Marco’s rock cycling advise.

[mgreefer]

I have purchased 150Ibs of Marco’s dry rock as I have upgraded recently from a 90gal to a 210. I had aprox 150lbs in the 90gal that have already been transferred with corals and fish to the new tank over 2 weeks ago. Everything looks good. (3/4 of the sand is new & ¼ from old tank).

I have been cycling Marco’s rocks in a big tub for 3 weeks with water changes once a week. How can I tell that the rocks are ready to be placed in the established tank with no harmful effects.

I was thinking if I test the tub water for Ammonia/Nitrites if they are zero then I should be safe. Is this a good way or what do you guys think.

Thanks.

[smcnally]

Did you monitor it from the beginning? Did you ammonia ever rise?

[Joedes3]

I used fritz turbo 900, my tank cycled in 5 days.
Ask Marco

[marco67]

MG you don't mention if you used anything to "seed" the rock with.
There is quite a difference between rock that isn't harmful and rock that's actually benificial.

It's true I recommend, use and stand by the Fritz 900.

Sure it's true you don't "need" it, nature will take care of things in her own time but nobody likes to wait.
Also I could tell you quiet a few stories about tank "saves" using the product.
(mostly overstocking and fast stocking) (there's a store here on the cape that will sell you a tank, clown fish and a box of salt in one transaction)
It absolutely chows ammonia and nitrite like it's a midday Twinkie.

[bbjohngm]

yeah monitoring it from the beginning and recording the spike would have given you a great indicator....test test test....don't rush it IMO this is something a lot of people do and it's just plain bad.....your idea is a good way to find out but you have no information as to what it was before it spiked so honestly you can't be 100% sure if it is ready....although three weeks is a decent amount of time.....i'd feel wrong saying it was ok without proper test results to back it up though....i'd say let it go for another week and test it almost every day if not then every other day and keep an eye on it, if the levels don't rise anymore than i would almost feel safe saying go ahead....almost lol but that's just me, i guess i'm way more cautious than most....and i tend to take things real slow and not rush....oh well, nothing bad has ever come of it yet lol

[NateHanson]

i'd say let it go for another week and test it almost every day if not then every other day and keep an eye on it, if the levels don't rise anymore than i would almost feel safe saying go ahead

I wouldn't just wait for the ammonia/nitrite levels to stop rising, but rather to drop down to zero.

[bbjohngm]

good point, I think that is what I meant...just didn't come out that way lol I think I was assuming the levels are at 0 now lol oh well, but yes good point ;)

[bbjohngm]

sorry about that, I'll make sure I proof read the post and reply from now on lol ;)