new tank ammonia level 1 ppm without fish

[GoDSpeeD]

O just set up my 125 saltwater fish only tank. Got the tank running. A friend of mine gave me some live rock. I put it in the tank and in a week I had the water tested and my ammonia level was high, 1 ppm.I was told its due to the dead organisms on the rock.20 pounds I have. Should I take the rock out and scrub and clean them and do a 40% water change?

[Original Fin]

No need to do that. Perfectly normal. You have just started the cycle. Expect it to last anywhere between 1-6 weeks. Doing anything like that now will only prolong the cycle. You don't want to do water changes during this cycle.

The basic version of the nitrogen cycle is this:

-You need an ammonia source, like Live Rock die off. (In an established system, fish waste and respiration is a continual source of ammonia)

-Ammonia gradually rises. It's obviously very toxic.

-Ammonia starts to fall, as bacterial colonies grow and feed on it. The waste product of those bacteria are Nitrites, which should now begin to register as a result. Nitrites are slightly less toxic than Ammonia.

-Ammonia drops to near zero. Bacteria is now consuming it almost as soon as it's produced. Nitrites continue to rise.

-Nitrites start to fall as a new type of bacteria begins to feed on them. The waste product of these new bacteria are Nitrates, which should now begin to register. Nitrates are less toxic. Fish can generally tolerate fairly high levels...marine invertabrates cannot. This is why the big difference in filtration methodology between Fish Only and Reef Systems.

-When Ammonia and Nitrites fall to zero, the cycle has completed. Wait a couple weeks to be sure it stays stabile, and then add your first fish. (After Quarantine) Let the biological filter adjust to this change for a month before adding a second fish...and so on. Dumping in a bunch of fish all at once will likely crash your system, not to mention introduce disease.

You are left with ever accumulating quantities of nitrates. Regular water changes are what keeps them from getting out of control in a Fish Only With Live Rock (FOWLR) system.

You said you had your water tested? Does that mean you don't have your own test kits? Having your own test kits is a must...just stay away from the paper strips.

If you are totally new to this, just about everything you need to know you can find in the Forum "Sticky" threads. Or if you have specific questions, just fire away.

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

Like Fin said... Be sure not to add fish or inverts until after the cycle is complete and your ammonia and nitrite levels stay at zero for at least a week or two. You don't need fish to cycle your tank. The die off of the live rock took care of that for you.
You might also need to know you are going to need a lot more live rock for a 125.

[GoDSpeeD]

i want to thank you both. A ton of infomation. I just broght me a test kit. I am planning on buying more rock. I guess i cant wait to put a nice little dog face puffer in there,lol. again thank you very much for your help guys. I will be doing a lot of reading here.

[Original Fin]

You bet.

[GoDSpeeD]

Good new, my ammonia level has gone down to .5 , can't wait till it finish cycling. I'm looking forward to adding my dogface and Picasso trigger. I'm adding more rock ad we speak.