Biocube 14 Cycle

[mnikes04]

Hello,

New to saltwater. I got a Biocube 14 for free with the stand and have decided to try my hand at a saltwater tank. I have be doing a lot of research.

This is where I am at now. I have the tank setup with live sand, water and an 8lb Caribsea Liferock. Got through the cloudy stage now the water is nice and clear.

I want to start the cycle but there is so much out there and different ways to do this. My understanding with the Liferock is that it has everything you need to cycle itself but that was one thread I read. Another said to put Dr Tims in to give it a jolt of ammonia. Then my local pet store rep said to just put some Damsels in to start the cycle after a couple days. My head is spinning right now. Just looking for best practices to get this cycled. Not even thinking about coral yet.

Thanks for your help on this

 

[Silent]

Whatever is easiest for you. You could buy a small live rock from LFS to start it off or just dump a little ammonia in there and give it a month. Best to keep ammonia below 4ppm if possible. There are bacterias you can add but you need to keep ammonia in there for food for them.

 

[BedrockIOMC]

Its whichever way you want to go really. There are a lot of ways to go with it but you need to get it to process 2 parts of ammonia in a 24 hr period. With me the dr. tims is faster but if your wanting a fish now go that way. Those fish are tougher but you can still kill him while it is cycling. Just remember to go slow and don't jump to fast with things, let your tank grow like a child.

 

[mnikes04]

Whatever is easiest for you. You could buy a small live rock from LFS to start it off or just dump a little ammonia in there and give it a month. Best to keep ammonia below 4ppm if possible. There are bacterias you can add but you need to keep ammonia in there for food for them.

The Liferock that I added was supposed to have the bacteria painted on it. The fish store said put it in the tank then by a couple Damsels. Not sure about using live stock to cycle a tank plus I dont really want to have Damsels when it is done cycling.

 

[mnikes04]

Its whichever way you want to go really. There are a lot of ways to go with it but you need to get it to process 2 parts of ammonia in a 24 hr period. With me the dr. tims is faster but if your wanting a fish now go that way. Those fish are tougher but you can still kill him while it is cycling. Just remember to go slow and don't jump to fast with things, let your tank grow like a child.

Thanks. Not worried about the speed of the cycle. Just want to do whats right with the Liferock and not add chemicals that may not be needed and as I said earlier would rather not use fish that I dont want in the tank anyway to cycle if there are better alternatives.

 

[BedrockIOMC]

Welcome to the hobby and to R2R as well. THere is a lot of info out there and it can be confusing but remember there isnt just one way to do things here and just because something you have done doesnt work dont give up just try something else. THere isnt a set of rules to go by with a tank. you have to find what works for you.

Feel free to send a direct message if you ever want too. I will always do what I can to help and if I don't know I will point you in the right direction to find out. Congrats on the free tank to start with.

 

[Malifry97]

WELCOME!!! Also, the simplest way to add ammonia is to just add a little food each day (called ghost feeding) This will be enough ammonia to sustain the bacteria populations! Happy Reefing!

 

[mnikes04]

Finally cycled and added my clowns. Will see how they do.

 

[Katrina71]

Move your powerhead to the other side. You're fighting your filter intake there. Beautiful scape and baby clowns! We started with the same tank in 8 gallons.

 

[Katrina71]

Btw, if you're using the stock CF lights, you can grow much more than you'll be told you can. If you want the LED look, Steve's can still do them for you.

 

[mnikes04]

Thanks for the advice. I actually have a new powerhead coming today the is a little more powerful. Noticed some red slime but after keeping the lights off for a couple days it went away. Want more flow. Also any suggestions on corals and when I can start adding some?

 

[PacoPetty]

Welcome to R2R! Great start and I really like your aquascape.

 

[Katrina71]

What type are you planning? Mixed reef? You can add a coral now. Tell me what you like. Your parameters are going to fluctuate for a while, some corals are more forgiving than others. No sps yet.

 

[Katrina71]

I highly recommend chemipure blue in your tank too. Not elite.

 

[mnikes04]

What type are you planning? Mixed reef? You can add a coral now. Tell me what you like. Your parameters are going to fluctuate for a while, some corals are more forgiving than others. No sps yet.

My thought was soft corals easy to care for that will do well in the stock lighting.

 

[Katrina71]

You can grow almost anything with those lights. Just change them out regularly.

 

[Katrina71]

I wouldn't start with euphylia. They are moody.

 

[Katrina71]

I'd start with a mushroom. Low in the tank.

 

[mnikes04]

Any particular corals to start?

 

[mnikes04]

This is what i have so far.