oooops!

I would highly recommend not cycling with two fish, the ammonia spike will even be greater and there will be a greater chance of the deaths of those fish. I cycled with 1 and only 1 yellow tail damsel whom I have to this day, a great fish IMO. You really don't need to add anything to cycle if you want to be technical, I cycled dry base rock in about 2 weeks and didn't add anything else. There are many myths and half truths floating around this hobby, some have been taken as true just b/c everyone does it, like "seeding" base rock or having a CUC, both can be helpful but not necessarily. If I were you I would either get 1 damsel fish, preferably not a clown, but then can work, or you can just leave the tank empty and let it go on it's own, again despite what many people think, this will not necessarily result in a longer cycle, or use the 1 small piece of raw shrimp. Also, take the shrimp out when your done cycling, if you don't it will just continue to contribute to your nitrates and phosphates resulting in nuisance algae. In the end, there are many ways to do this as there are many ways to do just about anything in this hobby. Good luck and post pics when you can.

 

I'm thinking when you dry the rock, the air breaks down the chlorine bonds. :-/ not sure why I think that though... can't remember if I made it up or read it somewhere... i won't lie

When you say 'no traces'... how do you know? You testing this?


I'm nuking rock right now actually. The instructions I have tell me to soak the rock in the bleach solution for 3 days, RO for 3 days, and then RO/Baking soda to neutralize the bleach... for 3 days, and then dry it for 1-2 weeks.

maybe i'm having a brain fart, but isn't chlorine the active thing in bleach?


I do know that folks recommend letting mixed SW as well as dechlorinated tap water sit out for 24 hours - but in both cases (RO/DI and dechlorinated) chlorine isn't in the picture for the recommendation... it's a pH, etc. thing.

I won't argue too strongly on this as i'm not positive... but it's how i always viewed it.

 

No arguing going on...just trying to reach a consensus and a better overall understanding.....started to hijack a little....new thread started....How does chlorine evap work?

 

Okay,back to cycling your tank....Yeah, what guitar man said.

 

Thanks for the info guys...how long should it take for me to see any spiking? I've had 2 fish in for 3 days now and the levels have not gone anywhere.