Dry Live Rock - restart

[N4D5]

Hey guys hope everyones well. Been a few years but decided to come back.

Needed a little advise please.

So I had a 350 ltr corner tank that was running really well with a drum for sump but due to a silly fall off a ladder and absolutely shattering my wrist after several surgeries I have 30% max use so 3 years later I've decided to start my tank back up. Just couldn't get rid.

Now the tank stayed with water and rock algea build up was crazy as u would expect (surprisingly no smell at all) I've cleaned it all and removed the rock. Jet washed it all and it has come up like new. I had left the live rock out in the sun for a couple of weeks and it has fully dried out and looks brand new.

I've cleaned the tank new temp controller, uv and now gone for a canister filter Fluvel FX5. Hoping this runs better then the drum. I know I probably should have attempted a sump setup but just wasn't feeling it.

Anyway long story short, I've made the rodi water at 0 tds and used red sea salt. The rock has gone back in to tank after it was rinsed in rodi and along with aqua forest AF Bio sand I've started cycling using evolution aqua pure reef balance balls. I've got maxspect bio ceramic beads and foam running in the Canister for now.

I've been testing for a couple of weeks now and the ammonia hasn't shifted at all all the other readings are standard pH is good and no nitrite or nitrates for now.

Was wondering is it worth adding some TMC colony or Dr Tims to speed the process I really can't be waiting 6 to 8 weeks for a super slow cycle. I know I probably should but the family doing my nut in.

Any tips would be appreciated. I've added some pics to show the process from start to where I am now.

I'm in need of a new led light as my IT2060 has lost all blues.

I have a very small micro bubble issue which will need sorting too.

Thanks
Nad

 

[KrisReef]

Very cool, glad you are restarting and hope your injury doesn't take the joy out of the hobby.

Are you going to have corals of just fish?

If corals, I would really appreciate if you could test your clean tank a couple of times to see if there is motion in alkalinity and phosphate levels in the resting tank. With old rock, depending on how well you scrubbed it I would anticipate some residual leeching of phosphate and maybe some uptake of alkalinity (even though "alkalinity" isn't an element, I don't think it is stable in new set ups).

There is a lot of measurements and observations reported on our tanks and these two numbers don't always behave as expected for many folks and it is a thing that is bugging me, and now I'm bugging you about it. Sorry, can't help myself

Also, you might want to start a build thread on here and get a nifty badge to go under your ID/signature.

Welcome to Reef2Reef!
So glad you jumped on here!

 

[steveschuerger]

Nice looking tank like how you set up the rockwork.. Like the corner tanks myself, just impractical where I am. Maybe get a few pounds of base live rock(aquacultured) as well? That would help with speeding up things. I’ve used Dr. Tims myself and it seemed like it sped things up.

 

[N4D5]

Very cool, glad you are restarting and hope your injury doesn't take the joy out of the hobby.

Are you going to have corals of just fish?

If corals, I would really appreciate if you could test your clean tank a couple of times to see if there is motion in alkalinity and phosphate levels in the resting tank. With old rock, depending on how well you scrubbed it I would anticipate some residual leeching of phosphate and maybe some uptake of alkalinity (even though "alkalinity" isn't an element, I don't think it is stable in new set ups).

There is a lot of measurements and observations reported on our tanks and these two numbers don't always behave as expected for many folks and it is a thing that is bugging me, and now I'm bugging you about it. Sorry, can't help myself

Also, you might want to start a build thread on here and get a nifty badge to go under your ID/signature.

Welcome to Reef2Reef!
So glad you jumped on here!

The plan is defo to have corals and fish. It think my api test kits are out of date which could also be another reason for the readings. Will be ordering some new ones today along with either atm colony or Dr tims. I don't want to rush but I do want to rush if that makes sense.... Its been three weeks now running empty and like I said kids and family are like can we now add fish lol.

Pic of my tank previously attached for ref.

Historically I always had high nitrates and struggled to get them down I think is was partially down to a deepish sanded and poor circulation. Fingers crossed its better this time.


Any other suggestions anyone has on what media to run in the FX5 Canister.

Ps I may start a build thread too.

Thanks
Nad

 

[deafasa]

I would agree, new test kits are in order. I'm wondering if the rock became too clean and there was no decaying organics left to start the ammonia cycle.

 

[N4D5]

So thought I'd drop a quick update.

After waiting a few days and no changes whatsoever in readings I decided to add ATM Colony. My experience with ATM Col3is is a tricky one. Usually they say after about an hour or so u can add fish. But luckily I didn't. I tested and ammonia and it was sky high still. Even 1 week later it was still showing high ammonia. I'm guessing it was due to me fully cleaning the rock or whatever else.

Tested today and also got LFS to check the levels and ammonia is finally gone now we have the nitrites. So I guess it's a cycling ok.

Pic of latest tests below.

How long does it usually take for the nitrites to cycle through to nitrate, also should I keep my light on or off.

Once I'm at zero nitrites, is it water change time to remove the nitrates and then stock.

Thanks
Nad

 

[N4D5]

Wanted to give a an update and get further thoughts/advise. I've posted pics with dates to show tests and levels and a pic of the tank as it is today. I've not really seen any major changes if any if I'm honest. No build up of algea or anything.

The ammonia was high as expected I then added ATM colony and few days to a week later the ammonia vanished and nitrites started. The nitrites and nitrates have now been steady for almost 4 weeks now.

What's your guys thoughts.... I'm being patient but it's getting a tad frustrating not seeing any major changes.

I've chucked in a little foot in to the tank today to see what happens in the next few days.

I'm also thinking from advise form a couple of people maybe add a hardy fish or two... But then my high nitrites deters me.

Thanks again in advance.

Nad