Confusion on cycling

[jaycapz]

Hey


So I put 15 lbs of live rock in my 26g SW tank setup a week ago. I also upgraded to an aquaclear 70 a few days ago. I'm seeing all kinds of mixed messages about fishless cycling. I rather not torture damsels to get the job done. What's your taking on using pure ammonia? I bought some as this seemed like the easiest method. I am not sure as to how much and often to add or what to look for. Could use some advice! Be greatly appreciated.

Also with live rock in there about 3 days, small parts of one the live rock has gone from brown to green ish, like its dieing. It's an aqua cultured rock. The other big Fiji Rock still looks nice n purple. This normal this soon?

 

[Convict2161]

Hey

So I put 15 lbs of live rock in my 26g SW tank setup a week ago. I also upgraded to an aquaclear 70 a few days ago. I'm seeing all kinds of mixed messages about fishless cycling. I rather not torture damsels to get the job done. What's your taking on using pure ammonia? I bought some as this seemed like the easiest method. I am not sure as to how much and often to add or what to look for. Could use some advice! Be greatly appreciated.

Also with live rock in there about 3 days, small parts of one the live rock has gone from brown to green ish, like its dieing. It's an aqua cultured rock. The other big Fiji Rock still looks nice n purple. This normal this soon?

Rock is showing signs of die off, that will help cycle the tank. Add a raw shrimp for your ammonia source, sit back, test and watch your cycle.

 

[jaycapz]

Ok. So the Lfs employee totally blew off the idea of cycling. He said just throw in your fish, there's nothing in your tank - blah blah blah. So I choose to ignore the advice cause it seems more trust the cycle and I rather not burn my wallet.

I took a few readings, I'm at two weeks in. Live rock added less than 1 week as stated above.

Nitrates 20 ppm
Nitrates 0
ammonia 0
Ph 7.8

Used API master test. I find the API ammonia test more of an eye check, it looks yellow to me.

This sound right so far?

 

[Bectan01]

Ph looks low, do you have movement in the tank? Aim for 8.0 - 8.2
+1 on adding a raw shrimp to start the cycle...

 

[Riverhawk]

If ur lfs told u dont worry about cycling..imo u need to find another lfs... If they told u wrong once they will again..at possibly ur expense....

 

[jaycapz]

Only movement is the filter flow is right above the live rock. I'm waiting on a powerhead this week.

Can I just throw pure ammonia in there instead? Not to crazy about the shrimp idea.

 

[San Raphael Catfish]

Yes you can use pure Ammonia. Supposedly Ace have it. Something about a shake test on the bottle of Ammonia, no bubbles after shaking it.