Will new base rock raise nitrates in a cycling tank?

[DebraLV]

I placed 5 lbs of new, white base rock in yesterday. I tested nitrates today and they were high. I didn't wash it as the instructions said it can go right in. It clouded the water for an hour or so but cleared up. Will dry rock cause a spike in nitrates or is that just a normal, fluctuating spike in a cycling tank? I have nothing in the tank yet and it's a small 8.5 gallon tank.

 

[Koh23]

Did u test prior to putting new rock in tank, or only after?

If rock is newer used before dry rock, then probably he wont leach anything into water, but if it's been used before and just dried, then possible that he have something inside....

Anyhow, if this is new tank, nothing live inside...why worry?

 

[DebraLV]

Hey Koh, thanks. I tested a day after. I did an API master test a few days before. The ammonia came down (mildly high still) nitrates good, nitrites -0-. It came from SouthSea Pacific from Petsmart so I assume it's new.

You're right, I shouldn't worry. I'm not known for patience....I know, wrong hobby to pick. I'll wait it out a couple more weeks.

 

[Gtinnel]

If your tank is still cycling then even if there was an increase in nitrates I don't think you could necessarily blame it on the rock.
I wouldn't think the rock could add to your nitrates if it were dry base rock.

Also don't completely trust the api ammonia test. My tank has been up for 2 year and still shows some ammonia.

 

[DebraLV]

Thanks, by what you guys say, it's just a normal, fluctuating, cycling spike. I'm only about 3 weeks in.

 

[terraincognita]

Thanks, by what you guys say, it's just a normal, fluctuating, cycling spike. I'm only about 3 weeks in.

Yeah you got it

AMMONIA > NITRITE > NITRATE > PHOSPHATE

if you're ammonia is decreasing that's why your Nitrate is increasing, since it's going from Nitrite to Nitrate.

 

[Koh23]

Debra i feel u, i'm the same, recently i started new tank.....

At first, i was nervous why ammonia dont rise.... Then, i was worried why no2 is sooo low.....

Then i stop testing, after 40 days i put few corals.... now i look at tank, corals are fully opened, colored..... And i dont bother to test.... When i fill with more corals, fishes.... Then i will test, for now, i just enjoy.....

 

[DebraLV]

Debra i feel u, i'm the same, recently i started new tank.....

At first, i was nervous why ammonia dont rise.... Then, i was worried why no2 is sooo low.....

Then i stop testing, after 40 days i put few corals.... now i look at tank, corals are fully opened, colored..... And i dont bother to test.... When i fill with more corals, fishes.... Then i will test, for now, i just enjoy.....

Yeah you got it

AMMONIA > NITRITE > NITRATE > PHOSPHATE

if you're ammonia is decreasing that's why your Nitrate is increasing, since it's going from Nitrite to Nitrate.

Thanks Terrain. I often wonder if I should have waited for the full cycling and if the tank is nature taking it's course. It's halfway there. I could have saved 15 bucks on Dr. Tims One and Only.