Otay, so we have tank set up and running well (after a leak and some pump frustrations) and we have the live rock in place with our aquascape. Its been three days and now the water is turning yellowy then greeny. Is the the natural process of the non living rock and coral going through its cycle as we have just added the living rock yesterday. We have good s.g. and ph levels, is there something else we should be testing at this point? From what I understand we are doing everything right so far, just wondering about the water color and clarity.:help:
Okay, here comes one of MANY questions lol
- Thread starter TheSnailskis
- Start date
While cycling, it's important to monitor ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels. Otherwise, it's hard to say when the cycling period has run its course.
If you're setting up a reef tank, you'll also want to test your alkalinity, calcium, and phosphate levels (at minimum -- many other tests available), with testing for magnesium being useful from time to time (but not so important if you keep up with water changes and have a light to moderate number of corals).
I've never had the water itself turn green while cycling, but that indicates that there's a free floating / swimming form of algae taking off in your tank. Depending on how green your water is, it could be a battle to get rid of it if it doesn't clear up on its own as the cycle wraps up.
Are you running your lights while you cycle?
If so, they really aren't needed, as there shouldn't be anything in your tank that requires any light while the tank is cycling. Cycling without the lights helps to reduce the amount of nuissance algae that grows while cycling. Your post makes it sound like there's corals in your tank... I hope not while cycling, as the stress of the ammonia and nitrite spikes will likely damage them extensively (if it doesn't kill them). Or, do you mean there's dead corals in there (coral skeletons turning into live rock)?
If you're setting up a reef tank, you'll also want to test your alkalinity, calcium, and phosphate levels (at minimum -- many other tests available), with testing for magnesium being useful from time to time (but not so important if you keep up with water changes and have a light to moderate number of corals).
I've never had the water itself turn green while cycling, but that indicates that there's a free floating / swimming form of algae taking off in your tank. Depending on how green your water is, it could be a battle to get rid of it if it doesn't clear up on its own as the cycle wraps up.
Are you running your lights while you cycle?
If so, they really aren't needed, as there shouldn't be anything in your tank that requires any light while the tank is cycling. Cycling without the lights helps to reduce the amount of nuissance algae that grows while cycling. Your post makes it sound like there's corals in your tank... I hope not while cycling, as the stress of the ammonia and nitrite spikes will likely damage them extensively (if it doesn't kill them). Or, do you mean there's dead corals in there (coral skeletons turning into live rock)?
Difference between living and nonliving rock?
We used conditioned tap water and about 40 lbs non living rock, and 17 lbs living rock. The second day into it, the water started turning yellow, and the next day it was green. Checked the ph ad sg and everything looked good. Having done that decided to do a 10% water change. Looking a bit better today but definitely still green. Tried replying to post but ended up here, I'll figure things out shortly lol, tx for your patience. We were told by LFS not to rinse or clean off nonliving rock during set up as it would hold lots of nutrients. We were also told that the cured living rock we added would eventually turn non living rock live. I do not know if these statements are true so off to do some research. Any ideas or comments gladly aprreciated.:headbang2:
We used conditioned tap water and about 40 lbs non living rock, and 17 lbs living rock. The second day into it, the water started turning yellow, and the next day it was green. Checked the ph ad sg and everything looked good. Having done that decided to do a 10% water change. Looking a bit better today but definitely still green. Tried replying to post but ended up here, I'll figure things out shortly lol, tx for your patience. We were told by LFS not to rinse or clean off nonliving rock during set up as it would hold lots of nutrients. We were also told that the cured living rock we added would eventually turn non living rock live. I do not know if these statements are true so off to do some research. Any ideas or comments gladly aprreciated.:headbang2:
That all sounds odd, not what you said but what the LFS said. Perhaps it was translated a bit backwards?
Base rock=non-live rock
live rock= has living bacteria and perhaps other organisms in it.
You can rinse base rock all you want, nothing is going to die from it because it is already dead. It will be come live rock after being in a tank and becoming seeded by other live things in the tank such as live rock, live sand, etc.
Whether you rinse live rock or not is different. Live rock is either cured or uncured. Uncured means that there are dead or dying organisms on it. That is common because the rock goes through several places on it's way to your house and during this transportation it is common for their to be dieoff during shipping. I don't consider any rock fully cured unless it comes from the tank of a known local reefer or a very well trusted LFS.
If you have uncured rock you will want to get some of the dead organisms off and many will even scrub it, not just rinse it.
Personally in your tank I'd have reversed the ratio of live to living rock but the way you did it is fine, it will just take longer for the base rock to become seeded by the live rock.
When you say you used conditioned tap water please explain how it was conditioned. Is there an additive you're using? Is this conditioned water from your tap that is conditioned for drinking?
I'm guessing there is a problem with your water source and that perhaps the live rock you got is uncured and that could be why the water is changing colors on you.
Base rock=non-live rock
live rock= has living bacteria and perhaps other organisms in it.
You can rinse base rock all you want, nothing is going to die from it because it is already dead. It will be come live rock after being in a tank and becoming seeded by other live things in the tank such as live rock, live sand, etc.
Whether you rinse live rock or not is different. Live rock is either cured or uncured. Uncured means that there are dead or dying organisms on it. That is common because the rock goes through several places on it's way to your house and during this transportation it is common for their to be dieoff during shipping. I don't consider any rock fully cured unless it comes from the tank of a known local reefer or a very well trusted LFS.
If you have uncured rock you will want to get some of the dead organisms off and many will even scrub it, not just rinse it.
Personally in your tank I'd have reversed the ratio of live to living rock but the way you did it is fine, it will just take longer for the base rock to become seeded by the live rock.
When you say you used conditioned tap water please explain how it was conditioned. Is there an additive you're using? Is this conditioned water from your tap that is conditioned for drinking?
I'm guessing there is a problem with your water source and that perhaps the live rock you got is uncured and that could be why the water is changing colors on you.
do not do water changes as it will slow down ur cycle big time... while there is nothing living pretty much just let it run its course....as grins as said its probably some kind of die off or bad water....best thing to do is IMO take the rock out give it a decent scrub w/ a NEW toothbrush and get nething u can see off and then put it back in and when ur cycle is done add GOOD water as in RO water or water bought from the LFS or even distilled water w/ ur 50% water change ur gonna do when the cycle is over...and as also stated above try and leave the lights out to try and stop any nuisance tat could develop in ur brand new tank...just my 2cents