Removing live rock die-off during cycling.

[Nemo2007]

If I may add my two cents, I also got the bad advice concerning adding damsels to a new tank to help cycle it. Two things happened, Marine ick was added to the tank and never left until the tank was empty for a month. The second point, damsels are so aggresive I was never able to add anything else until they were sent back to the LFS as they already had set up their territories. There is a reason many of the damsel species are considered inch for inch, some of the most aggressive fish on the reef. Even some of the milder species can yield big trouble.

 

[Kasey]

Any signs on the start of ick? I'll have to read up on it.

I know about the damsel attitudes and at least the blues are less aggressive than say three stripes. I never planned on keeping them, just wanted them for the cycle. After 48 hours of them being in the tank, they each have dug small indents in the sand bed that they sleep in.

 

[Nemo2007]

It looks like dots of salt stuck on the fish but by the time that happens, the fish are usually nearing the big ocean in the sky or more likely, the big drain to the sea. As with many other diseases, the fish tend to breath rapidly as the gills are often an early target of the parasite. There is a ton of more precise info on the web including the life cycle of the parasite.

 

[Kasey]

Thanks Nemo.

I went out and bought some more rock today and am posting my tank specs in the appropriate forum in a few minutes.

My ammonia is still at 5, but now my nitrite spiked to .5 and nitrate to 8.

 

[Nemo2007]

Cool. You know, if you ever get the opportunity to set up another tank with live rock, you might consider adding the rock before adding the sand. It decreases the possibility of dead spots in the sand bed. I like you, started out with the sand bed first on my first tank but lived to regret it later. In fact, it might have been better to just leave the bottom bare as the rock cured. That way, it would be easier to suction out debris before it builds up. You can always add the sand later.

Anyway, your UV sterilzer should help with parasite management, though it will only help with the free swimming forms of parasites like marine ick and marine velvet.

When I first started out, I found the following book useful because it was an informative quick and easy read, "The New Marine Aquarium: Step-By-Step Setup & Stocking Guide" Michael S. Paletta. It even has tips for aquascaping which you may need soon.


Good Luck.

 

[Kasey]

Maybe I could put the rock up on some "stilts" of some kind during cycling.

Or what time period are you saying until dead spots would not be a worry?

Or I could remove/replace any dead sand?

- Thanks for the book title, I'll look it up.

 

[mr_X]

ammonia is the first part of the cycle, and the most toxic. then comes nitrite, then nitrate. it's actually a good sign to see the latter. this means you are somewhat further along in the cycle.

i wouldn't worry about the sand bed. it will be fine. it's better to cure the rock bare bottom or in another tank because the rock will shed some particles of dead stuff and you don't need that in your sand. however, it's a small matter. you are doing just fine. now it's a waiting game until your tests read zero.

 

[extremepb319]

Yea i would not recommend damsels for cycling because I'm stuck with 3 of them now. Cool but aggressive. O and the air valve i got is the same type as the one in the link except it doesn't have the double air valve or the hang on part. Hard to describe but I think you'll understand (hopefully).

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3669+3700&pcatid=3700

 

[Kasey]

Thanks for the link. I actually already have two of what you describe.

Why are you stuck with the damsels? My LFS takes them back for credit - they have a tank of damsels that they "loan" people for cycling. You buy them for $4.99 and keep them or return them....