How much LR can you add at 1 time?
- Thread starter kriss k
- Start date
woodymdt
Member
Originally posted by Kriss K
How much LR can you add at one time before (if at all) it will trigger a cycle??
The ongoing opinion is you can put up to 1 - 1 1/2 lb of LR per gallon of water. In your tank, you could go 50+ pounds easily.
I've read that many people start with a smaller amount and add LR as they go until they get all that they want. Others buy it all at one time.
I guess it's a budget thing, or personal preference.
woodymdt
Member
Originally posted by Kriss K
Thank you for responding so quickly...I have 23 lbs already, and I would like to put in another 20lbs or so tonight. Do you think it will be a problem. The only fish I have in the tank right now are 2 percs. Kriss
Has your tank already cycled?
If your tank hasn't already cycled, then you're best bet is to take the fish back. If you don't have a cycled tank, you're weeks away from having an environment that fish will live well in.
I might be misunderstanding your question.
How long have you had this tank setup? How long has the 23lb of LR been in the tank?
What are your current water test readings?
kriss k
Member
My tank has been through its cycle a few days ago. I added the 2 pers the following day. I did a partial water change last night, and I was wondering if I could put more LR in today. I will do my tests when I get home tonight. WHen I started my tank, I put in 40lbs of LS and 23lbs of LR the day after I put the inital salt water in.
woodymdt
Member
Originally posted by Kriss K
My tank has been through its cycle a few days ago. I added the 2 pers the following day. I did a partial water change last night, and I was wondering if I could put more LR in today. I will do my tests when I get home tonight. WHen I started my tank, I put in 40lbs of LS and 23lbs of LR the day after I put the inital salt water in.
Like I said earlier..I just don't think I got the question correctly.
snipe
Active Member
shame shame shame! Dont put as mutch in there as you would like to :nope: . If you put to mutch it will start a cycle and probly kill the stuff that is in the tank. If you have a precycled tank "that is what you have" I would suggest doing no more than 10lbs a week until you got what you wanted. If you do to mutch then here comes the amonia. I would only used cured rock to if you want to save money then you will have to cure it your self taking a few weeks just like cycling a tank.
kriss k
Member
Thanks Snipe
I appreciate your help. I think I will wait until this weekend, then I will just put in 10lbs. The LR that I started with from my LFS was cured...atleast that's what they told me. If by chance they lied and I put in uncured this weekend...I can take it out, put it in a bucket with some tank water and let it sit :notsure:
and I put in uncured this weekend...I can take it out, put it in a bucket with some tank water and let it sit :notsure:
mbrands
Member
Originally posted by Snipe
If you have a precycled tank "that is what you have" I would suggest doing no more than 10lbs a week until you got what you wanted.
I cycled my 55 gallon tank with 45 pounds of LR, then ordered another 45. I cured it myself in a 20 gallon Rubbermaid trashcan and added it all at once to the tank after about 2 weeks of curing. I added all 45 pounds from the second order at once and had zero issues. No losses and no spikes of anything.
mbrands
Member
hydro,
Depending on the amount of rock, get an adequately sized Rubbermaid trashcan. I used a 20 gallon for 45 pounds of rock and it worked out perfectly.
I had mine pre-mixed with salt when the rock arrived. I unpacked the rock and added it to the trashcan. You should have a powerhead for circulation and to help oxygen exchange and a heater to maintain a good temperature.
There is no specific amount of time. This would be like telling a new hobbyist their cycle will take exactly "x" number of days/weeks. The biggest time factor will be how much die-off there was during transportation. I got lucky and had little. I got the rock within 24 hours of it being packed.
This is where I've heard 2 methods. I followed method A:
A: Don't do anything to the water except keep the PH and heater running. Test the water in the trashcan for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates. When you get 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite, you can safely add the rock to your tank.
B: Do method A, except do a 20% water change every few days.
Hope this help! Good luck!
Depending on the amount of rock, get an adequately sized Rubbermaid trashcan. I used a 20 gallon for 45 pounds of rock and it worked out perfectly.
I had mine pre-mixed with salt when the rock arrived. I unpacked the rock and added it to the trashcan. You should have a powerhead for circulation and to help oxygen exchange and a heater to maintain a good temperature.
There is no specific amount of time. This would be like telling a new hobbyist their cycle will take exactly "x" number of days/weeks. The biggest time factor will be how much die-off there was during transportation. I got lucky and had little. I got the rock within 24 hours of it being packed.
This is where I've heard 2 methods. I followed method A:
A: Don't do anything to the water except keep the PH and heater running. Test the water in the trashcan for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates. When you get 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite, you can safely add the rock to your tank.
B: Do method A, except do a 20% water change every few days.
Hope this help! Good luck!