Cycling Tank with Live Rock

[CoralReefer1019]

If using live rock and live sand will I still go through all the ugly stages before it gets better? I will also be using some microbacter7 to help the process before adding any livestock

 

[splitting_lanes]

The cycle won’t be as bad. you‘ll still have an ugly phase, not as ugly though

 

[CoralReefer1019]

The cycle won’t be as bad. you‘ll still have an ugly phase, not as ugly though

how long will it last? should i ghost feed in the mean time? any livestock? run lights?

 

[Murica]

More resilient fish will be fine, like damsels and clowns. Everything else I’d wait until the tank becomes more established.

I would run lights like normal, some people disagree but my feeling is the quicker the ugly phase comes, the quicker it’ll leave. Lights will fuel diatoms but they’ll clear out once the tank gets established. I’d wait before putting any corals in for at least a couple months

 

[CoralReefer1019]

More resilient fish will be fine, like damsels and clowns. Everything else I’d wait until the tank becomes more established.

I would run lights like normal, some people disagree but my feeling is the quicker the ugly phase comes, the quicker it’ll leave. Lights will fuel diatoms but they’ll clear out once the tank gets established. I’d wait before putting any corals in for at least a couple months

what types of live rock should I look into?

 

[CoralReefer1019]

More resilient fish will be fine, like damsels and clowns. Everything else I’d wait until the tank becomes more established.

I would run lights like normal, some people disagree but my feeling is the quicker the ugly phase comes, the quicker it’ll leave. Lights will fuel diatoms but they’ll clear out once the tank gets established. I’d wait before putting any corals in for at least a couple months

when should I add cleanup crew only gonna do snails?

 

[Murica]

when should I add cleanup crew only gonna do snails?

I would add only dry rock and seed with one small piece of live, you’ll tank yourself down the road when you’re not constantly battling hitch hikers. Porous rocks are usually better because of surface area, but any of the dry rock by the reputable retailers (like bulk reef supply) will do fine. Never use lava rock that you’d find at petco etc

I would only add a few snails at first.. maybe one per five gallons. There’s not enough food for the snails at first and depending on the type you get, they can starve themselves out fairly quickly. As the tank matures, usually a snail per gallon is a standard ratio. Depends on your tank though.. dirty tanks have more and clean can have less

 

[JohnnyKnuckles]

I've used the Carib Sea Seeded live rock and have great luck with it. Its pest free so you start with a fresh slate. However, you have to be in the market for the natural color. If your looking for white you may be limited to a different brand or less selection

 

[CoralReefer1019]

I would add only dry rock and seed with one small piece of live, you’ll tank yourself down the road when you’re not constantly battling hitch hikers. Porous rocks are usually better because of surface area, but any of the dry rock by the reputable retailers (like bulk reef supply) will do fine. Never use lava rock that you’d find at petco etc

I would only add a few snails at first.. maybe one per five gallons. There’s not enough food for the snails at first and depending on the type you get, they can starve themselves out fairly quickly. As the tank matures, usually a snail per gallon is a standard ratio. Depends on your tank though.. dirty tanks have more and clean can have less

someone said to only use live rock and to never use dry rock the bacteria in the live rock is better or something along those lines, if I'm getting these mixed reviews I might just do a 50/50 mix of both live and dry and just go from there. its a 40 breeder with just a hob tidal filter running seachem matrix and filter floss only a softy tank with special grade sand. I wanna keep the rock work a little light about 25-30 lbs max

 

[CoralReefer1019]

I've used the Carib Sea Seeded live rock and have great luck with it. Its pest free so you start with a fresh slate. However, you have to be in the market for the natural color. If your looking for white you may be limited to a different brand or less selection

where can I find this type of rock if its live without any pests then thats a plus

 

[Murica]

someone said to only use live rock and to never use dry rock the bacteria in the live rock is better or something along those lines, if I'm getting these mixed reviews I might just do a 50/50 mix of both live and dry and just go from there. its a 40 breeder with just a hob tidal filter running seachem matrix and filter floss only a softy tank with special grade sand. I wanna keep the rock work a little light about 25-30 lbs max

 

[Murica]

The small piece of live rock will “seed” the dry rock, causing it to be “live” in a matter of weeks. Adding a ton of live rock is a lot more expensive and you run the risk of hitch hikers, whereas if you add dry rock with a little live rock, you’ll only have to worry about the small piece of live you put in. Any rock that you put in your tank will become live after a while, so adding a majority of dry rock mitigates your risk for potential issues

 

[CoralReefer1019]

The small piece of live rock will “seed” the dry rock, causing it to be “live” in a matter of weeks. Adding a ton of live rock is a lot more expensive and you run the risk of hitch hikers, whereas if you add dry rock with a little live rock, you’ll only have to worry about the small piece of live you put in. Any rock that you put in your tank will become live after a while, so adding a majority of dry rock mitigates your risk for potential issues

how does this sound thinking about ordering some reefsaver dry rock from brs and ask a buddy or purchase from a store a piece of live rock and just go from there

 

[Murica]

how does this sound thinking about ordering some reefsaver dry rock from brs and ask a buddy or purchase from a store a piece of live rock and just go from there

Sounds perfect! You’ll be glad you did it that way... you’ll also save a lot of money.

 

[CoralReefer1019]

Sounds perfect! You’ll be glad you did it that way... you’ll also save a lot of money.

do I have to cure the dry rock from brs?

 

[Murica]

do I have to cure the dry rock from brs?

You can, i personally never did. Built aquascape to include the piece of live rock, added saltwater, in about one and a half months coralline was covering everything and my tank was completely stable

 

[CoralReefer1019]

Sounds perfect! You’ll be glad you did it that way... you’ll also save a lot of money.

how much dry rock you recommend for a 40 breeder? kinda want to keep it light on rock

 

[Murica]

how much dry rock you recommend for a 40 breeder? kinda want to keep it light on rock

That’s really personal preference. A lot of people are moving to the “minimal” look, but i like a complete wall of rock. Just make sure you don’t have so much Rock that you’ll have dead spots. If you have Little Rock in your display but want more bio filtration, add some in your sump to make up for it

 

[JohnnyKnuckles]

how much dry rock you recommend for a 40 breeder? kinda want to keep it light on rock

Old rule of thumb was 1lb rock for every one gallon of water. I think the rock makers probably made that rule up all on their own.

 

[splitting_lanes]

how long will it last? should i ghost feed in the mean time? any livestock? run lights?

Hardy livestock should be fine, as others have said.