Cured Live Rock / Water Params

[Charlie97L]

ok, I set up my tank this weekend, and i have a question about the water parameters I'm seeing.

I have this currently... 58 gallon with 20 gallon sump, probably around 70g total, btw. Filled with RO/DI water.

NitrItes 0
NitrAtes 0
Ammonia .25
PH 8.2
SG 1.023

I got 40 lbs of live rock from the LFS that had been curing for about 4 weeks, as well as about 15 lbs from a local guy's tank that had been running for 5 years. I filled it Sunday and put the rock in, tested monday, tues, today, and the params aren't changing. I see some pods that are big enough to see wiggle movement, and some tiny white particulate in the water that may be smaller pods. The water is crystal clear after the sand settled yesterday.

I also have a purple/red mushroom that came out of one of the guy's rocks Monday and is open and today is bigger. Is this a sign my tank is ready to go? I can't believe it would be good to go this quickly. I just need some guidance at this point. Thanks.

 

[kamil5000]

No. Ammonia needs to be zero. Even if the rocks were cured and the other 15 lbs already had nitrifying bacteria on/in them, a new tank will still go through a mini cycle.

After Ammonia ibecomes zero and nitrites are zero, then you are ready.

I would wait a few days and then test again.

 

[kamil5000]

BTW 1.023 salinity is too low for a reef. o.k for FOWLR, but reef needs to be at 1.025-1.026

 

[Charlie97L]

thanks, yeah i know it's a bit low, my hydrometer was off a bit when i did the mix due to it being brand new and the needle not being broken in. i'm adding saltwater as a topoff starting tomorrow.

 

[kamil5000]

Also remember that you will need to adjust hydrometer reading to water tempreature to give you a more precise reading.

 

[Charlie97L]

Yeah I did that! Thanks for the input.