Tank already processing ammonia

[CatsandClowns]

Heyo! I recently set up a 38-gallon tank using 2-lbs of Gulf live rock rubble and 15-lbs of base live rock from TankStop (based in LA, so shipping was easier and affordable). Both arrived wet, the Gulf rock smelled “oceany” but not overly pungent, though the rinsing bucket turned cloudy, so I’m assuming some die-off occurred. I also added mature sponge filters, and the rest of my rock was dry but soaked in a heated, aerated bucket with those sponges for a week while ghost feeding.

This is my first time starting a tank with a solid amount of live rock, so I’m clarifying my observations: Yesterday, I dosed 0.2 ppm ammonium chloride. Given the rock die-off, I’d expect to see ammonia build-up if the rock bacteria weren’t sufficient to process it. But after 12 hours, I’m measuring zero ammonia and only trace nitrates.

Does this mean the nitrifying bacteria from my live rock are already effectively processing the ammonia? Should I wait another 12-24 hours before concluding the ammonia is fully processed, or am I overthinking it? Thoughts?

 

[PPBlimpy]

Starting with the quality live rock is definitely helping. Personally, I would dose again and give it 24hr but you are on the right track for a quick cycle.

 

[twentyleagues]

You used live rock and seeded filter material you are good to go. Go slow though.

 

[CatsandClowns]

Starting with the quality live rock is definitely helping. Personally, I would dose again and give it 24hr but you are on the right track for a quick cycle.

Fun stuff. I think I will let this first dose run its course then I think I may just do light ghost feeding for a bit to get nutrient levels up a skosh.

 

[CatsandClowns]

You used live rock and seeded filter material you are good to go. Go slow though.

This kinda rules. Ill start with pods for now.

 

[PPBlimpy]

I have never understood the ghost feeding. I know the food eventually breaks down but its the fishes waste that really pushes the nutrients.

do you plan to QT your fish or buy already QTed?

I would give it another 24hrs and ad your first small fish if you are not worried about QT.

 

[CatsandClowns]

I have never understood the ghost feeding. I know the food eventually breaks down but its the fishes waste that really pushes the nutrients.

do you plan to QT your fish or buy already QTed?

I would give it another 24hrs and ad your first small fish if you are not worried about QT.

I suppose you’re right that it doesn’t contribute nearly as much as a fish would. I think it does to some small degree without the added risk of putting a fish in too early. That said there’s probably no point in continuing to ghost feed. I have two clowns in another tank ready to move, another fish is in QT(unmedicated, but has shown no signs of bacterial infections, ich, or flukes and whatnot) for another week or two. Though I would be interested in buying from a pre-QT vendor in the future, any recommendations?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Do you really mean you dosed 0.2 ppm ammonia, not 2 ppm?

 

[CatsandClowns]

Do you really mean you dosed 0.2 ppm ammonia, not 2 ppm?

No it was 0.2ppm, I may be mistaken in assuming 2ppm would harm the little fan worms that hitchhiked on the live rock but I didn't want to risk a large increase in case it was unable to process it.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

No it was 0.2ppm, I may be mistaken in assuming 2ppm would harm the little fan worms that hitchhiked on the like rock but I didn't want to risk a large increase in case it was unable to process it.

Ok. In any case, I would not do anything else to “cycle” it. I would not add bacteria or more ammonia. I’d just go slow adding organisms. :)

 

[CatsandClowns]

Ok. In any case, I would not do anything else to “cycle” it. I would not add bacteria or more ammonia. I’d just go slow adding organisms. :)

Thanks! I cant believe I doubted the power of The Rock.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Thanks! I cant believe I doubted the power of The Rock.

In my current tank, I used live rock and sand from TBS. I monitored ammonia with a Seachem alert and it never showed any color change. I did not do anything to cycle the tank.

 

[PPBlimpy]

I suppose you’re right that it doesn’t contribute nearly as much as a fish would. I think it does to some small degree without the added risk of putting a fish in too early. That said there’s probably no point in continuing to ghost feed. I have two clowns in another tank ready to move, another fish is in QT(unmedicated, but has shown no signs of bacterial infections, ich, or flukes and whatnot) for another week or two. Though I would be interested in buying from a pre-QT vendor in the future, any recommendations?

I am pretty sure it takes 5-7 days for the food to break down when you ghost feed.

Regarding QT suppliers, can not help there.Ii do not currently or ever in the past QTed my fish. I am way to impatient for all that and my wife is to impatient for me having more then the 2 tanks I already have. I know the risks

 

[CatsandClowns]

I suppose you’re right that it doesn’t contribute nearly as much as a fish would. I think it does to some small degree without the added risk of putting a fish in too early. That said there’s probably no point in continuing to ghost feed. I have two clowns in another tank ready to move, another fish is in QT(unmedicated, but has shown no signs of bacterial infections, ich, or flukes and whatnot) for another week or two. Though I would be interested in buying from a pre-QT vendor in the future, any recommendations?

I am pretty sure it takes 5-7 days for the food to break down when you ghost feed.

Regarding QT suppliers, can not help there.Ii do not currently or ever in the past QTed my fish. I am way to impatient for all that and my wife is to impatient for me having more then the 2 tanks I already have. I know the risks

You’ve got some balls on you, I couldn’t

 

[CatsandClowns]

Thanks! I cant believe I doubted the power of The Rock.

In my current tank, I used live rock and sand from TBS. I monitored ammonia with a Seachem alert and it never showed any color change. I did not do anything to cycle the tank.

How did you proceed with stocking your tank?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

How did you proceed with stocking your tank?

My tank thread details everything. I set up a refugium, and then added fish.