Live Rock Cycling Tank?

[Bobindy1]

Live Rock Cycling Tank? Help please!

Well, I bought 20 lbs of live rock (in my 46gal bowfront)- first thing I put in my tank... after saltwater of course Now that I tried the eggcrate top idea, my temp is completely under control (thanks to all of you for that!!!). Why did I think that live rock would not create an ammonia spike? I'm sure the lfs guy said that since the rock was fully cured (I confirmed by the look and smell) I could safely put it all in the tank at once, provided I took it straight home to prevent die-off. I even took my own 5 gallon buckets to keep the rock submerged on the ride home. I also used the logic that cured live rock was a biological filter used to *prevent* ammonia spikes? I have since discovered that I was wrong in this "logical assumption" <looking at a nearly .25ppm ammonia test result> My question is, how much damage am I doing to the bacteria and organisms on my lovely live rock? And how long can I expect this ammonia spike to last? And how soon can I add something else, whether it be more live rock, or some tank janitors, or even fish and well, what SHOULD go in next? - Some guidance here would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance! :hang:

 

[skippy2]

I would add all the lr you are going to all at once. Your right, the lr is great filtration is all you will need. If your lr came from the lfs (mine did) expect the ammonia to rise then the nitrite then the nitrate. You may need to do a water change to keep your amm. levels down but I didn't and my tank cycled in 18 days. I still waited another month to even put a clean up crew in there.