how long to cycle with uncured live rock?

[mrtorts]

I'm trying to be patient, but how long can it take for my nitrites to
get to zero? I put about 120 lbs. of uncured live rock, right out of
the box from Figi, in a new 90 gallon tank. That was 7 weeks ago! My
Nitrites seem stuck in the range of .05 to .15, and I'm afraid to add
more fish. I have 8 green chromis in there, thriving, and huge waves
of all kinds of algae. How long can this go on? Thanks for any
advice.


--
mrtorts

David
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[Simon O'Keeffe]

Have your water tested with another test kit.
If there has been no change for a few weeks then I;d say it's the test
kit that is faulty.
Salifert is a good brand if you need to replace it, but Id just try to
get you LFS to test it for you before you spend $.
Good luck, and stay cool, re-doing a tank because you rushed it and it's
not going the way you wanted will take much much longer than a few more
weeks.
You've been nice an patient up 'till now, so continue to be patient and
you'll go far in the hobby.
Simon



mrtorts wrote:

>I'm trying to be patient, but how long can it take for my nitrites to
>get to zero? I put about 120 lbs. of uncured live rock, right out of
>the box from Figi, in a new 90 gallon tank. That was 7 weeks ago! My
>Nitrites seem stuck in the range of .05 to .15, and I'm afraid to add
>more fish. I have 8 green chromis in there, thriving, and huge waves
>of all kinds of algae. How long can this go on? Thanks for any
>advice.
>
>
>--
>mrtorts
>
>David
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>
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>

[mrtorts]

Thanks Simon. My nitrite test kit is Salifert, but I'll take a sample
to the fish store to be sure.
I tested this morning and the ntrite level had risen to closer to .02!


--
mrtorts

David
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[Simon O'Keeffe]

After 7 weeks Id imagine the die off is over.
Your test kit can still be faulty even if it's a good brand.
They require proper storage if they are to remain reliable.
They also have shelf life, maybe yours has past or maybe you just had
some real bad die off.
I'd concider this unlikely.
How much current is in the tank, the more the better in most situations.
The rocks ability to process nitrite and ammonia is directly related to
the amount of contact with the water so the more movement the more
contact and the faster the rock can process the waste.
You are certainly having a long cycle, ut unfortunately you just have to
wait it out.
Are you able to mix some fresh ASW with RODI water and test this to see
if your nitrite test is OK?
Simon

mrtorts wrote:

>Thanks Simon. My nitrite test kit is Salifert, but I'll take a sample
>to the fish store to be sure.
>I tested this morning and the ntrite level had risen to closer to .02!
>
>
>--
>mrtorts
>
>David
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