Marine Insight

[fatboy8]

Figured I'd post this here and the marine section. I recently set up a 20 gallon tank to be used as a saltwater tank. I had it running for a few days with all of my water sample readings looking fine. Three days ago I introduced live rock into the tank and my water sample readings are all over the place. Currently my levels are

Nitrate 40 ppm
Nitrite 3ppm
PH between 7.5-8.0

I am wondering if the live rock caused this spike in Nitrate and Nitrite and what I should do about it. Last night I did a 25% water change but have not checked my readings since. I am also wondering if this is just my tank cycling. I've never really check my water readings during cycling I normally just waited a week and checked and levels were always normal.

 

[tlindsey]

Yes the live rock is causing the spike , because some of the living organisms on the live rock will die, but be patient and allow the the tank to complete the cycle. You should still do partial wc's to control your nitrates

 

[Cu554]

If there are no fish in the tank I wouldn't do a water change until your cycle is done.

 

[fatboy8]

Thanks guys for the quick responses

 

[Big Jay]

Ditto on what everyone said. Your live rock is in the process of "curing." This involves non viable organisms in the live rock dying off and creating a nitrogen cycle. Very common. Even "cured" rock will sometimes do that in a new aquarium. Good news is the addition of live rock usually speeds up the cycle exponentially.