Fishless cycle - ammonia - live rock

[OscarFan76]

Hi. I have a 55 gallon with a small live rock about 10 lbs and about 40 lbs of base rock in my tank. I'm seeing trace amounts of ammonia (0.25-0.5) from the die off of the live rock. It has been in the tank a week and a half. There are zero nitrites.

Should I dose with pure ammonia like I did my fresh tanks or will it kill off my live rock?

Thanks.

 

[AquaRick]

Go ahead and dose with pure ammonia (about 2.5ml per 10g water i think). You need to add an ammonia source to your cycle; the die-off from your base rock is generally not enough.

 

[Sniperhank]

Since you did this with a tank already, this might be preaching to the choir. Make sure you don't over dose the tank. I did it to mine...total disaster and it has taken over a month to cycle...still going.

 

[AquaRick]

You can always do a pwc if you overdose.

 

[OscarFan76]

Thanks for the info. Adding ammonia tonight.

 

[OscarFan76]

I assume I should shoot for 4 ppm. I will start with 2 ppm and up it when someone says it is ok to do 4.

Thanks again.

 

[AquaRick]

I went with 4ppm and no problems. Live sand, 90% Base rock, 10% live rock; tank was cycled in 3 weeks.

 

[OscarFan76]

You guys rock! Thanks for the help.