Being relativly new to marine aquariums, i was asking a salt store owner in Central florida some questions. He says to "instant cycle" my tank i could collect natural sea water. Also, using only carbon and a protein skimmer in my sump. He says live rock will do most my other filtration. Are these true? Or enough true to work? What could or would be better? Thanks!
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steve&mari
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Sounds like it should work depending on how much die off is taking place on the rock if it's cured already even better. I'd still let it run n test for a bit to make sure it's stable. I've had good success using established tank water to fill half of new setup rest new sw. You normally have a mini cycle. That runs couple weeks. Testing is what's important to be sure it's stable before adding livestock. As for equipment we use skimmer in sump,macro algae n lr in center section of sump. The lr in display and livesand are filters your bacteria you'll grow the tiny life like pods all filter. Good flow is important for good filtration. I'll be adding a duel reactor soon for gfo and carbon. But that's the normal filtration used by most. I also use filter socks when doing wc for the next few days then remove it after it catches what's stirred up.
ilovereefing <3
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I am no expert, but I don't think that collecting natural sea water will instantly cycle an aquarium. It might help, but not completely. It is my understanding that the bacteria that create the nitrification process colonize mostly on rocks and in the sand. It is the bacteria that live in the rock that make it "live". You can add bacteria to your tank to speed up the process (BioSpira, Dr. Tim's One and Only to name a couple), and you can even use sand that is considered live, as it already has the bacteria you need in it. Live rock will definitely do the bulk of your filtration, depending on how much you buy. I think it was supposed to be like 1 or 2 pounds of live rock per gallon of tank...something like that. Eventually, you may need other forms of filtration like GFO to handle phosphates. If you purchase actual live rock with bacteria already growing on it, make sure it is cured or you will have to cure it yourself. You also run the risk of adding unwanted hitchhikers, and some good ones too. Just keep in mind that NOTHING good in reef keeping happens fast.
ZJGAquariaFreak
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Its not the idea that its an "insta cycle" i guess, its that its already cycled. The guy had a degree in marine biology so i mean, i kinda take his word for it. I just believe collecting multiple opinions help prove or support one opinion
Paul B
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Exactly
redfishbluefish
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Water carries very little bacteria. If you wish to accelerate your cycle, add one of the know bottle of nitrifying bacteria supplements.....Bio Spira or Tim's One and Only
Paulday
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I think as far as cycling it's the rate at which people add stuff to aquarium. For example. If u have a tank running for five years with only 4 fish the bio load is that of the four fish if u add tweenty more to the tank regardless off gallons the load would be to much and the bacteria would not be able to keep up. The tank spikes. And stuff dyes. Rule of thumb add one thing a month. Until u hit the one year mark. Then up it to two things a month so forth. This is a hobby not a race.
ZJGAquariaFreak
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Will collecting ocean water from the island ( GA island ) be safe for my tank? I was told its acceptable, is it?
ZJGAquariaFreak
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Note: tank isnt set up at all yet
ilovereefing <3
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I have no idea. Here's my thinking on natural sea water though...unless you have the ability to collect water from the deeper part of the ocean, I wouldn't use it. When I think about collecting from the shore, I think about how the sand acts as the ocean's protein skimmer. So basically the water towards the shore is the "dirtier" water. (And just think, that's where we humans have a ton of fun!) Where I live, we are able to get natural, filtered sea water from our local aquarium. They have a pipe that runs into the deeper part of the ocean and they filter it before it is offered for home aquariums. I mix my own salt water though, as I had heard (but have not verified) that you can sometimes introduce things like ich into your system using natural sea water. Don't quote me on this, but it seems plausible. I'd also find out if it's legal for you to collect ocean water...some places have limits on what you can collect.
ZJGAquariaFreak
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I
I will look into the legalities, as GA can be odd on what natural resources you collect. And i have access to a boat to collect "far out" water. Thank you for your advice, i appreciate it
ilovereefing <3
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You're very welcome! Good luck with your new tank, and Happy Reefing! 
Harold Green
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I think there's little wrong with using natural sea water but I would check the salinity, it can really vary, and I would filter it unless you want to add all the plankton that's already in the sea water. As far as running in a new system I used uncured live rock plus some older established live rock, clean sand plus a small amount of live sand on the tank I set up last year. I was never able to detect any ammonia or nitrates so I added a few hardy corals a little at a time with no issues. As Paul said you have to have a constant bio-load to feed the bacteria or it will decrease over time. Test for cycling over the first few weeks and after each addition until you have the tank well stocked.
