Getting started and Cycle question

[Xclusive Reef]

have some questions:
1- I am using dry rock and live sand, Do i need to cycle rock before going in tank or can I wash off and cycle in tank?
2- I am going to use the shrimp method to cycle. After adding shrimp how long do i keep it in and do i need to add ammonia or ghost feed the tank?

Want to do it without chemicals.

 

[KJ]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

 

[jsker]

Cycle this whole thing together

I would suggest 30 days with the natural method of no living creatures and at 30 days add two hardy corals. wait till 60 days and add your clean up crew. at 90 you can start adding fish. Be patient I know the tank looks empty but doing is slowly will alleviate all kinds of stress and money spent. It will take about 9 to 12 months for the system to fully establish itself.

Your parameter will bounce around for a bit so do not get stressed either. Once you get your alk where you would like it the establish your Ca and Mg . Every system is different and your may take less time or more

 

[Xclusive Reef]

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

Yes but I think there is a step
Missing after you arrange rock I don't see the cycle process? Maybe I missed it

 

[Xclusive Reef]

Cycle this whole thing together

I would suggest 30 days with the natural method of no living creatures and at 30 days add two hardy corals. wait till 60 days and add your clean up crew. at 90 you can start adding fish. Be patient I know the tank looks empty but doing is slowly will alleviate all kinds of stress and money spent. It will take about 9 to 12 months for the system to fully establish itself.

Your parameter will bounce around for a bit so do not get stressed either. Once you get your alk where you would like it the establish your Ca and Mg . Every system is different and your may take less time or more

Thanks for the reply but some questions. I read it takes 60-90 days to cycle dry rock and get the phosphates out? So you think dry rock will cycle in tank within 30 days and will be ready for corals in 30 days? Also the natural way cycle? When I add shrimp how long does it stay in tank? I read some people leave it 3-4 days, other days leave it till it is all gone so a bit confused. Then after shrimp is removed, do I have to add any thing else ammonia or ghost feed etc?

 

[Xclusive Reef]

Thanks for the reply but some questions. I read it takes 60-90 days to cycle dry rock and get the phosphates out? So you think dry rock will cycle in tank within 30 days and will be ready for corals in 30 days? Also the natural way cycle? When I add shrimp how long does it stay in tank? I read some people leave it 3-4 days, other days leave it till it is all gone so a bit confused. Then after shrimp is removed, do I have to add any thing else ammonia or ghost feed etc?

Good point NYC. I have been looking on youtube but can't find answers. Everything is all Dr. Tims etc chemicals. Maybe someone will Chime in soon

 

[Xclusive Reef]

Thanks for the reply but some questions. I read it takes 60-90 days to cycle dry rock and get the phosphates out? So you think dry rock will cycle in tank within 30 days and will be ready for corals in 30 days? Also the natural way cycle? When I add shrimp how long does it stay in tank? I read some people leave it 3-4 days, other days leave it till it is all gone so a bit confused. Then after shrimp is removed, do I have to add any thing else ammonia or ghost feed etc?

Good point NYC. I have been looking on youtube but can't find answers. Everything is all Dr. Tims etc chemicals. Maybe someone will Chime in soon

good luck with the build do post pics.

 

[jsker]

Thanks for the reply but some questions. I read it takes 60-90 days to cycle dry rock and get the phosphates out? So you think dry rock will cycle in tank within 30 days and will be ready for corals in 30 days? Also the natural way cycle? When I add shrimp how long does it stay in tank? I read some people leave it 3-4 days, other days leave it till it is all gone so a bit confused. Then after shrimp is removed, do I have to add any thing else ammonia or ghost feed etc?

Kind why I suggested 90 days before fish, to let the cycle kick. As for phosphates you can run a GFO reactor or use a product with lanthanum Chloride or a combination in the system, that will get the phosphate in line A system needs phosphates to grown coral or .01 to .03 and nitrates of 3 to 5 ppm. What the shrimp is for is to kick the ammonia cycle in gear and a week would be good. I have not ever used a shrimp, I just waited the 90 days before adding fish
The rock will be cycling during the whole 90 days. First the rock will be all nice and clean, then the ugly stage of algae will take hold, that is where the cleaning crew comes in. Rule of thumb is one critter per gallon and your best deals of clean up crew packages are on line

On on my current system I follow this schedule link and it would very well as far as timing. I also have some of my original corals still in the system.

 

[A Toadstool Leather]

Ammonia can be added in various ways. If you want more control you can always use pure ammonia. Add livestock when the ammonia and nitrite readings are 0 and nitrate is detectable. Add really slowly amd aviod overfeedong to prevent new tank syndrome. It usually takes about a month to cycle.