Part 1 cycling question

[g8gxp]

So I picked up part 1 of the package from Richard today. By the way, I'm tampa local so i picked up in person and Richard was great. very informative, told me step by step what I should do and expect with part 1.

One question i had was this: He recommends water changes as the ammonia level goes up, as the sponges and other things start die-off. I went to go pick up an ammonia kit at the LFS and the guy there told me that when he is cycling a new tank he actually does not do water changes. He says that by letting the ammonia spike then die down (similarly with the nitrites and nitrates) it promotes faster bacteria colonization.

Is there any merit to this? I don't have any fish or coral yet, so would the ammonia be that detrimental?

thanks,

 

[starsbravo]

I believe Richard recommends this so as to prevent more die off on your rock. Sure, you can let the ammonia spike and not do water changes. I dont know if it will go down on its own, but if I spent money to have rock look as live as it is in the ocean, then I would surely do the water changes, just to prevent the live rock from "dying"

 

[liverock]

Re: Part 1 cycling question

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13284601#post13284601 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by g8gxp
So I picked up part 1 of the package from Richard today. By the way, I'm tampa local so i picked up in person and Richard was great. very informative, told me step by step what I should do and expect with part 1.

One question i had was this: He recommends water changes as the ammonia level goes up, as the sponges and other things start die-off. I went to go pick up an ammonia kit at the LFS and the guy there told me that when he is cycling a new tank he actually does not do water changes. He says that by letting the ammonia spike then die down (similarly with the nitrites and nitrates) it promotes faster bacteria colonization.

Is there any merit to this? I don't have any fish or coral yet, so would the ammonia be that detrimental?

thanks,

Remember....you have real live rock full of life.....not rock that has been out of the water for two months before you receive it, as Fiji boat rock is, and must be "cured", or a better term is "brought back to life"

It is imperative to keep the ammonia under 1ppm....or the life on the rock will stress and die. This is real live rock and must be treated that way.

Fiji rock is rock that you toss into a tank and cook, as it is a must procedure to bring it back to life.

Your rock is alive now, and if you want to keep it that way, keep on top of the ammonia.

The way you treat the LFS rock and mine are totally two different animals!

Sea Ya
Richard TBS:rollface: :rollface: :rollface:

 

[g8gxp]

Thanks! One thing I've found with this newfound hobby is that there are SO many differing opinions.

The tank looks awesome right now with just the rock in it. I waited till lights out and then jumped on the tank with a flashlight to see if there were any isopods. I didn't see any, so if they are present either they weren't out yet or they move a heck of a lot faster than I thought.

On the other hand I saw a whole bunch of colorful feather dusters opening up, a tiny starfish, and a whole bunch of other things on the rock opening and closing. it'll take me a year just to identify the stuff on the rock! Crazy!!

I plan on letting it sit for a couple of days and then aquascaping on Friday. need to chase down that gorilla crab I saw when putting them in the tank as well.

 

[liverock]

True!

True!

"Thanks! One thing I've found with this newfound hobby is that there are SO many differing opinions."

Soooo true.....especially when not many folks have experience with my rock, they are used to imported rock which is a totally differant game!

sea ya
Richard TBS
:rollface: :rollface: :rollface:

 

[figuerres]

Re: True!

Re: True!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13288616#post13288616 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by liverock
"Thanks! One thing I've found with this newfound hobby is that there are SO many differing opinions."

Soooo true.....especially when not many folks have experience with my rock, they are used to imported rock which is a totally differant game!

sea ya
Richard TBS
:rollface: :rollface: :rollface:

QFT: how very true, when you say "Live Rock" to most folks they are not picturing TBS Rock....

 

[Drunes]

Re: True!

Re: True!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13288616#post13288616 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by liverock
"Thanks! One thing I've found with this newfound hobby is that there are SO many differing opinions."

Soooo true.....especially when not many folks have experience with my rock, they are used to imported rock which is a totally differant game!

sea ya
Richard TBS
:rollface: :rollface: :rollface:

Once you have had TBS rock you will not look at LFS rock the same way again unless you need a piece for the the rock garden in your lawn.

TBS rock is great stuff.

Though must admit I do cheat Richard's system a little by cycling the tank before I order. :lol:

It is just a personal preferance since it tends to shorten the cycle time and I am testing all the equipment is working last thing I want is a controller going out in the middle of package 1.