Cycling a new 47 gallon with Live Rock

[rkmayphd]

Hi all. I am new to saltwater (I have 2 Freshwater tanks). I set up a new 47 gallon bowfront 3 days ago. I plan on having a FOWLR, and using the LR to cycle. I am thinking about getting some live rock today and placing it in the tank.
The catch is this- I leave for vacation in 8 days. Part of me says that if I put i the live rock and monitor the tank for 8 days and then leave it alone for a week (while I am gone) it will help the impatience of wanting to rush things.
My question is this- am I nuts? Are there things that I should be doing to the tank during days 9-16 of the cycle that I obvioulsy could not do while out of town?
Any input would be appreciated.

 

[brainrush]

Some people say you need to do water changes during a tank cycle, but there are plenty of others (me included) that believe this prolongs the cycle and is not needed.
I see nothing wrong with leaving a cycling tank for the period of time you stated. As long as you see the levels creep up before you leave and everything is back to zero when you return, then things should be fine.

 

[rkmayphd]

Thanks for the info. Is there anything else that you can think of that I should add/do to help the process given that I will be gone?

 

[tim_12]

All you need to do is put the live rock in and wait. Personally I'd even throw a raw cocktail shrimp in there too for two days to be sure you're getting enough ammonia for an edequate cycle. Other than that, just test your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels every other day or so to know where you're at (dont worry about not testing while youre on vacation). I'd reccomend against water changes unless your water really starts to stink. Then change 5 gallons just so you dont have to deal with the smell. Or if your ammonia tests above 2ppm, which is a lot, change 5 gallons so you dont kill anything that might be living in the rock.

 

[moby]

Quick note,
Also remember to have a way to replenish the evaporated water while you are gone.
Does anyone owe you any favors?

If you cannot find someone to top off your tank while you are gone, you will need to find a way to set it up so it is done mechanically. Otherwise in a week you will come back and find your water too low and could hurt equipment such as power heads or pumps.
Moby

 

[tim_12]

Originally Posted by moby
Quick note,
Also remember to have a way to replenish the evaporated water while you are gone.
Does anyone owe you any favors?

If you cannot find someone to top off your tank while you are gone, you will need to find a way to set it up so it is done mechanically. Otherwise in a week you will come back and find your water too low and could hurt equipment such as power heads or pumps.
Moby
I loose about 5 gallons a week to evaporation in my 46 bowfront. As long as you dont have any pumps in the top few inches of your tank you'll be fine. Unplug any HOB filters if you have them (you dont even really need them anyways).

 

[mopar9012]

IMO evaporation will not be a problem while you are gone. dont put any lights on it.... you will still have evaporation but not nearly as much as you would with a light. my PC lightin drives me crazy with evaporation.

 

[flyersfan]

I set up a 55 gal fish w live rock had the filters runing,heater everything was set up, let the tank run for a week then ordered 25lbs of live rock put it in the tank then then watched the amonia spike a couple days later then the nitrite then nitrates up, then everything went down in the same order. 11 days of a cycle, that was it. Gave it a little bit tested it again, still good. I added a clown and yellow goby. Two and half months later everything is great.