Hello! New to the saltwater world

[Circulita17]

hello guys! I recently decided to have at it with a saltwater tank. I should be receiving all the equipment saturday, fingers crossed. I got a 10 gallon tall aquarium, HOB filter, powerhead, heater, live sand, and will be ordering live rock from KP aquatics!

So I'm still stuck with cycling since I'm using live rock and sand. I know not to dose ammonia, just let it cycle on its own. But should I feed the critters during the cycling phase? Or no? Cycle with lights off or on?? I have API testing kit to monitor levels.

As for the live rock, I know I can just put it the tank since it's new. But is there anything special I should do? Weekly gravel vac?

What CUC and fish would you guys recommend ?

Thank you guy for the help!

 

[Peace River]

#WelcometoR2R!!! Here is the link to one resource to check out on the clean up crew (CUC):


Good luck!

 

[mike550]

Welcome to R2R! It sounds like you're heading down the right path and asking great questions. There are a lot of good discussions on how to cycle a tank. Couple of thoughts for you.

First -- I used Fritz Turbostart to get my tank up and running. It seemed to work really well and I added a couple of clown fish the next day.

Second -- I started with an API test kit as well, but quickly learned that API had a reputation for not being very accurate. So not a big deal at the beginning but over time you'll want to switch to other test kits. My sense is that Salifert, Red Sea, Nyos, and Hanna are the popular ones.

Finally, the only thing I remember about live sand was that it seemed to leave a lot of "silt" in the water. I ended up using a strainer to take the wet sand out of the bag and move it into the aquarium leaving the water in the bag. Seemed to help keep the silt down.

Good luck!

 

[harley32907]

Welcome to R2R!

 

[Twoddler]

Welcome and enjoy the journey

 

[ScubaFish802]

Welcome to R2R!

I think you have a couple of cycling ideas slightly mixed up but otherwise you're on the right track

You could use bacteria like Turbostart as someone said above. I used something similar with really good results. Here's a link to some EXACT instructions that you might find useful Instructions for Dr Tims + ammonia

 

[Circulita17]

#WelcometoR2R!!! Here is the link to one resource to check out on the clean up crew (CUC):


Good luck!

Thank you the video is very helpful!

 

[fishguy242]

hi welcome to the reef going to love it here!!
lots of fun/info/fun/help/fun....
i would run a skimmer and let it cycle itself jmo

 

[AlexKintner]

 

[fishguy242]

i think if rock and sand are both live,no need for bacteria in a bottle ,start w short light cycle gradually work up,skimmer is key

 

[WIReefer]

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[Circulita17]

Welcome to R2R! It sounds like you're heading down the right path and asking great questions. There are a lot of good discussions on how to cycle a tank. Couple of thoughts for you.

First -- I used Fritz Turbostart to get my tank up and running. It seemed to work really well and I added a couple of clown fish the next day.

Second -- I started with an API test kit as well, but quickly learned that API had a reputation for not being very accurate. So not a big deal at the beginning but over time you'll want to switch to other test kits. My sense is that Salifert, Red Sea, Nyos, and Hanna are the popular ones.

Finally, the only thing I remember about live sand was that it seemed to leave a lot of "silt" in the water. I ended up using a strainer to take the wet sand out of the bag and move it into the aquarium leaving the water in the bag. Seemed to help keep the silt down.

Good luck!

@mike550 I was thinking off adding bacteria, I will definitely look into it. Thank you

I also heard API isn't accurate but kinda close. I have it readily available because I have a freshwater tank, so I was being cheap and saving money due to buying other equipment. But in the future I will be buying a good quality brand.

So with sand live I have to drain the water and just add the sand to the aquarium? Thank you for helping me. I really appreciate it.

 

[Circulita17]

Welcome to R2R!

I think you have a couple of cycling ideas slightly mixed up but otherwise you're on the right track

You could use bacteria like Turbostart as someone said above. I used something similar with really good results. Here's a link to some EXACT instructions that you might find useful Instructions for Dr Tims + ammonia

@802ScubaFish I will look into the cycling process again. I've read so much that I actually do feel confused. I've been researching for a month already. I'm ready to start but I know I can't rush in the saltwater world. Thank you for the link!

 

[Circulita17]

i think if rock and sand are both live,no need for bacteria in a bottle ,start w short light cycle gradually work up,skimmer is key

@fishguy242 what do you mean short light cycle? I've never heard of this. Thank you for helping! I appreciate it

 

[BackToTheReef]

Welcome to the team!

 

[fishguy242]

@fishguy242 what do you mean short light cycle? I've never heard of this. Thank you for helping! I appreciate it

start out running lights 3 hours,then 4 in a week working your way up to about 8-9 total ,in end ,1 hr blue before and at end of cycle,just going blind on lights ,being whites and blues,not sure what lights you are going to use

 

[KrisReef]

Rinse the sand off in fresh water until there are no fines in it that cloud the water. Fill the 10 gallon with the rinsed sand and salt water. Add filters (skimmer,& what ever else).
When the rock arrives remove anything that dies in transport and add the cleaned live rock to the tank. Let the rock mature with the lights off for at least a few days and test.

read some additional threads on cycling so you understand what to expect from the rock and sand andknow when it’s ready to add light and other life.

Welcome to Reef2Reef!