Cycling... Lights?

[kevvypoop313]

I got my live rock today... 150 lbs of it. I also got my 80 lbs. of live sand. I laid the live sand in the tank, then pre cleaned the live rock and laid it on top of my live sand. This is okay right?
I am cycling the tank now right? Power heads on, heater on... lights on or off?
Any help would be appreciated... thank you
kevin

 

[1journeyman]

You actually want your rock sitting on the bottom of the tank to avoid critters burrowing under and causing an avalanche.
I would run your lights for at least a few hours a day. Some don't, but I believe it's important to try to keep things as natural as possible.
Run skimmer, all powerheads, and watch for ammonia spike. Do a water change anytime ammonia approaches 1ppm.

 

[ncacura]

I have to disagree with the above post....I'd keep you lights on like he said for a couple hours a day, but keep off your skimmer and if you have a UV filter keep that off as well. The reason for keeping these off is because they often kill off or get rid of a lot of the bacteria that helps your tank cycle quicker. With a skimmer on and UV on, your killing off bacteria which helps your tank cycle and it will take a long time to cycle. I've always put the rock on top of the sand and never had a problem, but I guess it makes sense to put it on the bottom, but it should be fine at the top. If you want you could buy a couple damsels right away and get them in your tank before it really starts to cycle, they're pretty much the only fish that will survive a cycle. but they will also help in the cycling process...good luck.

 

[bang guy]

I agree 100% with Journeyman and disagree 100% that any fish should be introduced to an uncycled aquarium. I don't know where the UV topic came up??
I have cycled reef aquariums for almost 30 years and I believe I have made just about every possible mistake. I'm well versed in what not to do when cycling a reef tank.

 

[1journeyman]

Bacteria is found in only very small amounts free swimming. Skimming, water changes, etc. do not adversly affect a cycle. Your bacteria is found on the surface areas of your tank; Rock, substrate, glass, etc.
Damsels are hardy, but they also suffer from the effects of a cycling tank. Do not add them.

 

[ncacura]

I'm going to have to disagree......i've cycled three tanks with damsels in it, they never died on me.....they also help to move the cycle quicker...

 

[1journeyman]

Originally Posted by ncacura
I'm going to have to disagree......i've cycled three tanks with damsels in it, they never died on me.....they also help to move the cycle quicker...
I've heard this argument before, but never had it explained to me. The fact that Damsels are not immune to the affects of Ammonia cannot be argued. Ammonia can kill them. So can the wild slide of pH that is sometimes seen in a cycling tank.
How does a Damsel speed up a cycle?

 

[ncacura]

Damsels are the hardiest fish, and the reason they usually don't die is because of that. As long as you put them in before your tank starts to cycle they will be fine. The reason they help cycling is because of the fact if your feeding them they're eating, producing waste, more basterica is forming in your tank, the more bacteria in the tank the quicker the tank will cycle. that's all, nothing special about them that makes it cycle quicker.

 

[1journeyman]

You are right in that there needs to be an ammonia source. That said, uncured live rock, ghost feeding, or a raw piece of shrimp will all accomplish the same thing. The benefit is that you don't potentially kill a fish or have to get a territorial monster out of your tank when the cycle is over.
Damsels are woefully inappropriate for the average reef aquarium as they typically get too mean.

 

[bang guy]

Originally Posted by ncacura
I'm going to have to disagree......i've cycled three tanks with damsels in it, they never died on me.....they also help to move the cycle quicker...
How many tanks have you cycled without Damsels?
How many brain damaged Damsels have you ended up with?
Why would you enjoy torturing a fish when ammonia can come from fish food as easily as from a fish. It's also easier to control ammonia levels with food vs a fish.

 

[sh00tist]

Damsels are a no no for cycling,has this not been settled yet? If for no other reason than you have to tear your tank apart to get them out of there afterwards,and you cant leave them in unless you are thinking fish only. I wouldnt worry about an ammonia source,if you just put 150 lbs. of true live rock into your tank there will be more than enough decaying matter allready present to start the cycle. I would give the tank a few hours light each day so you dont lose any or all of the coraline algae that should be present on your rock. Dont go too much on your lights or it will be hair algae city in a couple of days. Take your time,dont rush it, dont worry if you finish your cycle 4 days earlier,this is a tank you should look to be keeping for 10-20-30 years,do it once the right way.I would start skimming a week before you begin to add the cleanup crew. Any sooner wont make much difference. When you start on the 'crew' think diversity. Snails:3 or 4 turbos,4 or 5 margarita,4 or 5 trochus,8 or 10 nassarius. Crabs:6 or 8 blue leg,4 or 5 red leg,2 emerald,1-2 sally lightfoot,red(not green)serpant star,brittle star...see where Im going with this? :}