how much rock to cycle a new tank?

Myka · #1 05-12-2009, 05:18 AM

You will probably cause a major disaster if you try to move your sandbed without really cleaning it well (as in drying it, and "scrubbing" it). Unless you plan on really cleaning very very well, I would suggest you use new sand. Can you move some of the rock from your other systems to the 180? It would be good to have at least 50 lbs or so in there to cycle it. Or buy some estalbished rock from someone on here. That's what I did. I currently own about 200 lbs of rock too, and in a few weeks the only sw tank I will have is a 90, so I will be selling off the extra.

banditpowdercoat · #2 05-12-2009, 05:24 AM

If you do take sand out of your existing tank, Take ALL the sand in a area. DOn't just skimm the surface off. That will release the bad stuff into your tank. I'ts gona make a cycle. I have all the sand from the 150 I got here in Buckets, with holes in the bottom. So the water "hopefully" all drained out and it's dry and dead when I go to use it in a month. But still will suspect a nasty cycle.

10-20Lbs of sand, I dont imagine will be to bad on a 180g. But not sure

PS, How was Texarkanna?

naesco · #3 05-12-2009, 05:26 AM

plus 1 and I would add.

IMO, It is a good idea to take a scoop of your old sand near the edge where you see the worms.
The reason is the critters that live in the rock are not the same critters that live in the sand so the scoop will start a new population of sand critters.

Myka · #4 05-12-2009, 05:44 AM

^ Good call.

fragNplug · #5 05-12-2009, 06:38 AM

im gonna hop in here, i had 45g 90g and a 60g i added all the livestock, sand, coral, and rock to one big 160g.
anonia has been .25 , 0 nitrite and 0 nirate
im pretty sure im going to kill everything.
i have been using prime to keep the amonia down.
so far so good fish are happy and eating.
i had to do a 50% water change, but now im worried.
any info for me from you experienced folks?

Myka · #6 05-12-2009, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fragNplug

im gonna hop in here, i had 45g 90g and a 60g i added all the livestock, sand, coral, and rock to one big 160g.
anonia has been .25 , 0 nitrite and 0 nirate
im pretty sure im going to kill everything.
i have been using prime to keep the amonia down.
so far so good fish are happy and eating.
i had to do a 50% water change, but now im worried.
any info for me from you experienced folks?

Suck out all that old dirty sand with a siphon hose, and wash it really well. Add it back in in a month or so once you're done cleaning it up. That's what I would do.