Reef Tank Cycling Help!

[standup]

hey all! i haven't posted in quite a while, but i have a question, because i finally got to get started on my reef tank in my room! yay ) okay, heres the situation:
i have a 40 gallon (give or take) tank, set up, filter, stand, protein skimmer, powerhead 402, whole bit. its filled with salt water, the hydrometer tests that its fine, i have 40lbs of live sand in the bottom (LFS said 1lb/gallon live sand) and i have 2 pieces of live rock, about 10lbs (one of the pieces has several what LOOKS like pink tipped anenomes that tagged along) that i got about a week ago, my question being this: how long would it take my tank to cycle? lfs recommended live rock as opposed to damsels because i'd just have to recatch the damsels later and it would be a pain with the live rock there, so to just let the live rock cycle the tank, but how long would it take? the rock has been sitting in my tank for about a week or so
i thought of using the water quality test kits, but i remember my dad's tank spiking before it was fully cycled, and if mine tested fine now, i wouldn't know if it spiked already, because i havent been testing it all the way thru the cycling process. that, and if it is any indication, the anenomes seem to be doing fine, i counted 4 of them spread along the rock, tho they might just be pollyp's, but they look like anenomes *shrug*
if u guys have any advice on what i could look for and do or how long i should wait before adding things like shrimp snails or other things just let me know, thanks!!

 

[dima96]

first off i would add as much of the lr you want now. this is to prevent a another cycle down the road. second i would make sure the anenomes aren't aptasia now and if they are deal with them asap. after doing this i would retest and once the test are stable start adding snails crab etc. then a week or two later add fish, just test often to make sure the water is ok. hth

 

[flydan]

Hey,
Sounds like aiptasia to me also. One of the first critters you could add would be a Peppermint shrimp. They eat small aiptasia and are good scavangers. I have heard a few complaints about them nipping at coral polyps, but generally people seem to like them in reef tanks.
Dan'l

 

[beaslbob]

well I don't know if you are going to put any fish in there or not. But if you do then wait at least three weeks for parasites (ICH) do die off.
I recommend cycling with mollies or other live fish not dead shrimp.

 

[overanalyzer]

Originally posted by beaslbob
well I don't know if you are going to put any fish in there or not. But if you do then wait at least three weeks for parasites (ICH) do die off.
I recommend cycling with mollies or other live fish not dead shrimp.
Sounds like you are cycling already so you don't need any fish - living or dead.
I too would highly recommend getting rid of the aptasia (do a search Timsedwards did a great thread on its removal) and also add some more live rock if you are going for a reef tank (1-1.5 pounds per gallon depending upon how dense the rock is).
Patience now pays off in great dividends!

 

[standup]

so it's safe to add a couple of cleaner shrimps to pick off the aptasia now? or should i wait some? also, thanks for the advice on adding more LR ASAP to prevent a second cycle, overlooked that, good call!

 

[standup]

peppermint shrimp, got it, hehe

 

[bang guy]

Originally posted by beaslbob
I recommend cycling with mollies or other live fish not dead shrimp.
Why on earth would you subject a fish to such hostile conditions when the live rock will cycle the tank better that a live fish?
Standup - You're doing great. I agree with all of the posters except beaslbob. If you're going to want more rock then now is the time to add it.

 

[overanalyzer]

Originally posted by standup
peppermint shrimp, got it, hehe
not yet - wait until your tank finishes the cycle!