takoattack
New member
Greetings all, I'm getting back into the hobby after a 15 year hiatus. I did a 46 bowfront +HOB filter with my dad when I was in high school, this year I got him and myself 32 gallon Biocubes for xmas, and we've started cycling our tanks together and digging deep into the forums.
My tank is 7 days old today.
Day 1 I added 40 lbs of carib sea "live" sand.
Day 2 I added 30lbs of Fiji live rock form my LFS (Aquadome in Austin TX.) The store owner, who seemed to be quite knowledgeable, told me the rock was already cured and didn't need to cycle. It was out of water for 30 minutes before I got it home to my tank.
Day 3 I added half a bottle of BioSpira, at the first indication of ammonia.
Day 5 I started to see some Diatom growth on the rock, which has been getting more and more abundant each day.
Here are my logs using the API test kit.
Date SG Temp Ammonia Nitrite Nitrate pH
1/4/2017 1.025 72 0 0 0 8.4
1/5/2017 1.025 79 0 0 0
1/7/2017 1.026 79 0.025 0 0 7.8
1/8/2017 1.025 77 0 0 0 8
1/9/2017 1.026 78 0.0375 0 0 8.1
1/10/2017 1.025 77.5 0 0 0 8
1/11/2017 1.025 78.5 0 0 0 8
Day2:
Day6:
Day7:
I've read mixed reviews about adding an intentional ammonia spike (ghost feeding, shrimp, or bottled) when using a 100% live rock start. I've seen quite a few starfish, tube worms, and pods in the tank, and I don't want to disrupt this life.
At this point should I add some CuC, or hold out and keep waiting for signs of a cycle? What are your thoughts about "dosing" ammonia with live rock that is full of life?
My tank is 7 days old today.
Day 1 I added 40 lbs of carib sea "live" sand.
Day 2 I added 30lbs of Fiji live rock form my LFS (Aquadome in Austin TX.) The store owner, who seemed to be quite knowledgeable, told me the rock was already cured and didn't need to cycle. It was out of water for 30 minutes before I got it home to my tank.
Day 3 I added half a bottle of BioSpira, at the first indication of ammonia.
Day 5 I started to see some Diatom growth on the rock, which has been getting more and more abundant each day.
Here are my logs using the API test kit.
Date SG Temp Ammonia Nitrite Nitrate pH
1/4/2017 1.025 72 0 0 0 8.4
1/5/2017 1.025 79 0 0 0
1/7/2017 1.026 79 0.025 0 0 7.8
1/8/2017 1.025 77 0 0 0 8
1/9/2017 1.026 78 0.0375 0 0 8.1
1/10/2017 1.025 77.5 0 0 0 8
1/11/2017 1.025 78.5 0 0 0 8
Day2:
Day6:
Day7:
I've read mixed reviews about adding an intentional ammonia spike (ghost feeding, shrimp, or bottled) when using a 100% live rock start. I've seen quite a few starfish, tube worms, and pods in the tank, and I don't want to disrupt this life.
At this point should I add some CuC, or hold out and keep waiting for signs of a cycle? What are your thoughts about "dosing" ammonia with live rock that is full of life?
