When to add Liverock or anything alive?

[6Speed]

Well, I've got my tank up and running. I tossed a piece of raw shrimp in there yesterday to get the cycle started. I know I have to wait till the cycle finishes, but I'm confused about the fact that adding anything new that's alive is going to simply cause a new cycle to start. Should I have just skipped the raw shrimp and done a piece of liverock? I have a whole lot of base rock in the tank now, and I am realllllly wanting to add a piece of liverock to seed it. :)

WELCOME TO CORAL FORUM!!!

Really, you could have done either unless the LR was COMPLETELY cured.

Due to shipping, sponges, algaes, critters, from LR die off and that produces Ammonia. That leads to bacteria food for the bacteria that are capable of reducing same Ammonia and starting a cycle. Ammonia is toxic to fish. Unfortunately, fish themselves produce Ammonia through their waste. As a result, it is good to have these bacteria present when you add fish so that the toxic Ammonia can be reduced to the Nitrates that your fish can handle.

There really isn't a such thing as a cycle...hobbiests tend to describe it as when you first set up you tank. In reality, it never stops afterwards. ANY increase in Ammonia will cause an increase in the bacteria that process it. ANY decrease in Ammonia will cause a decrease in the bacteria that process it. That's why if you increase your bioload too quick, your fish might die....Ammonia poisoning.

BTW...LR is LR for it's bacteria, not the algaes and hitchhikers that come with it.

[6Speed]

WELCOME TO CORAL FORUM!!!

Really, you could have done either unless the LR was COMPLETELY cured.

Due to shipping, sponges, algaes, critters, from LR die off and that produces Ammonia. That leads to bacteria food for the bacteria that are capable of reducing same Ammonia and starting a cycle. Ammonia is toxic to fish. Unfortunately, fish themselves produce Ammonia through their waste. As a result, it is good to have these bacteria present when you add fish so that the toxic Ammonia can be reduced to the Nitrates that your fish can handle.

There really isn't a such thing as a cycle...hobbiests tend to describe it as when you first set up you tank. In reality, it never stops afterwards. ANY increase in Ammonia will cause an increase in the bacteria that process it. ANY decrease in Ammonia will cause a decrease in the bacteria that process it. That's why if you increase your bioload too quick, your fish might die....Ammonia poisoning.

BTW...LR is LR for it's bacteria, not the algaes and hitchhikers that come with it.

Ok cool. Thanks for the reply! :) So basically I could go down to my lfs and buy a piece of LR (that should be cured...bc they put their rock in the main tanks with the fish) and drop it in the tank once this raw shrimp cycle is done?

Zack

Since you did the raw shrimp, add the cured rock any time you want.

[Matt.D]

Yea, I would suggest to get the live rock as soon as possible, the quicker you get that little jump start help the sooner you can add whatever. Plus it'll help the decomposeing of that shrimp also.

[6Speed]

Ahh, ok...I was thinking that the ammonia spike from the shrimp would kill some (or a good bit of) the LR inhabitants if I tried to put LR in there before the shrimp was done...

Sweet! I'm going to get some asap!

Also, my lights have not come in yet. Will the cured LR be ok without lights for a few weeks?

[Matt.D]

Well right now the thing that matters most is the bacteria on the rock. They dont need light to live, remember they are the ones that eat the ammonia and stuff. Your rock will be fine, the algae may or maynot die from not much light but I wouldnt worry at all because i'm sure your not going to get all of your live rock right away so later on when some is added, chances are it'll bring in the algae and stuff. Just make sure the tank isn't in direct sunlight or strong indirect sunlight and I think your good. Good luck!

[6Speed]

Ok awesome, thanks! :) I order a refractometer and electronic ph tester today. I have been using a plastic hydrometer, but read that they are not super accurate. Also, I have a hard time matching up the colors on those ph test kits, so I just opted for the electronic one for better accuracy. What is my ph supposed to be for fish and other things to thrive?

[Matt.D]

I would try to stay around 8.2-8.4 but I think its best at 8.3

[TranZ]

Welcome to Coral Forum!!
Don't hesitate to ask.
Make sure you take things slowly, the cycle can take from 3-8 weeks...so be patient. I don't know if i missed it but can you tell us what are your set-up is and what are you planning to keep in your tank. This will help a lot. This way we can give you a better advice.