So i got a 90 Gallon tank and put live rock, about 175lbs which i got from someones tank and 80 lbs of reef live sand from my LFS. Its been running for about 3 weeks and i have not seen any changes in ammonia or nitrites. I was told that i would need fish to start the cycle but also that the live rock and live sand would do the job as well. Is there something that i am missing here. Any help is appreciated.
Starting () gallon reef tank
- Thread starter sucio186
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You need something to kick start the ammonia. Just having LR & sand won't do anything for the cycling process. Some people add a hardy fish or two to start the cycle... The waste from the fish will start the ammonia. Personally I prefer the raw dead shrimp because its more humane, as opposed to putting a fish through toxic levels of ammonia, trites & trates. Drop in one shrimp maybe 2 with a tank your size and the amount of LR you have. Let it rot... Take them out or leave them in for the duration of the cycle. ( I left mine in). And this should get you cycle off and running.
woody390
Aquarium Advice Addict
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- Oct 9, 2012
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Yeah don't use the fish usually you end up doing damage to the fish
begginersluck
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Go with the shrimp! Even a block of frozen mysis shrimp would do it.
crister13
Aquarium Advice Addict
Yes I believe that means it is dying.... If it used to be purple. Sometimes new coralline will be white...... If the rock was left out of the water for a little while that could've killed it. Or lack of light..... Really anything.
College fishman
Aquarium Advice Activist
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- Nov 30, 2012
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Every time I put new coraline covered rock in it turns white and dies off but will come back full force
