Rock Cycle, Need Direction.

[MrMoses]

I am cycling my 72 gallon bow front tank with uncured live rock and my ammonia is super high, 8.0 at least. Should I just let my tank be or should I do a water change to help it along?

I am running a G2 Skimmer in my sump and I do not have a refugium because there is no room in my sump for one I wish I had gotten the bigger sump but I guess I can upgrade later.

I have a pump that is rated for 1200 gph that climbs about 5 feet then splits into two outputs and inside the tank I put a Koralia 4 power head that is suppose to do around 1200 gph. I have done the turkey basting thing.

Do any of you have any advice? Anything I can do to help my tank cycle?

 

[kraze3]

I would do a big water change asap. Do lke 50% and then maybe 20-25% in a few days.

 

[kev24k]

Wait...shouldn't he just sit back and let the tank do its thing while cycling?

 

[s.filipowski]

How much rock do you have? that is very important don't ya think kraz/kev?

 

[MrMoses]

i have about 60 pounds of rock

 

[s.filipowski]

depending on how long you are into the cycle seems important to, I would at least go 2 or 3 weeks, test, and then determine what % needs to be changed. I may still be a newbie, but I read, read, read and am now a reefhead no doubt... good luck!

 

[spleify]

Yes, how far along are you? If it is still early I would let it go and let the natural nitrogen cycle complete, then test again in a week or two and see where you are at.
What kind of test kit are you using also? Have you had anyone else test it for you to confirn your results.

Spleify

 

[Fizz71]

I would wait too. Water changes at this point wouldn't really help a whole lot. Let the bacteria grow and do their job. Any nitrite yet?

I would also decide what else you're going to do about live rock. Unless your rock is super light (very porous) I don't think 60lbs are going to cover a 72g. You don't want to add more uncured live rock to a cycled system so if you're getting more uncured you should get it now or expect to cure it in a tub separate later. If you're planning on getting more later from another reefer that is breaking their tank down (I got all my rock that way..3 different people. )...then don't worry about it.

 

[PRDubois]

Wait till the cycle completes them do a 40% change