Cycling a biocube29 for over two months now

Tds0 · Oct 1, 2017

The tanks has now been sitting empty besides some pellet food applied from time to time for over the past two months . A little lighting but not much .
The tank has 0 live rock but two large spongefilters in the 2nd chamber
Thinking of adding my fish in the tank tonight

How much water change would you all recommend ? 50% ?

Ranjib · Oct 1, 2017

Does not matter, 50% is good. You plan to add live rock ? How deep is the sand bed?

JoshH · Oct 1, 2017

Any test results? Ideally you want 0 ammonia 0 nitrites and whatever your nitrate levels are should dictate how large of a water change to do. And you really shouldn't add any fish without testing your water and knowing exactly where your tank is in the cycling process. You say you have no rock in your tank, is there a particular reason for this?

Tds0 · Oct 1, 2017

0 sand and no plans on adding live rock
I have 3 other 29 biocubes with 0 liverocknand sand and they doing fine

thaitopher · Oct 1, 2017

You can't really cycle a tank without sand or live rock. Might as well gdt out of the hobby then. Terrible idea what you are doing. Minimally add 1.5 pounds of live rock for every gallon of water.

Piranhapat · Oct 2, 2017

Before putting fish make sure you know your good to go. Must likely your done. In your case sounds like the sponge in filter is only place where bacteria can grow. Depends on your nitrates level to see how much of a WC is needed.

Tds0 · Oct 2, 2017

thaitopher said:
You can't really cycle a tank without sand or live rock. Might as well gdt out of the hobby then. Terrible idea what you are doing. Minimally add 1.5 pounds of live rock for every gallon of water.

I've never had a problem yet and I got 5 fish tanks with zero rock or sand .
I've added food to help kickstart the cycle
Usually only go 1 month for a cycle but have been busy so the tank this time has cycled for 2.5 months