|
10/18/2020, 10:02 AM | #1 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Florida
Posts: 427
|
A never ended cycling
Hi,
I've been cycling my new 30 gallon setup for about 2 1/2 months now using Dr Jim's method. Process was going ok but in the past 3 weeks I'm stocked in 0.4 Nitrites and around 100 nitrates (no ammonia). Always this numbers, no ups or downs. I have lights on for about 4 hours per day but rocks are totally white, no algae of any type. A week ago I added a fish trying to speed the process but died yesterday, don't know why because 0.4 nitrites are not high enough to kill a fish but happened. Some days before I added the fish, had a bacteria bloom (cloudy water) that remains until today. I know that using artificial rock and no sand (my actual system) makes the process way much slower, but I think something is not going ok. To compensate the lack of areas where bacteria can proliferate, I added to the sump 2 types of ceramic media. your help will be appreciated. Thanks My test kits are ok, I have tried them with reverse osmosis water and all values are correct. |
10/18/2020, 10:04 AM | #2 | |
Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 441
|
Quote:
My first thought was you may have chlorine/chloramines. They would certainly kill any beneficial bacteria growing. Maybe try using Prime, and check your source water. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
|
10/18/2020, 10:05 AM | #3 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Florida
Posts: 427
|
Hi, thanks for your reply . Im using reverse osmosis water so should be no chlorine
|
10/18/2020, 10:06 AM | #4 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 441
|
|
10/18/2020, 10:15 AM | #5 |
RC Mod
|
something is massively wrong. I once acquired a live rock that turned out to be a petroleum tar ball, but it did not kill the tank. Look for any copper or brass in any way associated with the tank. Next time you try to introduce life, use snails or micro-hermits, and feed them.
__________________
Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%. |
10/18/2020, 10:31 AM | #6 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Florida
Posts: 427
|
I used no live rock so don't think my problem is the same as you described. Dry rock comes from marco rock. Will test for cooper for sure to be sure. Thanks for your input
Last edited by Jorsan; 10/18/2020 at 10:39 AM. |
10/18/2020, 10:56 AM | #7 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Rio de Janeiro
Posts: 394
|
You should watch this video, it is very informative:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDI7...BulkReefSupply Personally, I think 0.4 Nitrites and 100 Nitrates are high and probably do to the bare-bottom. I am guessing your fish died because of lack of oxygen. Maybe add an air-stone and get rid of any other removal products like GFO, Purigen, etc. That 30-minute video will probably solve your problem. |
10/18/2020, 03:19 PM | #8 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Florida
Posts: 427
|
thanks RioReefr for the link but I already saw it in the past and yes, is very informative. I follow all the recommendations of the method and that's why I'm worry about the result in my system.
The level of 02 in my tank is 8.1 as per my seneye, so looks ok for a fish to live in. All this must have a reason but I can't find it. |
10/21/2020, 01:30 PM | #9 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Florida
Posts: 427
|
Sk8r, cooper is cero as per my test so that's no the issue. Thanks
|
10/22/2020, 02:30 AM | #10 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: central california
Posts: 20
|
Are you doing water changes? That should help if you have any odd off gassing from the rocks or anything. And did you ever see a spike in ammonia?
|
10/22/2020, 06:05 AM | #11 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Florida
Posts: 427
|
no, I don't because is not recommended in the cycling process. About ammonia no spikes, always cero.
|
10/22/2020, 10:42 AM | #12 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: central california
Posts: 20
|
Have you done any water changes since setting up?
|
10/22/2020, 11:45 AM | #13 |
Registered Member
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Florida
Posts: 427
|
Just one time 2 weeks ago about 15%, thats all
|
Thread Tools | |
|
|