Stupid question time

[BryanCaruso]

Ok I have never started a reef tank with dry dead base rock before. It was always live and then wait the 4 weeks etc. So with this newer way adding these so called "instant cycling" products. I used startsmart how do you really know if ammonia, and nitrite don't spike. I guess nitrates will go up? Assuming the product does what it is intended to do. I am not in a hurry because I know for the overall success down the line patience is the key. I was just wondering thats all

 

[kegogut]

Ive always used smart start and LR to start my systems so Im not sure. I would test Ammonia,No2,No3 and Po4 over the course of the next couple weeks and go from there.

 

[Blue spot]

It's been a while , but I started with base rock and dr tims, I had to wait a couple of days and then pop a fish in to start feeding the bacteria. No casualties and worked fine .

 

[BryanCaruso]

Well I'm not just popping a fish in after only 2 days

 

[WiDataTech]

You can ghost feed the tank fish food, drop in a piece of raw shrimp, or purchase and dose ammonia directly. Test and monitor.

 

[BryanCaruso]

Yes I am familiar with those methods but will just wait it out a few days

 

[IBroughtPopcorn]

I also used SmartStart and enough ammonia chloride to bring my ammonia to 4 ppm. I put those in 1-2 weeks ago. My ammonia was at 4 ppm two days ago and this morning ammonia is at 1. Two days ago I took a water sample to the LFS and it turns out my Ammonia and Nitrite tests where not accurate. Long story short the LFS recommended not buying the large kit and save money by buying just the ammonia and to bring in another sample when my Ammonia is 0. The part I am confused with is my Nitrate is 100 two days ago it was about 75. So I don't know if I should do a water change now or not. Or wait till Ammonia and Nitrate is zero before a 150 gallon water change.


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[Nanook]

If your measuring nitrite, your nitrate test will be incorrect.

 

[IBroughtPopcorn]

If your measuring nitrite, your nitrate test will be incorrect.

I am using a new salifert Nitrate kit for Nitrate. I don't have a reliable mans to test for nitrite currently.


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[Pife]

I also used SmartStart and enough ammonia chloride to bring my ammonia to 4 ppm. I put those in 1-2 weeks ago. My ammonia was at 4 ppm two days ago and this morning ammonia is at 1. Two days ago I took a water sample to the LFS and it turns out my Ammonia and Nitrite tests where not accurate. Long story short the LFS recommended not buying the large kit and save money by buying just the ammonia and to bring in another sample when my Ammonia is 0. The part I am confused with is my Nitrate is 100 two days ago it was about 75. So I don't know if I should do a water change now or not. Or wait till Ammonia and Nitrate is zero before a 150 gallon water change.


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This is why I won't use smart start again. I too had the unbelievably high nitrates and had to do tons of water changes and carbon dosing just to get then down.

 

[IBroughtPopcorn]

If your measuring nitrite, your nitrate test will be incorrect.

I reread your statement, now I understand. So i assume I should wait on the water change.


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[Nanook]

I reread your statement, now I understand. So i assume I should wait on the water change.


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Yes. If you are measuring nitrite and it's positive, then your nitrate will read high.

 

[Nanook]

I'd get a nitrite kit, then just let it cycle out.

 

[BryanCaruso]

So far all mine ammonia trite and trates are zero after a whole bottle of smart start

 

[IBroughtPopcorn]

I believe the startsmart requires the ammonia to do its thing. I think that's why they say put in a fish at the same time. However, I am like you and didn't want to put a fish through that, so I went to seascape and got a bag of ammonia chloride. Not long after, the ammonia started reading on my old kit that didn't work right. The day I took the water sample in is when I realized I needed a new test kit, my Ammonia was at .5 using my old kit. The store tested and it was 4. I believe you need some sort of ammonia. I think ghost feeding might be a good start. But I am here asking questions just like you are, so I am not the best source of information


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[IBroughtPopcorn]

I'd get a nitrite kit, then just let it cycle out.

Will do. I am really trying to get this tank ready to bring home frags from the swap. I think that's not going to happen. I guess I will have to put whatever I get into the little tank for a while.


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[BryanCaruso]

Yeah I am going to try to make the frag swap. Still have. A month

 

[BryanCaruso]

Well I watched a YouTube interview with dr. Tim and whoever said that the bacteria in a bottle bottle needs ammonia source is correct. That's why they put the bottle and a fish in at the same time. I did have those five pounds of live rubble I got but that is prolly not going to cut it. Since I don't have much time today I threw a pinch of flake food in the tank. But I don't really want to do that. Then in my research several funny threads about peeing in the tank. I'll pass on that one

 

[kegogut]

Go get a damsel.

 

[BryanCaruso]

I am good on that. I did that 10 years ago fish was so mean had to tear down all the aquascaping just to catch it never again. I don't even remember what kind it was but a nice yellow color changed to ugly brown as a adult and mean!