it gets out of hand you can scrub it with a soft tooth brush.

 

[svirid]

Ok,

Nitrate: 5-10 still the same
Nitrite: drop to 0.25

 

[svirid]

Hi guys,

I think I cured my first rocks

My Nitrate, Nitrite, Ammonia are 0s, Ph - 8.2.

Can I add my Live Sand now?

Also when I do water change every time it becomes muddy, I think its because
some moves away from the rocks. Is that safe for fish? I have to add water more
carefully without touching my rocks with the water flow.

Also here is the stock that I am going to start with

2 Peppermint shrimps
2 Hermit Crabs
3 Star shell snails

Any idea how do I feed them and should I get anything else?

You are great guys, thanks for all your help.

 

[Musho3210]

adding "live" sand will mean you will have to cure the sand as well. Treat live sand as really really low quality live rock.