"marshall baines" wrote in message
om...
Hi,

I am pretty new at this so I am hoping someone can help me. I
received half of the live rock for my 90 gallon tank 2 days ago. I
have been constantly doing multiple water changes (30% 2-3 times a
day), but the ammonia just does not seem to be getting under 1ppm so
easily. I noticed last night that there are multiple white spots on
the rock and corals and I am wondering if I am doing something wrong.

I have spoken to my friends, and many of them did not go through the
high ammonia levels that I have. Any recommendations? is this die
off normal or am I definately doing something wrong?



Sounds like a TBS Package?

First- every load of rock is different. I have received TBS rock that is so
fresh that virtually no cycle took place at all. Another time I received
rock from TBS that looked like it had been in the bottom of the barrel for a
month, and had extensive die-off.

I know that Richard recommends that ammonia be kept under 1ppm in order to
preserve the life on the rock. If you are having trouble in this regard,
understand that one large water change brings it down much better than two
smaller changes.
While some varieties of live rock can be cured without regard to high
ammonia, TBS rock has so much life that we want to keep alive- an occasional
water change will *in no way* delay your cycle. 1ppm is more than enough to
stimulate bacterial growth, and the bacteria themselves are adherent and
will not be washed away with a water change.

"Multiple white spots" sounds like dying sponges. I would recommend that you
take out one piece of rock at a time, and smell these areas. If they smell
rank, they are dead and can be cut/yanked/pried off with a screwdriver or
similar. You won't want the rock out of the water for too long, but 20
minutes per piece will give you plenty of time to get all the dead bits off.
Smell all of the bivalves also- I tend to remove these, but that is an
individual decision. Getting rid of all the dying/dead organisms will help
your ammonia problems tremendously.

So- yes the die off is normal seeing that some batches are just different
than other batches. Remove all of the dead things you can by doing a sniff
test. Try to keep ammonia under 1ppm but don't lose your mind here- it will
come down on it's own eventually.

Please forgive some of the other responders who were exceedingly rude to
you.
The hobby is full of pleasant, helpful people so just ignore the few who
seem to have anger issues.
Must be the election.

Good luck


--
Toni
http://www.cearbhaill.com/reef.htm