Dry rock cycling with live rock ?

[Littlelife]

Hi
I'm doing a nano with dry rock and sand. It's been 4 days now. Today I've added a live rock with bacteria already established in it to my sump from a healthy running tank. I've already added 2 clownfish and they seem to be ok. I've heard that adding fish while cycling will help to produce ammonia. And im guessing the bacteria from live rock in my sump will help to break down those ammonia to nitrates and so on..
I'm I on the right track ?


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[Sk8r]

No,no. No live fish. It damages them for life. Get them out to a quarantine tank asap. Go to the New to Hobby forum and read the 'stuck' posts atop that forum. That will help you a lot. And ask qiestions, too---happy to help. Welcome to RC!

 

[Timfish]

Live animals really shouldn't be used to cycle a system from scratch. Adding live rock can introduce all the needed bacteria to skip the initial cycle but it should be verified with testing before adding fish. Guessing isn't the best way to proceed and patience is essential for success.

 

[Littlelife]

My bad for adding those clowns[emoji45] clowns are active and eating properly tho. It seems they are very happy. It's been almost 2 weeks now. Today I've tested for ammonia with the Seachem ammonia badge and it shows 0.02ppm. API nitrate shows 0ppm.
I thought I'll see some ammonia and nitrate readings. But I did not. Can any one tell me why is this? I'm thinking because of the live rock with the beneficial bacteria that I've added to my sump[emoji2375]


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[Timfish]

I'd say you were very lucky but you're right, it's the live rock and bacteria that let you get the tank cycled so quickly and saved you from killing your clowns. With properly "cured" or aged live rock and live sand the initial cycling can be skipped but there's such a wide range of quality with live rock it's just not advisable to just throw everything together. I always use fresh maricultured live rock because it's the best source for sponges and endoliths so critical for reef systems. However it has to be quarantined for a month just like everything else. If I threw a few peices in a tank as soon as it arrived it likely would have some dieoff that could kill any fish. Patience and deliberation really are critical for long term success with reef systems

 

[ckaz]

Would keep an eye on your ammonia and nitrites and be ready to a water change should anything go awry, especially having fish in the tank. High ammonia - above 1ppm- can damage their gills permanently.