Some Pics Of my TBS Rock on Day #4

[HowardW]

This rock went into the tank on Monday night, caught 1 mantis so far and am working on the 2nd guy now. I'm trying the bottle trap method for now, but I have a feeling I'm gonna have to just remove that piece and flush him out. The ammonia has only reached .40 so far, and I've also been adding a capful of Seachems 'Stability' bacteria each day to assist with the cycling.

 

[RunnerFL]

Howard, what test kit are you using to test for Ammonia? Just curious as I find myself questioning my results.

After my first shipment of rock my tank shot to 1.0 within a couple of days. I'm finding mine to be slightly over 1.0 each morning and each evening when I get home from work.

 

[HowardW]

I'm using the Seachem test kits for ammonia, PH and Alk, and everything else. I also have that little Seachem ammonia alert detector in the tank. Perhaps the Stability bacteria I've been using everyday is kicking in to keep the ammonia levels from going higher so far.

 

[RunnerFL]

That could very well be.

I'm hoping mine is about to start ending it's cycle, I'm dyin to get the rest of my rock and critters. lol

 

[Grand Wazoo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7033636#post7033636 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RunnerFL
That could very well be.

I'm hoping mine is about to start ending it's cycle, I'm dyin to get the rest of my rock and critters. lol

Runner--be patient. The ammonia will skyrocket then fall completely to zero--the entire cycle took me 17 days.

 

[HowardW]

Runner & Wazoo,

Take a look at the 3rd pic down (side view), see that larger lighter colored rock in the front?.......that was the rock I pulled out to flush out that 1st big mantis shrimp, and I think I may have killed off some stuff on the rock due its lighter color and different appearance. The 2nd mantis is hiding in that other large rock in the rear left with the purple on it.

I'm really hesitant to pull that other rock out because it's the nicest one in the tank with tons of life and I don't want to kill off anything with the cold water and turkey baster method. Did you guys also pull your rocks out to get rid of your mantis, and did you notice any die off on the rock since or the rock turning white?? thanks.

 

[Ikaria]

I was fortunate that I already had rock in my tank. My ammonia hit 0 after 5 days. Never went above .25. I did do 2 water changes on the first and third days.

HowardW, I would just try to trap that mantis. I took all my rock and critters in one shipment, and didn't want dead hermits and snails. That's why I was in a hurry to get my mantis' out.

 

[Grand Wazoo]

Howard,

My one Mantis was in the sand and water left in the bag after I took my rock out--It was an easy catch.

I haven't taken my rock out of the tank since it went in, and no, nothing is turning white.

I still have 2 Gorilla Crabs that I am trying to nab. But they aren't doing any damage that I can see yet.

And today for the first time I am seeing a Porcelin Crab hiding between rocks. They are good crabs...

 

[RunnerFL]

I took my rock out but haven't noticed any die off on it, in fact it has new growth.

 

[RunnerFL]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7033688#post7033688 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Grand Wazoo
Runner--be patient. The ammonia will skyrocket then fall completely to zero--the entire cycle took me 17 days.

Oh yeah, it's not a question of patience I realize it will take a while. Was just questioning my numbers.

Seems like all the LFS in my area are geared more towards freshwater, which comes in handy if I need something for my cichlid tanks, and they aren't very well stocked on things for saltwater so coming across the best test kit isn't going to be easy. lol

 

[Grand Wazoo]

Get them online--everthing I have, less the tank, was purchased online,

 

[RunnerFL]

Yeah, prior to getting my rock I got everything from online. I was just checking LFS's to get a second test kit to compare to the first.

 

[Grand Wazoo]

Found this thing wondering around too...