New 28 Hex Reef Tank Help

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ib2000

Guest
HEY GUYS...NEED A LITLE HELP I'M NEW TO THE SITE AND SALTWATER FISH....I STARTED MY BUILD ON SUNDAY. cURRENTLY I HAVE A 340 GPH HANG ON FILTER...LIVE SAND...SALTWATER AND HEATER RUNNING...WATER IS EXTRA CLEAR RIGHT NOW...JUST ORDERED MY PROTEIN SKIMMER....HOW DO I KNOW IF MY TANK STARTED CYCLING?....I'M GETTING MY LIVE ROCK IN 2 WEEKS...SHOULD I CURE IT IN THE TANK OR SHOULD I HAVE DONE IT FIRST INSTEAD OF PUTTING THE LIVE SAND IN THE TANK?...GUYS CAN U HELP ME OUT?
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member
Welcome to SWF.com!!!!!
You know about you cycle by testing for ammonia nitrite and nitrate.
May as well put it inot the tank and do the curing there. The die-off from the rock will help to initiate the cycling. Just make sure to tank some newly mixed saltwater in a bucket or other clean container outside the tank and swhish the rocks around in it to dislodge any loose material first. Also take the time to look for any unwated algae, dead smelly sponge, or critters you don't want in your tank and remove them.
When placing the rock in your tank make sure you give them some twisting motion to get them down to the bottom so that any sand digging critters can't tunnel under them and cause and avalanche.
 
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ib2000

Guest
Okay Cool...so When I Get My Premium Fiji Rock From Swf....it Will Be Alright To Cure It In My Tank Right Away As Long As I Follow What U Just Told Me...cool....how Long Does It Usually Take The Tank To Cycle Once I Add The Live Rock In There?
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member
Normally the initial cycle will take anywhere from 4-6 weeks or so. There are so many variables though that trying to go by time is just not accurate. Your tank will have cycled when your testing shows it has.
 
montecarloz38

montecarloz38

New Member
At my local pet store they sell this "live bacteria" that cost around $30. Make sure if your store sells it, it is refrigerated. This will accelerate your cycle down to less then a week. Also buying cheap damsel is the best instead of an expensive tang. See if the fish lives for a week.
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member
I will disagree here. Don't waste your money on the bacteria let the tank cycle naturally. Also do not add anything you don't want to keep. Damsels are very aggressive and most people are sorry they add them in the end.
 
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ib2000

Guest
Okay...it's day 3 and I did my first water test and looks like my api ammonia test kit came back at 0 level which is a good sign.....is it too early to say that reading is accurate?
 
seschaefer

seschaefer

Member
With the ammonia being 0, it is more than likely that they cycle has not started yet. You will have a pretty significant spike before it levels out and makes it safe for living creatures. Unless you are using water, rock and sand from an already established tank.
You should also be checking nitrates and nitrites daily along with the ammonia.
Take your time and read the posts at the top of this forum. It will help you understand everything. I still read them every now and again for a refresh.
Keep asking questions, I am not the most experienced, but will be glad to give any advise that I can.
 
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ib2000

Guest
OKAY...cool...went to a local fish store this morning and got some live rock to start the cycle....also inserted my hydor koralia 1 pump to get some movement in the water....so now it's monday morning and the rock has been in there for almost 2 full days and the water has cleared back up after moving the sand around...test kit in the mail should be getting it anyday now so i can start testing my water....i attatched some pics...too...




 
trouble93

trouble93

Member
Originally Posted by montecarloz38
http:///forum/post/3097141
At my local pet store they sell this "live bacteria" that cost around $30. Make sure if your store sells it, it is refrigerated. This will accelerate your cycle down to less then a week. Also buying cheap damsel is the best instead of an expensive tang. See if the fish lives for a week.
Not to be harsh, but this is bad information. If you take short cuts from the begaining you are shooting yourself in the foot. Nothing good happens in this hobby overnight!!! And to do this to a damsel or any fish for that matter is just not cool.
 
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ib2000

Guest
Nah i didn't follow that information...thats my tank i took pics of last nite...no damsel nor live bacteria....just live rock, sand, hob, and a power head currently running
 
trouble93

trouble93

Member
If you added live rock you do have some bacteria. You plan to add some more LR right? After you add the new LR there are two ways to cycle your tank. A hard cycle is to let all water levels get as high as they will go and let them come down on there own this give you a very good bacteria base. Or a soft cycle by doing a 10% a week until all of your levels reach 0 ppm. eather way it will take a few weeks. Just remember this "you finsh like you start out". In this hobby time is your best friend. Don't rush it!
 
rcdude1990

rcdude1990

Active Member
i would not lean any liverock against the glass, i heard it may cause the tank to crack, dnt put it against the glass IMO
 
I

ib2000

Guest
I Have It Like That Until The Tank Cycles...them I'm Going To Reset The Rocks
 
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