First tank...finally!

[jaybk5211]

I got my cube set up and will be making it a frag tank, I put a little sand and rock in the back for filtration. So since I am brand new, what should I be checking, levels wise and will there be a cycle? When is it safe to put corals in, and what test kits should I be using?

 

[jaybk5211]

Lol whoops, it's sideways.

 

[Tennsquire]

There won't be a cycle unless/until you put something live in there. If and when you do, you need to check for ammonia and nitrite. What kind of corals are you thinking about?

 

[jaybk5211]

I'm gonna have Lps and softies mainly. I have live sand and rock in, so I am sure there will be some level spikes won't there?

 

[Tennsquire]

I don't think live sand will cause much of a cycle. Is it live rock? Is it cured or uncured? If it's uncured, you'll have some die off, which will cause a bit of a cycle.

 

[jaybk5211]

It's live sand I just ordered, and the rock should still be live, I took it out of a tank and have had it in the garage in a trash can fill of water with a pump for 3 weeks. No light or heat so no coralline, but still live

 

[Tennsquire]

Live sand that's shipped will likely have some die off. Live rock from someone else's established tank should already be cured and not cause much (if any) of a cycle. If you put a fish or two in, they'll produce ammonia, which will cause the tank to cycle. Animal waste and dead/decaying material (sponges from live rock; fish food; etc) causes a cycle in your tank until it can build up enough bacteria to handle the ammonia (first cycle) and the nitrate (second cycle). Where are you in Mt. Juliet? I'm off Division, west of N. Mt. Juliet road. Certainly willing to help if need be.

 

[jaybk5211]

I'm over on the hermitage side, so adding just a little fish food should do it with the sand and rock?

 

[inkedsparkster]

Congrats on the first tank mate! Looking forward to seeing some pics! Let's see that rock work!

 

[jaybk5211]

Oh the rock is in the back filter, this will be just a frag tank. I am getting my feet wet on this jbj 30 gallon before my display gets here in 2 weeks. I have a 180 gallon bowfront coming.

 

[Tennsquire]

I'm over on the hermitage side, so adding just a little fish food should do it with the sand and rock?

A piece of shrimp or scallop from the grocery store will do it as well. A hearty fish (like a damsel) works as well.

 

[jaybk5211]

Yeah I have just heard the shrimp will stink, and I hate to kill a fish just to cycle.

 

[Tennsquire]

Damsels are tough and relatively inexpensive. They can handle the cycle. You just have to be willing to keep them after your done of find someone who wants them. They won't die.

 

[jaybk5211]

Lol yeah and be able to catch em
In there.

 

[Pete polyp]

I cycle by feeding frozen food (rods) I feed it just like there are already fish in the tank, so a little pinch every few days. My tanks tend to cycle very quickly, 7 days with one 10 with the other. I have had great results with doing this and have a great biosystem after the cycle.

 

[jaybk5211]

So how do you get the food out? Just vacuum it out after the cycle?

 

[Pete polyp]

No, it decomposes and gets processed by the biological filtration. That is why we cycle the tank, so that the natural nitrification will metabolize the waste in the tank.

 

[jaybk5211]

Got ya, so the flake food or shrimp will decompose in a few days or a week or so?

 

[Cigar Sherlock]

I used damsels and then traded them back to the fish store for credit. Love the razor r420...how you liking the features?

 

[jaybk5211]

Man I haven't played with it yet, spent the afternoon getting this thing set up, I gotta take some time and figure out all the settings. Do you have one?