Need to cycle Caribsea LifeRock?

[jmatt]

All set to add my Caribsea LifeRock to my Brute can of saltwater when I started wondering if I really need to do this. The rock comes coated with a layer of dormant nitrifying bacteria... could doing so actually set the rock back by activating it a month before it goes into the tank?

I was planning on adding some Tim's for good measure.

One other question about the process, does it much matter how the water flows in the can? Do I set the pump on top of the pile and kind of aim the output downwards? Some rocks will get full blast and others not so much. Not really sure if there's a proper way to do this and YouTube didn't help much.

 

[Shooter6]

I suggest you cycle it. Ghost feed it while you are. Also get some of the reefbrite liverock enhance. Add it to the Bute, and also the new system. Really helps avoid any ugly phase.

 

[gbroadbridge]

All set to add my Caribsea LifeRock to my Brute can of saltwater when I started wondering if I really need to do this. The rock comes coated with a layer of dormant nitrifying bacteria... could doing so actually set the rock back by activating it a month before it goes into the tank?

I was planning on adding some Tim's for good measure.

One other question about the process, does it much matter how the water flows in the can? Do I set the pump on top of the pile and kind of aim the output downwards? Some rocks will get full blast and others not so much. Not really sure if there's a proper way to do this and YouTube didn't help much.

I've used it in my last two tanks.

I read that it was supposed to have what you say, but apart from the pretty pink, I saw no biological help.

I used Seachem stability and MB 7 alternately for cycling. Took about a month before I added any animals.

just try to get water circulating around the rocks, I did it in tank after cementing the Aqua scape. it's difficult to cement wet rock.

 

[X-37B]

The only issue I have with caribsea is the bacteria is only going to be on the surface. I used 50/50 live and just put it into my system with good results.
This rock is like solid cement with no porous areas at all.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I suggest you cycle it. Ghost feed it while you are. Also get some of the reefbrite liverock enhance. Add it to the Bute, and also the new system. Really helps avoid any ugly phase.

This mention is the first I've heard of Reefbrite's organic products (I was just familiar with their lights). Is this any better than other cycling products?

 

[Shooter6]

This mention is the first I've heard of Reefbrite's organic products (I was just familiar with their lights). Is this any better than other cycling products?

I used the enhance and microbactor 7 to cycle my rock. These 2 along with a monthly dose of pods, phytoplankton, and ghost feeding twice a week foe a few months allowed my to set up my 400g and add frags within the first month. I never got a cycle in the 400g. And coraline began growing as soon as I put the frags in.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I used the enhance and microbactor 7 to cycle my rock. These 2 along with a monthly dose of pods, phytoplankton, and ghost feeding twice a week foe a few months allowed my to set up my 400g and add frags within the first month. I never got a cycle in the 400g. And coraline began growing as soon as I put the frags in.

So, you cycled dry rock outside of the DT? Is there an advantage to doing it this way?
(Note, I have an established 90 gallon and will be using this rock when I set up my new tank in a few months, but am always curious to learn about others' methods )

 

[Shooter6]

So, you cycled dry rock outside of the DT? Is there an advantage to doing it this way?
(Note, I have an established 90 gallon and will be using this rock when I set up my new tank in a few months, but am always curious to learn about others' methods )

Yes I cycled about 1000 pounds in two 300g totes. I then picked through and used what I wanted then sold off the rest to local reefers.

Benefits for me was and dust ect fell off in the totes. Bacteria and pods had time to work into the rock and get fully established. Didn't get any nuisance algae ect growth in the display. Just a much more stable beginning and no frustration from ugly stages, cyano, dinos ect. I feel the combination of bacterial strains including the liverock enhance along with pods and phytoplankton is the key.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Yes I cycled about 1000 pounds in two 300g totes. I then picked through and used what I wanted then sold off the rest to local reefers.

Benefits for me was and dust ect fell off in the totes. Bacteria and pods had time to work into the rock and get fully established. Didn't get any nuisance algae ect growth in the display. Just a much more stable beginning and no frustration from ugly stages, cyano, dinos ect. I feel the combination of bacterial strains including the liverock enhance along with pods and phytoplankton is the key.

Cool! Did you have cyano or algae in the cycling bins?
I see Reefbrites also has a product called "Reef enhance"... Ever used this?

 

[Spare time]

I would still add some cycling bacteria and not rely on whatever bacteria carib sea uses. Heck, their "live" sand is freshwater bacteria that won't survive long term in a marine tank. Since I lack this trust in that company, I would read their descriptions cautiously. However, I do have some of that rock in my tank and it looks neat

 

[Shooter6]

Cool! Did you have cyano or algae in the cycling bins?
I see Reefbrites also has a product called "Reef enhance"... Ever used this?

I didnt get anything in the totes, I kept them covered and a jeabo dcp10000 turning the water over in each.

The liverock enhance is what I used. I believe they have a second product reef enhance ive not used yet because it was out of stock when I've tried ordering, but I plan to. It's supposed to be phytoplankton, but I don't know if it's live culture's that can be grow, or if it's crushed for abosorbstion by coral.

 

[jmatt]

Heck, their "live" sand is freshwater bacteria that won't survive long term in a marine tank.

Huh. I guess a) how do you know that? and b) why would they do that? That makes no sense from their perspective, if the product doesn't perform.

 

[Spare time]

Huh. I guess a) how do you know that? and b) why would they do that? That makes no sense from their perspective, if the product doesn't perform.

The owner of brs mentioned it in one of their live video chats. Its probably far cheaper. Plus, if they can at least start on the nitrogen cycle, most people wouldn't question it. Ocean direct is different though, and that is made by carib sea.

 

[jmatt]

pods had time to work into the rock and get fully established.

This is the first time I've heard of someone employing pods in their cycle. My LFS sells them, perhaps I'll try it.

 

[jmatt]

The owner of brs mentioned it in one of their live video chats. Its probably far cheaper.

Sheesh. Thanks for the heads up, I'll look into that.

 

[gbroadbridge]

This is the first time I've heard of someone employing pods in their cycle. My LFS sells them, perhaps I'll try it.

I did too (forgot until now).

Phyto and pods as well as the bottle bac.

I had no ugly stage at all, but I was also running UV after the first month.

 

[Shooter6]

This is the first time I've heard of someone employing pods in their cycle. My LFS sells them, perhaps I'll try it.

They eat the food from ghost feeding, processing it into ammonia and nitrogen that feeds the bacteria. They reproduce, adding more generations that will feed fish and coral along with help the breakdown of food and poop from the future fish.