Evo 13.5 cycle help

[Xero_ID]

Finally got the last thing missing to start my new Evo tank . I was waiting for dry rock to ship from my uncle who said its been sitting about 2 years and I got a few questions for the cycle since I haven't done this in a long time and never a nano tank.

1) Can I just wash the rock with water and throw it in? do I need to bleach/vinegar wash it?

2) Filtration - I was going to do Chamber 1 (Intank chamber) with Floss (cheap polyfil), Puigen and BioMax. Chamber 2 would be Chemi Blue and Chamber three is pump
Should I use the block and media that came with it through cycle then switch? Should I change my filtration plans at all?

3) Should I use a few flakes for a kickstart or ammonia dose or both? Does it matter what flakes and how much ammonia ( I have never done these methods for a tank before)

I think that's all for now I'm really tired so I'm sure I'll have 1 or 2 more later.

 

[Neon_Devil]

I would rinse off the rock to knock off some of the dust and dirt from sitting but you shouldn't need to bleach it.

Filter floss is fine but I feel that the cut to size filter mats are superior and I ran filter floss for years.

I wouldn't recommend running the purigen during cycle right now until you understand your tank better. Stripping the phosphates to 0 will bring on bigger problems. The biomax rings are a good choice for beneficial bacteria. I have a bag of them that I have been using to seed all my new tanks for over 5 years. Carbon would be a good start once you have your tank cycled and have inhabitants.

I started out ammonia dosing my tanks but make sure you read the instructions carefully and dont overdose or your tank will take forever to cycle and you will end up with excessive nitrates. It should really only take two separate doses to determine if your tank is cycled. The first to kick it off which can take a few weeks and the second to test if your tank can convert ammonia to nitrate in 24 hours.

Best advice I can give you is take your time, test your tank for nitrate(No3) phosphate(Po4) alkalinity, calcium and magnesium at least weekly and don't slack on water changes especially in a nano. Bad things happen fast and good things take time in reefing.

 

[Jekyl]

Above advice is all good. Just wanted to second that only need floss and bio in your filter. Don't add things until you come to an issue where they're required. Take everything slow, get good test kits and learn how to manage your water. It's all that really matters to make us successful. Forget about the fish and coral and learn to be a mini Chemist. (This is not an endorsement for any dosing unless needed or bottles of miracles being sold)

 

[Garf]

I would rinse off the rock to knock off some of the dust and dirt from sitting but you shouldn't need to bleach it.

Filter floss is fine but I feel that the cut to size filter mats are superior and I ran filter floss for years.

I wouldn't recommend running the purigen during cycle right now until you understand your tank better. Stripping the phosphates to 0 will bring on bigger problems. The biomax rings are a good choice for beneficial bacteria. I have a bag of them that I have been using to seed all my new tanks for over 5 years. Carbon would be a good start once you have your tank cycled and have inhabitants.

I started out ammonia dosing my tanks but make sure you read the instructions carefully and dont overdose or your tank will take forever to cycle and you will end up with excessive nitrates. It should really only take two separate doses to determine if your tank is cycled. The first to kick it off which can take a few weeks and the second to test if your tank can convert ammonia to nitrate in 24 hours.

Best advice I can give you is take your time, test your tank for nitrate(No3) phosphate(Po4) alkalinity, calcium and magnesium at least weekly and don't slack on water changes especially in a nano. Bad things happen fast and good things take time in reefing.

Your new, aren’t you

 

[Jekyl]

Your new, aren’t you

Whoops skimmed over that lol.... was the rock previously used? Or just dry rock that sat in a box?

 

[Xero_ID]

Whoops skimmed over that lol.... was the rock previously used? Or just dry rock that sat in a box?

used from a tank 2 years ago. the tank was a reef that ran for probably close to 10 years.

 

[Jekyl]

used from a tank 2 years ago. the tank was a reef that ran for probably close to 10 years.

There are steps needed to clean that rock before you can use it. I'd make a new post for instructions or just search the site. Separate baths of bleach, then vinegar and then just water or something of the sort.

Edit: Do not mix bleach and vinegar.

 

[aggrofish]

Adding ammonium nitrate to 2ppm along with your bacteria of choice should get you cycled in about 15-20 days. As far as rock, the tank is small id just get a box of caribsea life rock and call it a day. IMHO it helps disguise the ugly stage.