WB20
New Member
Hi everyone! New guy here. My question is. After adding live sand, live rock and salt water, should I run the system a certain amount of time before adding the bacteria? This is my first saltwater tank, 20-gal cube. Thanks!
before the cycle
- Thread starter WB20
- Start date
- Tagged users None
randomfishdude
Valuable Member
Nope. You should add it almost immediately with a little bit of fish food or if you have ammonia products.
The_Paradox
Valuable Member
Personally I’d save the bottle for down the road if needed, eg the ugly phase. If you have true live rock you should start seeing the tank cycle pretty much right away (12-24h). If you want to add it now though it won’t do any harm.
Gumbies R Us
Certified Noob
I added the live sand to my tank and then started to add bottled ammonia soon afterward.
randomfishdude
Valuable Member
Definately don't do what i did with one of my tanks, but I got to say
That I managed to have fish in my 3rd tank within 1 week. I used mb7 and dosed a little daily.
But I would recommend waiting at least 3 weeks before fish. But adding bottled bacteria helps speed up the cycle.
That I managed to have fish in my 3rd tank within 1 week. I used mb7 and dosed a little daily.
But I would recommend waiting at least 3 weeks before fish. But adding bottled bacteria helps speed up the cycle.
If your using real live sand and rock you shouldn't need bacteria as it will be in the sand and rock.
The_Paradox
Valuable Member
That’s just rock. Add the bacteria.
