GFO and carbon during cycling

[PhantomHalo]

While the tank is cycling is it okay to run GFO and carbon or should I wait until the cycle is complete? TIA!

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Yes you should wait!

 

[LAReefer4Life]

Yes you should wait!

+1

 

[LAReefer4Life]

Carbon/GFO is very porous and the beneficial bacteria will use it as the primary source to colonize and disposing of these colonies can negatively impact by prolonging the cycling process.

 

[PhantomHalo]

Awesome! Thank you everyone! What about running lights? Are they necessary for the cycle? I’m having a hood built and don’t have any lights on the tank. I have one in the sump on for the chaeto, but not the DT.

 

[Hemmdog]

Awesome! Thank you everyone! What about running lights? Are they necessary for the cycle? I’m having a hood built and don’t have any lights on the tank. I have one in the sump on for the chaeto, but not the DT.

No lights is better, so you are good to go.

 

[King Turkey]

are you leaching from rockwork and sand? I would wait till cycle is finished and you have one fish in the tank. hum I would wait about a month. then start using it so the stability is set up in the tank a bit more.

 

[LAReefer4Life]

No lights is better, so you are good to go.

+1 No light will help reduce the chances of unwanted algae growth during this period. I went approx 2 months without lighting.

 

[PhantomHalo]

are you leaching from rockwork and sand? I would wait till cycle is finished and you have one fish in the tank. hum I would wait about a month. then start using it so the stability is set up in the tank a bit more.

I’m not leaching anything. It’s all dry Marco rock. I kick started the cycle with ghost feeding. I can see some algae growth in the sump, but only slightly. The carbon was more to clear up the water as that type of rock puts out a ton of dust that just never settles. GFO was just for later on, but I set it up at the same time to save headache later on.

 

[PhantomHalo]

Thanks all for the lighting answer!

 

[Hemmdog]

I’m not leaching anything. It’s all dry Marco rock. I kick started the cycle with ghost feeding. I can see some algae growth in the sump, but only slightly. The carbon was more to clear up the water as that type of rock puts out a ton of dust that just never settles. GFO was just for later on, but I set it up at the same time to save headache later on.

The dust is silicates. GFO is for phosphates and heavy metals. Carbon is for organics.

 

[PhantomHalo]

What would you recommend for silicates? I’m using filter floss right now to help with the big particles and will change that out every two weeks or so.

 

[King Turkey]

Phosgard