Q about tank Cycle

L

lampshade

AC Members
Feb 7, 2005
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Having set my 180lt tank up with all pumps and the skimmer and RO water, My LFS told me to come back next week with a sample of water so he could show me how to test the water and if it appears o.k I can put some LR in the tank.

I was just thinking, is'nt it best to cycle the tank with the LR in from the start, or are my filters and skimmer doing anything to the RO water now so they will be ready for the LR?

(sorry for the Newbie Q, still reading and learning)
 
Have you tested salinity? This is the primary parameter to concern yourself with when adding live rock, either cured or uncured. If the salinity is within range, adding uncured rock will begin the cycle--ammonia spike from rotting matter on the rock--as will adding some raw cocktail shrimp from the deli. Then comes testing for ammonia/nitrites, etc. I highly recommend getting your own test kit. They aren't hard to sue, come with instructions, and allow you to test at your convenience as needed.
 
you need to get something in the tank to start the cycle...if you don't want to wait a few months..very big tank.
get some bio spira-great stuff

i set up a 55 gl and 1 month and 2 weeks into the cycle..it got stuck and lagged in the nitrite cycle for 3 weeks.
add bio spira and 5 days later...fully cycled.

or go the all live rock method, it might take a little longer but that's what this hobby is all about...TIME.

have fun
 
Would adding "cured" live rock and bio spira at the same time work? I used the quotes because even though my LFS says the rock is cured I am not sure they know what they are talking about. Would there be enough die off from cured live rock to keep the bacteria from bio spira alive for say a week or two before I add fish? Thanks!
 
I followed some good advice here when I cycled my 75 FO tank and added some deli shrimp. The shrimp got the cycle going in fine fashion. It takes time and patience, real patience when you're chomping at the bit looking at a bare tank.

It took my tank five weeks to cycle. As for water testing, do your own. There are a number of good test kits out there that are beyond easy to use. There's no need to take water to the LFS for testing.
 
I added cured lr to my 55 immeadiately and it only took 18 days to cycle. I still waited another month before I added anything though.
 
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