Reef Jump start

[surfinsam]

hey guys I am new here and wanted to know if this is a good idea. My lfs is telling me that since I wantto go reef that I can use some the water that has already been established from their several tanks to make up the 70 gallons that I need and that would "jump start " the cycle for me making the time frame before I can add hardy corals shorter. Is this true? or are they trying to get more money from me by buying their already established water? If it is true what time line am I looking at before adding something to the tank?

 

[quazi]

Does this guy want to sell you used water
If so, do not go for it. You need "seed" sand and live rock, but old water - no. Make up your own fresh water. DO use RO/DI water to make up your salt water. Buy it if you need to, but if you are serious about reef keeping, buy one - even if you have to go into debt.
Are you starting a reef tank from scratch? Or do you have a Fish only tank now??

 

[surfinsam]

I have a 10 gallon going righ now as my 30 gallon broke so I have them in there while my tank is being set up. I think he meant the water from their display tank along with the sand and live rock. Why can't I use the estabkished water from their reef tank? 4give my ignorance in this matter but I thought that since it was established and had bacteria already swimming around in there along with the live sand and live rock it would be ok. I am wrong? Is he wrong?

 

[surfinsam]

I hope my LFS is nottrying to rip me off here. I jsut want to return to this hobby and enjoy it.
Thanks for your input I was not questioning the person who replied to my thread I was questioning the LFS salesman.
Just wanted to make sure no one got the wrong idea about my last question.

 

[spankr]

The bacteria is in your live rock and your substrate. Water has little to do with the normal cycling process.

 

[coral boy]

I would put there LS and LR in your tank and fill your tank with half of there water then fill it the rest of the way with fresh saltwater. If you do that you might not have a cycle, but i would wait and see before you put any fish in there

 

[surfinsam]

thank you guys. I appreciate it. does anyone cement or glue their rock formations together and what glue do you use? Can you glue Corals to the rock?

 

[spankr]

I have never glued my rock. I just arrange it so it won't fall over. As for Corals, I have never had any so I don't know.

 

[jonthefb]

you can use epoxy to stick rock together as well as to "glue" corals in place. just go to home depot and pick up a stick of Aqua Mend epoxy putty. the stuff works great and ive been usign it in my tanks for 2 years now!
good luck
jon

 

[maroonclownfan]

If you were to use the LFS water, LR, and LS then you would basically be setting up THEIR tank. In that case, it shouldn't cycle. Theoretically. However, chances are that there will be some die off in the moving process and the sand bed disturbance, and you will have a small cycle, so you really didn't gain anything by using "established water."
Personally I would not pay extra for "established water." With enough cured LR and LS you won't have much of a cycle anyway.
Ultimately its your choice, but IMO its not worth the extra money, the majority of the beneficial bacteria is on the LR and LS, not the water.
Good luck.........MCF