jar05g

Hey all. So my tank has been cycling for a couple weeks now. It has been up for a couple weeks as I said...but I just added live rock about two days ago. Everything (nitrates, nitrites, alkalinity) was good...but pH was a little low (about 7.8). Now I've added live rock. I did a water test today and nitrites were high...and my pH was very low...lower than 7.8. I added pH stuff for saltwater that brings it to 8.2 (is that a good pH?) and another chemical to lower my nitrites. Also, the guy at my LFS said that my tank will go from perfect water conditions to really bad water conditions and then it will stable out. Any comments on this? Is what I did right?

Wolfgang8810

well if you dont have any fish right now i would jsut say dont add any chemicals or anything just let it ride out the cycle time. here is a link that explains everything http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm read it and most of your questions should be answered. if there is anyhting else jsut post again

bhcaaron

Wolfgang is right. Read the article first. I've noticed that this is suggested on many thread and the person that asked the original question will come back to ask a second question on the same thread that would have been answered if they read the article first. Do read it first, it helps A LOT! Then come back, as Wolfgang said, with additional questions.

As for what the LFS guy said, well, generally speaking yes, but, there is more. Read the article! (Think I've said it enough times?)

jar05g

Ok...so I read the article...and understand things much better. Thank you wolfgang8810 for that. Another question...when I bought my life rock..I got a tiny slug...someone told me that those are bad and I should take them out...true/false?

Wolfgang8810

i really dont know about saltwater too much. but i think that i would, you should probally wait for someone with more experience to answer that question

bhcaaron

A pic might also help.

jar05g

I would send a picture...but now I can't find the darn thing lol.

bhcaaron

Hahahaha, anything that can... will... right?

jar05g

Yeah lol...oh well. So I'm thinking I'm going to lose my fish. I only have 3 damsels...but ever since I added the live rock...they have been hovering near the bottom and breathing heavily. I guess that's part of my tank cycling.

bhcaaron

Unfortunately its probably the amonia building up. That's why its not suggested that you cycle the tank with fish in there. It is better to cycle the tank FIRST, then add fish cautiously.

You'll want to get help from those who have used chemicals to help the fish out in these circumstances.

jar05g

Any ideas on who would know best about that?

bhcaaron

Nope, sorry. I've read so much they all just jumble together. Try adding another post with a header that will atract those who would know.

jar05g

Good idea. Thanks for all your input!! It's greatly appreciated.

bhcaaron

I feel helpful today!

sgould

How much live rock did you add? Do you know if it was already cured when you bought it? You mention your nitrite readings, but not ammonia...what is your ammonia level now? Live rock goes through a "die off" process after being harvested where some of the organisms living on it die due to stress from transport, differences in water quality, etc. The organisms that die cause an ammonia spike as they begin to decay. Once everything that is going to die has done so and the bacteria have processed the corresponding ammonia/nitrite, then the rock is said to be "cured" and ready for use in your tank. BUT...it is not unheard of for live rock that has already been through the curing process to experience another, smaller, round of "die off" after being transported from a dealer tank to yours. Therefore, you never want to add live rock directly to a tank that already has fish in it. Instead, you should put it in a seperate container of fully prepared saltwater and test the water regularly for ammonia and nitrites. Once you are sure any spikes are over with, then and only then should you put the rock in the display tank with your fish.

Now, your situation. If I am understanding correctly from your post, your tank was not yet finished cycling from your damsels, when the rock went in. So now you are dealing with ammonia being produced by the fish, as well as ammonia potentially being produced by the rock's "die-off". Here is what I would do:

1) At a minimum, do a 50% water change. Read your salt mix's instructions carefully before you do this! Many mixes need to sit for a day or so after preparation to fully "mix" and are caustic if used too soon. You are in a tough spot in that your fish need help right away, but if you just dump a bunch of only partially mixed salt water in with them you will not be helping.

2) If at all possible, remove the live rock into a seperate tub of saltwater and test it regularly until you are sure that it is not contributing to your ammonia.

3) Get your hands on some Prime or Amquel+. I use Prime. Both are water conditioners, which you should be using with every water change anyway, so you will be able to use the stuff even after you are past this crisis. Both products will chemically neutralize a portion of the ammonia and nitrite in the tank with your fish, which will help them past their immediate danger. It will also slow the cycle down a bit, but at this point you are trying to save your fish, and adding a few days onto your cycling time is a small price. They also remove chlorine/chloramine from your tap water, which is why you should be using them for your water changes.

That's all I have right now...I still consider myself a beginner too, so I am hoping some of the others can drop in and offer some advise as well!

jar05g

30 gallon tank, and I added 10 lbs. The guy at my LFS said that that would be plenty because I planned on adding coral in the future. Plus the rocks were quite large. He also said that the rocks were partially cured. So if I understand right...my live rock is still curing and organisms are dying off...which is causing my ammonia to rise, and ammonia then turns in to nitrites. I added Amquel+ last night, but I haven't really seen any changes yet. Later on today my fish were actually swimming up in the tank instead of just staying in one spot on the bottom. I don't have a way to take the live rock out because I have nothing to put it in. I am thinking of doing a water change, but I wasn't sure to do it now...or wait until after the cycle has completed. My water conditions are good now...with the exception of my nitrites. My pH went really low as well, but I added something to bring it to 8.2. So since I can't remove my live rock, the only thing I can do is to keep adding Amquel+ and hope?

agsansoo

Best thing is to wait until the cycle is through. If you don't you will cause a mini-cycle and have to start over again. After the cycle is through then do a water change.

jar05g

Ok...that's what I was thinking was best...but I wanted to make sure before I did anything. They (the fish) seem to be doing better today. It's also dorm water...it's really hard. I've had issues with it in my freshwater tank. My fish are at least eating. I just hope they can make it through this mini-crisis.