Xbreakxitxdownx
Active Member
Hello I just put 70lbs of live rock in my 90g tank I need help should I just leave my light on like normal or dark? How long should I wait until cycle is complete?
Help on cycling.
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tyler1503
2500 Club Member
Being live rock, I'd leave the light on. You never know what corals or other photosynthetic things might pop up 
The initial cycle usually takes about 4-6 weeks to finish, but in reality it can be as quick as 2 weeks or as long as 10 weeks. You should wait till you have 0 ammonia and nitrite, then start water changes to bring down the nitrate. When you have 0 ammonia and nitrites you can add a small clean up crew. After another couple of weeks, if nitrates are within an acceptable range, you can add some coral or a small fish
The initial cycle usually takes about 4-6 weeks to finish, but in reality it can be as quick as 2 weeks or as long as 10 weeks. You should wait till you have 0 ammonia and nitrite, then start water changes to bring down the nitrate. When you have 0 ammonia and nitrites you can add a small clean up crew. After another couple of weeks, if nitrates are within an acceptable range, you can add some coral or a small fish
Zero Nitrates
I love chalices
+1!
OP
OP
Xbreakxitxdownx
Active Member
Thanks Tyler +2
Waters
"...in perfect isolation, here behind my wall."
You will hear arguements on both sides. I also prefer to leave the lights on (as well as the skimmer and all other filtration). I like to use the cycling period to get everything working exactly how I want it and get everything on a normal schedule (such as the lights).
I would leave the lights on but maybe not for as long as a normal time frame.
First time ever reading that higher flow speeds up cycle. How is this possible? Please explain, thanks
Dalmatia
Valuable Member
First time ever reading that higher flow speeds up cycle. How is this possible? Please explain, thanks
It always worked for me. I guess just cause you get more water throughout the pores of the lr and quicker.
Not much of an explanation. I'm not sure flow has much to do with bacterial production. It's going to grow flow or no flow.
FL_Reefer
Valuable Member
Flow has nothing to do with your cycle, sorry. Bacteria feed of other elements and organisms. Aka the nitrogen cycle. Don't mean to come of harsh, it's just fact. You will be good to go before you know it and can start to fill that tank up!!
Dalmatia
Valuable Member
The benefits of having good water movement and flow include:
1)***** Increased oxygen levels through improved water movement at the surface
2)***** Allow food to be carried to the tank inhabitants and corals
3)***** Allow wastes to be carried away from the tank inhabitants and corals
4)***** Help with the photosynthesis and calcification processes of corals
5)***** Help prevent the build-up of detritus
6)***** Helps to create a more natural environment for your tank inhabitants.
7)***** Can help to prevent some types of marine algae from getting a strong foot hold in your aquarium.
*
Some of the problems you could have if you have too low water movement or too low flow
1)***** Excessive nitrates and phosphates from allowing detritus to build up and remain in dead spots.
2)***** Good conditions for pathogenic bacteria to grow (the bacteria that causes infections in fish and corals).
3)***** Slow growth in corals
4)***** Ineffective or reduced biological filtration from your live rock
5)***** Ineffective or reduced filtration from your skimmer (or other forms of filtration you are using).
1)***** Increased oxygen levels through improved water movement at the surface
2)***** Allow food to be carried to the tank inhabitants and corals
3)***** Allow wastes to be carried away from the tank inhabitants and corals
4)***** Help with the photosynthesis and calcification processes of corals
5)***** Help prevent the build-up of detritus
6)***** Helps to create a more natural environment for your tank inhabitants.
7)***** Can help to prevent some types of marine algae from getting a strong foot hold in your aquarium.
*
Some of the problems you could have if you have too low water movement or too low flow
1)***** Excessive nitrates and phosphates from allowing detritus to build up and remain in dead spots.
2)***** Good conditions for pathogenic bacteria to grow (the bacteria that causes infections in fish and corals).
3)***** Slow growth in corals
4)***** Ineffective or reduced biological filtration from your live rock
5)***** Ineffective or reduced filtration from your skimmer (or other forms of filtration you are using).
Still doesn't prove your statement of "more flow speeds up cycle"
If anything more flow would carry away the much needed detritus for bacteria growth. Allowing it to get filtered out of the tank.
It may make sense to you but it's more an assumption then fact.
If anything more flow would carry away the much needed detritus for bacteria growth. Allowing it to get filtered out of the tank.
It may make sense to you but it's more an assumption then fact.
tyler1503
2500 Club Member
I've never heard of more flow equalling a faster initial cycle either.
As far as I know, all you need flow wise is enough to keep it from going stagnant, smelly and to help aerate the water. An ammonia source should be one of the biggest factors when it comes to the initial cycle.
As far as I know, all you need flow wise is enough to keep it from going stagnant, smelly and to help aerate the water. An ammonia source should be one of the biggest factors when it comes to the initial cycle.
Dalmatia
Valuable Member
That's ok, I've cured tons of lr in the last 5 years and do it on a monthly basis cause there's $$ to be made. Higher flow always helped me out, so far you guy's are the only ones to think it doesn't matter.
tyler1503
2500 Club Member
I'm not saying it doesn't matter. I was just unaware of the benefits of higher flow when there's no livestock in the water. I'll test this out when I pick up some more dry rock.
