Cycle question

[Olya_seaworld]

Hello reefers!
I am in the very beginning of my cycling process (week and a half). The 350l tank is filled with coral sand, 25kg live rocks and natural seawater from supplier (it should be filled with million forms of live bacteria per gallon, but who knows ) . I decided to skip the protein skimmer for now, just the mechanical filtration (internal filter) and the heater are on. The thing is that I am a bit worried about the water circulation, because I have no power head or wavemaker (my intention was to add one of them when start stocking the tank). The water is actually crystal clear, just on the surface I can see some kind of residue spots. So, do I need to install powerhead/wavemaker to add some water movement during the cycle or there is no need to do this for now. Also, currently I test only for ammonia, because I am waiting for it to rise before start checking for nitrates, nitrites etc. Please share your thoughts, I will be more than happy to hear some advises.
P.S. I noticed yesterday one tiny asterina star, climbing the rocks. This should be a good sign, right? At least I have something alive I am actually able to see

 

[IslandLifeReef]

First about the powerhead, yes, add one. You need to at least have surface movement for gas exchange in the water.

Now, about the natural seawater. It probably has some useful bacteria in it, but the majority of the bacteria that we want in our tanks lives in the sand and rocks, not in the water column.

The next question is, was the live rock you purchased wet or dry? If it was wet, then you are well on your way. If dry, then it really isn't "live" rock.

Do you already have fish or other live animals in the tank other than the star you mentioned?

 

[Olya_seaworld]

First about the powerhead, yes, add one. You need to at least have surface movement for gas exchange in the water.

Now, about the natural seawater. It probably has some useful bacteria in it, but the majority of the bacteria that we want in our tanks lives in the sand and rocks, not in the water column.

The next question is, was the live rock you purchased wet or dry? If it was wet, then you are well on your way. If dry, then it really isn't "live" rock.

Do you already have fish or other live animals in the tank other than the star you mentioned?

Thank you for the quick reply! Wavemaker or power head would be better? I really liked Jecod SOW-8... Regarding the Live rocks, yes, the guy in the fish store let me personally choose the pieces-they were in water with working skimmer and everything. I put them immediately in the tank. About other living things- nope. As far as I know, I have to wait until the cycle is done, and then gradually to stock the tank with fish etc.

 

[IslandLifeReef]

Thank you for the quick reply! Wavemaker or power head would be better? I really liked Jecod SOW-8... Regarding the Live rocks, yes, the guy in the fish store let me personally choose the pieces-they were in water with working skimmer and everything. I put them immediately in the tank. About other living things- nope. As far as I know, I have to wait until the cycle is done, and then gradually to stock the tank with fish etc.

A power head would be fine, maybe better. You want to see turbulence on the surface of the water. Since this was live rock straight from an established tank, you may not see the typical cycle numbers. I would consider slowly adding your live animals and maybe adding some bottle bacteria if you want. Just take it slow, no more than a couple coral or a couple fish at a time.

 

[Olya_seaworld]

A power head would be fine, maybe better. You want to see turbulence on the surface of the water. Since this was live rock straight from an established tank, you may not see the typical cycle numbers. I would consider slowly adding your live animals and maybe adding some bottle bacteria if you want. Just take it slow, no more than a couple coral or a couple fish at a time.

Thank you! Yesterday I tested the water and it showed: 0.2 Ammonia, 0 Nitrite and 2 Nitrate. Any idea which state of the cycle is this? Because the previous tests showed Ammonia from 0 to 0.2, and 0 nitrites and 0 nitrates. But now I have some Nitrates, which I believe is a good sign?

 

[IslandLifeReef]

Thank you! Yesterday I tested the water and it showed: 0.2 Ammonia, 0 Nitrite and 2 Nitrate. Any idea which state of the cycle is this? Because the previous tests showed Ammonia from 0 to 0.2, and 0 nitrites and 0 nitrates. But now I have some Nitrates, which I believe is a good sign?

Which test kit are you using? With API, it has been shown time and again that 0.25 could actually be 0.0 ppm.

As far as what stage you are in goes, it's hard to tell. Starting with live rock may mean that you are already cycled.

Showing NO3 with 0.0 NO2 is a good sign. My best guess is you could add a fish or two and monitor.

 

[Olya_seaworld]

Which test kit are you using? With API, it has been shown time and again that 0.25 could actually be 0.0 ppm.

As far as what stage you are in goes, it's hard to tell. Starting with live rock may mean that you are already cycled.

Showing NO3 with 0.0 NO2 is a good sign. My best guess is you could add a fish or two and monitor.

I use Marine Care multi test kit, the brand is Red Sea (from the LFS). After I get my power head and skimmer, I could add a pair of clownfish then. Any recommendations about when my first 100l change of water should be? Before or after adding the fishes? Thanks again about all the advices!

 

[IslandLifeReef]

I use Marine Care multi test kit, the brand is Red Sea (from the LFS). After I get my power head and skimmer, I could add a pair of clownfish then. Any recommendations about when my first 100l change of water should be? Before or after adding the fishes? Thanks again about all the advices!

Yes, I don't think there would be a problem with a pair of clown fish in a tank that size. You could do the water change either before or after. Before adding fish would be less stressful on the fish.

100L seems like a lot of water to change unless there is something in the water you are trying to get rid of. 10% should be enough. I change 10% of my water every other week.

 

[Garf]

I use Marine Care multi test kit, the brand is Red Sea (from the LFS). After I get my power head and skimmer, I could add a pair of clownfish then. Any recommendations about when my first 100l change of water should be? Before or after adding the fishes? Thanks again about all the advices!

Sounds like you’re good to go. If you’ve got an LFS where the fish don’t look healthy, buy from somewhere else. I would do a small weekly waterchange a week after adding fish (to get your method sorted) and increase it as your nitrate test indicates a build up.