Cycling has started... now what?

[S.Pepper]

I'm using Dr. Tim's bacteria and ammonia; the ammonia and bacteria were put in the tank this morning. It's self-explanatory and don't have any questions about that at this point. I have about 35lbs of dry rock with 1.5" base of Caribsea Fiji Pink live sand.

I'm in no hurry. However long it takes, is how long it takes to cycle. I would really like to wait until the first of December before putting any livestock in the aquarium. I'm really interested in a tank full of zoas and palys with some fish--maybe just a pair of seahorses.

If I wait until the beginning of December to put any livestock in the aquarium, will i need to do something to feed the good bacteria; and do I need to put a CUC or wait until i'm ready to put corals and fish/seahorses? Thx

 

[Billldg]

You can use Dr Tims ammonia concentrate to feed the bacteria until you start to get a load in the tank. Don’t dose ammonia in the tank when u start to put in the Cuc as it will kill them.

 

[S.Pepper]

You can use Dr Tims ammonia concentrate to feed the bacteria until you start to get a load in the tank. Don’t dose ammonia in the tank when u start to put in the Cuc as it will kill them.

Thx. I'm waiting to put my protein skimmer in the sump as Dr. Tim's directions advise not to use any media, including the socks, for the first 48 hours. Do i really need to use a protein skimmer at this point?

 

[Billldg]

Thx. I'm waiting to put my protein skimmer in the sump as Dr. Tim's directions advise not to use any media, including the socks, for the first 48 hours. Do i really need to use a protein skimmer at this point?

I wouldn’t hook up the skimmer yet, without a load their isn’t anything to pull out.

 

[Salty Lemon]

I'm using Dr. Tim's bacteria and ammonia; the ammonia and bacteria were put in the tank this morning. It's self-explanatory and don't have any questions about that at this point. I have about 35lbs of dry rock with 1.5" base of Caribsea Fiji Pink live sand.

I'm in no hurry. However long it takes, is how long it takes to cycle. I would really like to wait until the first of December before putting any livestock in the aquarium. I'm really interested in a tank full of zoas and palys with some fish--maybe just a pair of seahorses.

If I wait until the beginning of December to put any livestock in the aquarium, will i need to do something to feed the good bacteria; and do I need to put a CUC or wait until i'm ready to put corals and fish/seahorses? Thx

Make certain you test your water before putting in fish/corals. Please don't assume that just because it is the beginning of December that your tank is ready. Waiting is the hardest part -- as everyone on this forum knows. I'm glad to read that you are aware of patience. It is so much fun to start up a new tank. Keep us up-to-date as to how it is going. Good luck!

 

[IslandLifeReef]

I agree with everything the @Billldg said. I would add the skimmer a week or two before you add fish to let the skimmer break in. @Bulk Reef Supply has videos about the @WWC method where they wait almost 4 months before adding any livestock. It might be worth your time to check it out.

 

[S.Pepper]

Make certain you test your water before putting in fish/corals. Please don't assume that just because it is the beginning of December that your tank is ready. Waiting is the hardest part -- as everyone on this forum knows. I'm glad to read that you are aware of patience. It is so much fun to start up a new tank. Keep us up-to-date as to how it is going. Good luck!

Yup, I will be testing during the cycling process based on Dr. Tim's advice. Additionally, one of the reasons i'm giving myself at least 6 weeks before introducing livestock, is to make sure my water parameters are stable. Like i said, I'm in no hurry. I've spent tens upon tens of hours over the last 1.5 months getting to this point. The last thing i want to do is screw it all up now. Thx!

P.S. Everything will be on my build thread.

 

[Billldg]

Your already starting off better than most of us, LOL!!!

 

[S.Pepper]

I agree with everything the @Billldg said. I would add the skimmer a week or two before you add fish to let the skimmer break in. @Bulk Reef Supply has videos about the @WWC method where they wait almost 4 months before adding any livestock. It might be worth your time to check it out.

Thx. I can't tell you how many BRS videos I've watched. lol I probably spent 15-20 hours alone learning about protein skimmers and then deciding on which one would work best for me.

 

[BeejReef]

I think you'll really enjoy this hobby. Binging on all the wisdom out there is really fun. Watching it happen in your own tank and understanding the conceptual framework of what you're seeing is even better. You'll feel like the Oracle when you anticipate new events.

From my noobly persepctive, there really isn't any "stability" to be had on a young tank. That's for peeps with 2+yr established tanks that have settled in and go through incremental changes. Going slower and more deliberately increases our chances of only having to deal with one issue at a time.

 

[lapin]

Yep going slow is a good thing. There will be plenty of time down the road for you to mess it up if you want *-*