The Puffer Forum

Is this going to be a problem? Have fluval 305 on smaller tank, with GSP still in the tank. Waiting on 68 gallon to cycle with some live rock, etc, Also have a new filter on that, with media that is new. Will I have another mini-cycle if I move the fluval over (as an additional filter) to larger tank. It has established media for salinity of 1.012, but not sure how it will do with that transition. Need info! THanks!

I am not sure I understand... Live rock will not usually withstand 1.018 specific gravity. How long has it been at this density? Are you sure it is still alive? Is it nitrifying/denitrifying?

I would not risk a functional bacterial filter to withstand a single move from i.012 to 1.018 specific gravity. Can't you make the move over three weeks wit stops at 1.014, 1.016 and then 1.018? That would be much safer for the nitrification bacteria. Vertebrates can be drip acclimated in hours, bacteria cannot. Bacteria must be allowed time to grow out resistant forms for non-trivial changes in water density.

Another forum I belong to said live rock can be in density from 1.017 to full marine, so I don't know what to believe. I guess I'll have to try it, and hope for the best. I've purchased Nutrafin Cycle, so hopefully that will help.

Gwen

If you haven't used it already exchange cycle for bio-spira. The former does not work and bio-spira is meant for high salinity water as it contains the bacteria that thrive in it. Also I wouldn't chance damaging the live rock. Just remix your water and bring it up to 1.020 since you are in high brackish already. Otherwise you are just gonna have a soup of dead bacteria for quite a while.

+1, Cycle is nothing more than dead bacteria in a bottle--total garbage. Bring it back & get Bio-Spira.

+1, Cycle is nothing more than dead bacteria in a bottle--total garbage. Bring it back & get Bio-Spira. Keep in mind, this will not cure the rock, in any way.

I'll see if the petstore has bio-spira and return the other. But for now, I'm not raising the salninity anymore and I'll just take my chances. If live rock dies, so be it. I'm already too worried about moving my fluval on the existing tank over to a salinity that is higher than "it's" used to. That is why I'm not going any higher than 1.018. I don't want to raise the salinity too fast in the tank the puffer is in, because I already had a small nitrite reading (don't know however) due to I believe raising the salinity too fast.

Time will tell. I'll keep you posted.

gwen

If live rock dies, so be it.

Is it with your fish?

The rock is in a new tank. If you only raise by 0.002 per week you should not shock your filter

If the live rock dies it will prolong the cycle. Plus it would be a terrible waste of money.

You guys are probably all right. But, it's already in the tank, and if the bacteria dies, new bacteria will replace it. Ammonia went up to .50, started at .25. Nitrates are still low, at 5ppm. Still don't have any nitrites. If I get bio-spira, anyone want to venture a guess on how long this cycle will take, with my current readings?

I have a neighbor kid who is "dying" to buy my smaller tank, and he is disappointed he has to wait

If I was to raise my salnity .002 per week, that would take 5 weeks. I'm not running two tanks for 5 weeks

I'm wondering if once the big tank cycles, I should just put my GSP in that tank (acclimate him over some time in a bucket), and let the Fluval filter media dry out. Than rinse it well, and put it in the tank in the "new" filter media, but it won't have any bacteria on it. My thoughts are that would prevent it from crashing in a mini-cycle - right?

Gwen

Also on the waste of money thing - I only paid $5.00 for two pieces of live rock. I paid $60 for some base rock and "dead rock" that I hope will one day be live Base rock, free. Dead rock $3.00/lb

Gwen

At this point, I wouldn't waste your $$$ on B-S. Just return the Cycle & wait.

I saw tiny corals on my live rock yesterday! So cool! I'm bummed my GSP will likely eat them when he gets in the tank. If you know what kind they are, I'd love to know. Come out of tiny whiteish tubes, light pink in color, hair like tentacles that reach up.

Gwen

Sounds like feather dusters. My guess is the GSP will eat them, but they can survive in crevices where the fish cannot reach them.