Cycling tank........

[carorella88]

Ok, I have the basic Idea of tank cycling. The whole Ammonia spike, nitrite spike, and then nitrates, but how should I go about all this? I have a 4g gal. So, I am getting regular sand, live rock, an emporer power filter, a berlin airlift protein skimmer. And a nice heater,,, if anyone has any suggestions let me know. I have one in mind though. Anyway, I have questions, should I put in the power filter to start with? Can I put un-cured live rock in that will cure during the cycle? And do I leave the lights on or off? Not to mention, is it okay if I have powerheads going during the cycle? Also, little extra question..... How will I knoow if there is a dead spot in my tank?? ANY HELP AT ALL PLEASE!!!! <img src="graemlins//confused.gif" border="0" alt="[confused]" /> <img src="graemlins//confused.gif" border="0" alt="[confused]" /> <img src="graemlins//angel.gif" border="0" alt="[angel]" />

 

[mr . salty]

Let's see if I can get all your Q's...First off,I hope you mean you have a 40 gallon not a 4 gallon tank....YES,The uncured rock will help the cycle to get going,and the rock itself will cure as the tank cycles...The filter and powerheads should be running during the cycle,but NOT the skimmer.Wait on the skimmer till the cycle is done...You should be able to spot any dead spots by looking for accumulated waste on the substrate....This is a good clue(no current to wash the waste away)...The lights being on is a good question.If you ask 10 diferent people,,,you will get 10 diferent ideas on this one...I would have them on for 5-8 hours per day....

 

[carorella88]

ok, haha just kidding, that was supposed to be 46 gallons....

 

[ruaround]

To add to MR. SALTY's advice...do NOT do a water change until the tank is cycled...i would even wait a week or so after the first reading of 0 ppm nitrIte and any reading of nitrAte. I would wait another few weeks to get the bio filtration in full force before you add any inhabitants. Then get a solid clean-up crew, wait a while then start stocking very very slowly! Patience is the key in this hobby...wait, read, wait, read and wait somemore...
What are your plans for the tank???

 

[slick]

why do you say to not run the skimmer while the rock is curing. I have 90lbs of uncured lr in my tank and I'm running my skimmer

 

[ruaround]

You would just be wasting your "energy" with the skimmer in a cycling tank. The skimmer would take out most everything you need to cycle the tank. Hopefully, while your tank is cycling you shouldnt have anything in the tank that would need the bacteria n such to be removed. But there isnt any one way to cycle a tank...so if you want it on leave it.

 

[ohscc]

I ran my skimmer when I cycled my tank with dead shrimp too. I think you can do it either way though. As long as you get the spikes.

 

[rick58]

Ofcourse you can cycle your tank with a skimmer going - however, you will get a better result without it running (a harder cycle). The more stuff that needs be acted on biologically the better at this point (more of the bacteria you are trying to breed). Later, after the cycle but befor you add livestock, is a better time to start skimming. JMO.

 

[mr . salty]

Personally I dont think a skimmer is needed till enough fish have been added to justify running it.After all,fish waste is mostly what a skimmer is designed to remove...Till then it is really doing nothing more than adding O2 to the water...

 

[wrassecal]

I agree with Mr. Salty, I didn't add my skimmer until I started adding fish...if you haven't already bought it save your $ til you need it.