Once live rock has been introduced into a new aquarium the waiting game begins. Live rock brings with it life of all forms, from simple bacteria and algae cells up to more advanced life forms like sponges, worms and even coral polyps. Naturally on the long journey from the South Pacific (specifically, Tonga) much of this life perished. The combination of live and dead organisms helps to jump start the nitrogen cycle. Reef Central has a good FAQ regarding the nitrogen cycle as it pertains to reef aquariums.
In short, dead organisms arriving on the live rock decay, creating ammonia which is toxic to all life and probably killing off other organisms that had managed to survive the trip. Fortunately bacteria present in the rock are capable of converting ammonia to nitrite (still toxic to marine life) and then converting it further to nitrate (somewhat toxic at higher levels, but not as bad as the other two). As the patient new aquarist, I must sit back and watch this cycle slowly take place over the next two to six weeks, watching via test kits as the levels of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate change in the aquarium. Once the bacteria has taken hold ammonia and nitrite levels should read at 0 ppm. Nitrate may still show up in minute levels and can be minimized via water changes.
I plan on testing the parameters every four days or so to monitor this cycle, and to perform 20% water changes once a week to further reduce toxins. As a sign of a successful cycle beginning, we're looking for a drop in ammonia and a rise in nitrate to indicate the bacteria are at work. The protein skimmer has been pulling out some very light skinmate but doesn't appear to be quite as dialed in as I would like. I'm not sure if this is related to a lack of nutrients in the water to be skimmed or some other variable.
Todays Parameters:
Specific Gravity: 1.0255
pH: 7.9
Ammonia: 8ppm
Nitrite: 5ppm
Nitrate: 10ppm
In short, dead organisms arriving on the live rock decay, creating ammonia which is toxic to all life and probably killing off other organisms that had managed to survive the trip. Fortunately bacteria present in the rock are capable of converting ammonia to nitrite (still toxic to marine life) and then converting it further to nitrate (somewhat toxic at higher levels, but not as bad as the other two). As the patient new aquarist, I must sit back and watch this cycle slowly take place over the next two to six weeks, watching via test kits as the levels of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate change in the aquarium. Once the bacteria has taken hold ammonia and nitrite levels should read at 0 ppm. Nitrate may still show up in minute levels and can be minimized via water changes.
I plan on testing the parameters every four days or so to monitor this cycle, and to perform 20% water changes once a week to further reduce toxins. As a sign of a successful cycle beginning, we're looking for a drop in ammonia and a rise in nitrate to indicate the bacteria are at work. The protein skimmer has been pulling out some very light skinmate but doesn't appear to be quite as dialed in as I would like. I'm not sure if this is related to a lack of nutrients in the water to be skimmed or some other variable.
Todays Parameters:
Specific Gravity: 1.0255
pH: 7.9
Ammonia: 8ppm
Nitrite: 5ppm
Nitrate: 10ppm
Labels: Parameters, Reef Aquarium
