Thread: Cycle Question
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Old September 22nd 06, 11:14 PM posted to rec.aquaria.marine.reefs
Wayne Sallee
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Default Cycle Question

The answer is that if it is my rock, I'm going to keep
alive what is still alive. Some people might not be
interested in that, but I have always found that strange.

Wayne Sallee
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Stoutman wrote on 9/22/2006 6:12 PM:
Doing a water change percentage sufficient to reduce the
levels of ammonia and nitrite to levels that won't kill off the remaining
life, will still leave plenty of food for the bacteria. Keep in mind that
the rock when pulled out of the ocean had plenty of bacteria to support a
load of fish. What changed was that stuff on the rock died. Once the dead
stuff is finished rotting, the rock will once again support a load of
fish.


The 'Key' here is doing the correct percentage of water change.

You will have to perform a water change that reduces the NH3 concentration
just below the bacteriostatic levels for the nitrobacter, but not to low as
to stunt the proliferation of the nitrosomonas.

This sounds like a tricky balancing act.

Why bother ? Let it run its course.




Wayne Sallee
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