Tank Cycle Question...

[MCDAVIES]

Hi all...

Just a quick question to calm the concerns of a novice reefer (hopefully)...

I put the live rock in my 150g on Saturday (approx. 200lbs). Have done water tests every day:

Salinity: 1.025
Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate: 0
PH: 8.0

The purple coraline algea on my rocks is starting to turn white. Is that normal die-off or do I have a problem? Also, is there anything I need to do to trigger the cycle or do I just sit (patiently) and wait?

Any thoughts are appreciated...

Mark

[ajx22]

Sounds like a very normal cycle to me.

You're looking at 4-8 weeks before it's done.

How well cured was the Live Rock? If there is a ton of life on it...you may want to go to the supermarket, and buy a frozen/fresh RAW shrimp, and throw it into the tank too. This will kick-start the cycle...

However...from the sounds of the tank with 200lbs of live rock...you should be fine the way it is. Just be patient, and wait out the 4-8 weeks for the cycle to completely finish!

Good Luck!!!

[jastonataquapro]

if you've added live rock, it should have 'popped' the system to start the cycle.

If your readings are off, check to make sure you're doing the tests right, maybe test someone elses system. If you have any algea (brown or green), your tank is almost done cycling.

If you've never seen this, and your readings are all zero, try buying a single shrimp from the grocery store. Let it decompose. This will start things alright and it's considered humane.

[MCDAVIES]

The rock was VERY well cured...there was significant coraline algae growth on most pieces. Unfortunately, all that beautiful purple has been the first to start dying off...

Very disappointing to lose it...but if that is what has to happen during the cycle...oh well...

Would the "shrimp suggestion" short-circuit the die-off?

Mark

[ajx22]

Originally posted by MCDAVIES
Would the "shrimp suggestion" short-circuit the die-off?

Mark

Nope.

Just let it cycle...and make sure that you are maintaining your calcium levels properly - with this sized tank...get a calcium reactor - and your coraline will come back no problem.

A tank run properly...you will be cursing the coraline for covering your glass! ;)

[Sohal Tang]

McDavies...I hear you on the coraline...I love the stuff too....
How did you transport the rock?

- how long did it take you to move it?
- was it submerged in water or just wrapped in paper?
- what lights are you using on your tank?
- is it the rock up near the top that is turning white?

My guess, and it is only a guess, is that some of the rock
at the top was under LESS LIGHT then you now have it under
and the type of coraline on it does NOT like as much light
as you now have it under...that and a combination of die off
from the move....

Dont worry the coraline will come back if your water conditions
are ideal....

Some of the nicest coraline I have ever seen grew under
NO bulbs believe it or not....Not all coraline likes alot of light
in fact much of it likes dimmer light.....

WHen I buy rock I insist on keeping it submerged.....to prevent
as much die off as possible.... I have cycled a tank in very little
time and coraline growing great as I did NOT give the rock
time to die..other then about the first 30lbs which I let get TOO COLD but...I quickly retrieved it and lost very little life from it.

No matter what....dont worry...the rock will go back to purple
eventually as long as the tank is well seeded and all other
conditions are present.

This is my unproffessional opinion only.

Good luck,
Tim
:)

[kadaytar]

Keeping the calcium level above 400 mg/lt and keeping actinic blue lights on for 24 hours a day for the first 4 to 6 weeks while keeping the others off -since the coraline algea does not like bright light - will help coraline algea growth.

Kadir

[MCDAVIES]

Thank you for all the comments...a couple of the points raised bring up additional questions...

My understanding was to leave the lights off during the cycle period. Am I doing the wrong thing? I have 3 - 5' VHO's and 2 -400W MH's.

Another related question...a couple of you have mentionned calcium. Is that an important part of the equation during the cycling period? I have been putting in an additive but have not been checking calcium levels in the water...

Mark

[Sohal Tang]

I have heard LEAVE LIGHTS OFF during cycling period also....
I agree to a certain degree with that ....
I would still put the lights on approx 4 hours per day for a while
gradually increasing to 12 hours per day approx....
Just my way...and I might be wrong on that....
Tim

[Chrismo]

I agree with tim. I htnk the reasoning for leaving lights off during cycles, is twofold: Nutrient levels can be high which encourages algae; and some people cure their rocks in their cycle and want to promote dye-off.

I disagree with both those reasons, and would leave the lights on. I think those algae blooms in the first month are a part of the natural cycle. And whatever can survive on my rock through a cycle is a welcome addition to my tank. usually)

[IJO]

I agree with Chrismo... your going to get an algae bloom when you do turn on the lights anyway... might as well get everything over and done with at the same time.

IJO

[Oakville Reef Gallery]

i think the lights should be off except maybe actinics for viewing,the algae cycle should not be further encouraged with lights on.the algae can go photosynthetic and then you have problems.whats the advantage of having the lights on? Flavio

[IJO]

Time... your gonna get an algae bloom whenever you decide to turn on the lights anyway... might as well get it over with.

As your tank goes through it cycle(bacterial and algea)... it tries to find that much needed balance... if you cycle without lights all your doing in prolonging your algae cycle because its gonna come once you do decide to turn them on IMO.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I have never seen or heard of a tank cycle without an algae bloom. Am I missing something flavio?

IJO

[Sohal Tang]

course...I ain't the most patient man in the world ahahaha

I figure...GET IT OVER WITH yes yes ...

Of course...I am sure that Flavio's suggestion of leaving
the actinics on would be simply another great route to go..
Personal pref...more ways to skin a cat in this hobby
then shake a piece of live rock at...and...if you do that...
wear gloves!!! heheheh (my finger stillll infected after like
4 days or so? heloooooooo watch it when you are workin
with live rock)

just thought I would throw that in....
Have a fun and good one everyone!
Tim
:laugh:

[Chrismo]

I would want the lights on to help whatever is on the rock to survive.

But how and why does an algae "go photosynthetic", flavio? and what kinds of algae might do that?

Does that mean it begins relying even more on light than it naturally does? and slow nutrients will not stunt it's growth anymore?

Where can I get more info on that? It sounds interesting and scary.

[Oakville Reef Gallery]

the algae is first fuelled by nutrients,all algae is fed this way (most anyways),by leaving the lights on your just adding more food(light),its not correct to say your prolonging the cycle by leaving the lights off,using this formula we dont have algae blooms,the only thing that will happen is slight brown algae due to diatoms,mark can keep you posted when his cycle is over. Flavio

[Sohal Tang]

Thanks for the info Flavio...I will try it this way next
time I set up another reef...makes complete sense now
that you put it that way...
Thanks again!
Tim
:)

[IJO]

Interesting... I will give it a try :)