Newbie here with some questions about my cycling tank

#1 06-17-2010, 05:02 PM

by using LR and introducing it in steps it is possible to shorten the cycle When I cycle I also use live sand either from a friends tank or the LFS as they now sell Live sand it costs a tun but worth it if it's new stock the older stuff may have some live stuff in it but I would think that there is not much left. So if you get live sand from a LFS then get new stock.

A nitrate spike at 1.5 week is not uncommon when using live rock you at all should not add any thing to your tank till the full month has gone by. Two months if you can wait that long let the brown algae go through its paces it will grow and grow and one day if you have enough circulation and have done your water changes at the right time it will go away don't fight with it. Green hair algae will grow next don't fight it shorten the light cycle allot and it will not last as long as some people have experienced. The HA you have to pluck as much as you can because when it dies and it releases the phosphates back into the water.

the best thing to do is read as much as you can and ask questions and before you get fish setup a QT very important to have QT and use it.
Bill

Sumfingwong · #2 06-17-2010, 05:25 PM

Sweet, thanks for the info.

As for sand, I will be going with no sand. Currently I have the 2 pieces of LR sitting on eggcrate.

I am also picking up 50 lbs from a fellow canreef member this weekend to add to the tank.

When should I do my next water change? I have not done one since I started the tank (only topped off the tank, because of the skimmer)

Here is a pic of what it looks like now. I added the eggcrate last night

naesco · #3 06-17-2010, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sumfingwong

Sweet, thanks for the info.

As for sand, I will be going with no sand. Currently I have the 2 pieces of LR sitting on eggcrate.

I am also picking up 50 lbs from a fellow canreef member this weekend to add to the tank.

When should I do my next water change? I have not done one since I started the tank (only topped off the tank, because of the skimmer)

Here is a pic of what it looks like now. I added the eggcrate last night

You should never use live fish to cycle a tank. You are putting them through necessary stress
Please return the fish to the LFS. Did they tell you to use damsals to cycle a tank?

#4 06-17-2010, 11:58 PM

cycling with live fisg also burns their gills. you can do a small water change before you get the new rock then I would weight till after the 1 month mark. For a tank to fully cycle it can take upto 6 months to establish a tank completly. useing cured live rock will speed up the cycle but not much a 4 week cycle time maybe sped up to a 3 week cycle time.
Have to run and pick up me daughter but I will keep an eye on this thread.

Bill

Sumfingwong · #5 06-18-2010, 04:59 AM

He told me I can use Damsels, and I have read where people can use them. They seem happy, and not stressed.. they are super blue right now. If I see any signs of stress, I will return them. However, this weekend.. my 2 buddies are doing a water change, and they said they will drop some buckets off at my house when they are done. Both tanks have been running for 2+ years. Would it be a good idea to use their water?

Thanks for all the help

Jfish · #6 06-18-2010, 05:40 AM

It is possible to cycle with fish however it is frowned upon because when the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels rise it becomes stressful for the fish. They are hardy fish and may appear healthy now but after several weeks of unfavorable levels they may start to stress.
Im not 100% sure on adding mature water from other systems so i'll let someone else help ya with that one. I guess it could contain some beneficial bacteria however it could also include other nasties you dont want to add to your system.

Sumfingwong · #7 06-18-2010, 05:48 AM

very true. However, both their tanks are in pristine condition. They baby the sh!t out of their tanks lol

naesco · #8 06-19-2010, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sumfingwong

He told me I can use Damsels, and I have read where people can use them. They seem happy, and not stressed.. they are super blue right now. If I see any signs of stress, I will return them. However, this weekend.. my 2 buddies are doing a water change, and they said they will drop some buckets off at my house when they are done. Both tanks have been running for 2+ years. Would it be a good idea to use their water?

Thanks for all the help

He was wrong and if he is a LFS run don't walk to another LFS. If you are new to the hobby it is easy to make mistakes when you rely on people who should know better.
The ARE being stressed.

fishytime · #9 06-20-2010, 02:03 PM

water contains zero beneficial bacteria........all you will be getting from your friend is used water.....as soon as that rock hits the air it will have die off and adding 50 pounds to a tank that has already started cycling will cause another cycle......I agree with naesco.......bad lfs advice about the damsels....