Started a mini cycle?

[tkao]

So I did basically a 75% water change in a new fluval spec v that I've had set up for 2.5 months now. I let it cycle for 5 weeks before putting in 3 snails and two corals. After my water change last week, I took out a piece of LR because I didn't like looking at it and I think I removed a lot of bacteria because it seems that I've started a mini cycle but did not know it until this morning after I had purchased two neon gobies. My nitrates spiked to 40ppm and ammonia between .5-.75. I ordered a bottle of bacteria (I didn't know if this would help but figured worth a shot)... Any suggestions to help my gobies out? I feel so terrible.

[brandon429]

good news

theres almost no chance that started a mini cycle and your ammonia kits are misreading, can you post a full tank picture

your pics may show some things we need to see. it is very hard in reefing to be working with just barely the amnt of needed surface area, such that a cursory removal causes things to be under par. cant wait to see pics, am looking for bare rock vs coralline, and live sand vs none.

[ReefWeeds]

When you say you let it cycle for 5 weeks, did you add anything in that would create an ammonia source? Without something creating ammonia during the cycle, you most likely didn't build up enough of the bacteria/biofilter to handle the two fish. I doubt it had to do with the water change as the bacteria really resides in the rocks and substrate. When you mention removing one rock, how much rock is left?

[tkao]

When you say you let it cycle for 5 weeks, did you add anything in that would create an ammonia source? Without something creating ammonia during the cycle, you most likely didn't build up enough of the bacteria/biofilter to handle the two fish. I doubt it had to do with the water change as the bacteria really resides in the rocks and substrate. When you mention removing one rock, how much rock is left?

I added a pinch of pellets in at beginning, and had live rock, aquacultured rock, and "live sand." I thought it was enough to get a colony started. I removed around 2lbs of LR - there is probably 4lbs left.

[brandon429]

It would take an abnormal bioload to make that much left inadequate. API ammonia kits cannot be used to discern low level ammonia readings there are many confounds that make them read high. If you get a multi-day sustained high reading that's worth looking into (and animals w be dead in your tank) but transient readings from API aren't to be factored in tank decisions

 

Google searches show the issues with low level readings on most API kits for ammonia

 

The sustained high level dark color readings are a good indicator of a large fish lost in the system etc, or for readings during stress events like power outages etc.

 

 

Bacteria do not die among tank transfers. Any bacteria you brought in from where you bought the live rock from were sufficient upon transfer, and the extra added by feeding simply balances out in time it's harness to do or not do.

 

There is a good chance that silt left in your new sandbed (makes up the initial clouding that settles) plays a role in events here. As it settles back out after the large water change and substrate relocation, it's chemical effects in the tank become sinked again. The readings on your test kit for that one post-change reading won't be the same today, even if it shows .25 still left there isn't any. Got pics? Helps to see bioloading vs current live substrate balances

[tkao]

It would take an abnormal bioload to make that much left inadequate. API ammonia kits cannot be used to discern low level ammonia readings there are many confounds that make them read high. If you get a multi-day sustained high reading that's worth looking into (and animals w be dead in your tank) but transient readings from API aren't to be factored in tank decisions

 

Google searches show the issues with low level readings on most API kits for ammonia

 

The sustained high level dark color readings are a good indicator of a large fish lost in the system etc, or for readings during stress events like power outages etc.

 

 

Bacteria do not die among tank transfers. Any bacteria you brought in from where you bought the live rock from were sufficient upon transfer, and the extra added by feeding simply balances out in time it's harness to do or not do.

 

There is a good chance that silt left in your new sandbed (makes up the initial clouding that settles) plays a role in events here. As it settles back out after the large water change and substrate relocation, it's chemical effects in the tank become sinked again. The readings on your test kit for that one post-change reading won't be the same today, even if it shows .25 still left there isn't any. Got pics? Helps to see bioloading vs current live substrate balances

I'll get pics when I'm home... Busy college kid haha.

[Clown79]

I don't think moving 1 rock should have caused a cycle. Were you testing during your 5 week cycle?