Going to start cycling my tank

polancoeddie · Aug 27, 2014

Do I need to cycle my tank even if I have live sand, live rocks and saltwater from my LFS? They already have the good bacteria in the sand, rocks, and water.. its a 29g biocube. Sorry im a newbie with saltwater tanks

Weird · Aug 27, 2014

It's always a good idea to cycle a new tank even if your rocks was cured. You'll learn in this hobby that nothing good happens fast. Just take your time and monitor everything.

SantaMonicaHelp · Aug 27, 2014

Second that, even though you're buying mature lr/ls/sw, letting everything come together and acclimate is important. Check your water in a week, once your levels are even you should be ok.

Scubafrog · Aug 28, 2014

Good question. I too will be starting a 29G Biocube (hopefully this weekend) and will be using live sand, real ocean water (Catalina), and cured live rock (from LFS) and was wondering if the cycle will be quicker.

Davileet · Aug 28, 2014

I would say it depends how far this live rock has traveled. If it's within the same day and been underwater during transit I would say no cycle would even occur.

ReeferRookie · Aug 28, 2014

Patience paddawon learner

Scubafrog · Aug 28, 2014

polancoeddie said:
Do I need to cycle my tank even if I have live sand, live rocks and saltwater from my LFS? They already have the good bacteria in the sand, rocks, and water.. its a 29g biocube. Sorry im a newbie with saltwater tanks

Not to hijack your post but a question from one newbie to another: Do you plan on doing a water test before adding your saltwater? I know I should but it would require me to carry the tank outside to my deck to fill with tap water.

ReeferRookie · Aug 28, 2014

Scubafrog said:
Not to hijack your post but a question from one newbie to another: Do you plan on doing a water test before adding your saltwater? I know I should but it would require me to carry the tank outside to my deck to fill with tap water.

yoi need to invest in buckets

polancoeddie · Aug 28, 2014

Will you be removing the bioballs from the tank?

polancoeddie · Aug 28, 2014

Do you mean to check for water leaks?

Scubafrog · Aug 28, 2014

Yes, to check for leaks.

Yes, I will be removing the bioballs and replacing with foam filters, Seachem Matrix Bio, and Seachem Matrix Carbon.

LetItReef · Aug 28, 2014

polancoeddie said:
Do I need to cycle my tank even if I have live sand, live rocks and saltwater from my LFS? They already have the good bacteria in the sand, rocks, and water.. its a 29g biocube. Sorry im a newbie with saltwater tanks

yes and give those LR some good scrubbing using a brush. Good luck

polancoeddie · Aug 28, 2014

Iam going to fill the tank half way and check for leaks

polancoeddie · Aug 28, 2014

Not sure if I should take out the bioballs I will be adding a protein skimmer chemi pure elite, and purigen to my filter. Took out my stock filter, and

polancoeddie · Aug 28, 2014

Why scrub the live rocks? I guess I need to do alot more research than I thought lol

ReeferRookie · Aug 28, 2014

Live rock can carry with it many bad guys although live rock brings good it also in many cases brings with it extermination

Weird · Aug 28, 2014

If you want to avoid scrubbing the rocks, I would just run the tank with socks or floss so it can catch any dead or loose debris.

fishroomlady · Aug 28, 2014

I probably wouldn't scrub the rocks unless they have a lot of algae on them....I would do a nice rinse in saltwater (shake it and swoosh it around and then in the tank)

BetURWrasse · Aug 29, 2014

My experience has been that I did not have any cycle that I could detect. I added rock straight from the LFS tanks to my own and Hawaiian Black sand. Tested all parameters for two weeks almost daily and Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate have stayed 0. At just over a week I added CUC and saw no change for a week. Then added 2 clowns and still no change.

I have been strict with water changes and testing. The only things that have fluctuated are the PH, Mg, KH, and Ca which is to be expected for such a young tank. The tank is going on 23 days and I am finally seeing a leveling out of sorts of the PH, Mg, KH, Ca, and PO4 (which I just started testing and still need to get lower).

had a short algae spike which has receded with help in combination of CUC and filter media.

I in no way think I'm good to go and fully expect to get hit with something but I am trying to stay ahead of the game with measurements and observation. Also good filtration, water movement, and feeding habits.

Longnose Hawkfish · Aug 29, 2014

Yes I would still treat the tank as if it is cycling but your cycle should be extremely fast and you might not have one at all. But still give it a good week before you put any cuc in there and make sure your water checks out before you do put anything in.