Is live rock needed to cycle?

[player24]

I have a 30 gallon tank with 2 penguin 350b bio wheels and one 170gph power head running. The tank has been running for 1 week with 2 raw shrimp in it. At what point do I add the live rock? Is the live rock needed for the cycling process? What about the bulb for the live rock? 50/50??????
Thanks for all the help

 

[ophiura]

No, you do not specifically need LR to cycle a tank - you do not need LR at all...but it is better, IMO, for the fish if you do. I would add it ASAP as it will help with cycling the tank, and adding it after it is cycled can cause another cycle to occur. If you are going to add it, IMO, add it now.

 

[player24]

If I understand you correctly go ahead and add the live rock now. So your saying if I decided to add more live rock on a later date it will start the cycling process all over again??????

 

[player24]

I'm not sure what kind of lighting is needed for the rock?

 

[ophiura]

Originally posted by player24
If I understand you correctly go ahead and add the live rock now. So your saying if I decided to add more live rock on a later date it will start the cycling process all over again??????
Unless you were to buy fully cured rock, adding LR (usually more than a piece or two) at a later date can cause an ammonia spike in the tank. This is undesirable. So if you are going to add a substantial amount of LR, then I would do it while the tank is already cycling and the impact minimal. At this time, additional LR should help with the cycling of the tank.
As for lighting, well, it depends on your goals. No lighting is needed to keep it alive...but for growth of stuff, that is a bit different. What sort of lights do you have? Normal output? How many bulbs? You'll probably still get some growth.

 

[player24]

At the moment I don't have any lighting. I was planning on buying a strip light for the aquarium and purchase the bulb for the rock. ***** told me a 50/50 bulb would be good.

 

[stsweene]

Hey ophiura,
I just got in 33#'s of LR in the mail, it's still very damp, and doesnt smell foul at all, I know theres dead stuff in there somewhere though. My tanks in week 3 of the cylce, ammonia has come down, nitrites high, nitrates 20. I already have 10-15#'s in tank, The LR still has some micro-algae on it, do you think I should scrub it all off, or do a light brush over and drop it in? Thanks.