New tank question

[Reef Able]

Okkkkk so i am back...cant stay away from this hobby lol...I bought myself a 7 month old Innovative marine 50 set up in a package deal this morning...Pictures will come soon but for now i need some help and info in terms of cycling this tank....

The plan is to add CaribSea life rock and live sand and make it a sweet lps system. Now what i need to know is i have a 20G cube running at the moment which is matured and has corals, live rock etc...I am thinking of using its water to cycle my IM50 quickly. What do u guys think?

 

[sbash]

The water won't really speed up the cycle. There is not enough bacteria in the water column to process any significant amount of ammonia/nitrogens. I mean, it can't hurt, but it is not going to help.

If you want to speed up the cycle, use a good amount of live rock, or add bottled bacteria.

 

[Reef Able]

Thanks....i was under the impression the water would help but thanks for clarifying....so adding the live rock will help...

 

[Pntbll687]

Are you going to be running both tanks?

If not, you can just transfer from the old, and add in the extra water you need. Shouldn't have a problem. Maybe add in a bottle of bio-spira or dr tims to boost the bacteria population

 

[Rufus’ goofs]

I would either use a small piece of live rock from your cube (if possible), or just let the 50 cycle the slow way, which gives you plenty of time for you to decide that the “perfect scape” you came up with last night, needs some adjustment.

 

[Tahoe61]

Take some of filtration media foam/floss/charcoal and add it to the new tank, use live sand and bacteria in a bottle and you should be good to go in 2 weeks. I am current cycling an IM 40 with live sand and bacteria in bottle and ghost feedings, 9 days in.

 

[Reef Able]

Thanks guys...I will be closing down my other tank to be honest...i would prefer using the water, sand and rock from my 20G however at the same time i am also worried i may introduce any pests IF ANY who knows in the new tank...I JUST WANT TO BE SAFE...i think i am going to let the 50 cycle on its own as Ergodyne suggested and keep working on my aquascape...can i add the rock and sand on Day 1...i will be adding dry rock and LIVE sand AND MAYBE A LITTLE LIVE ROCK to seed it...

 

[Rufus’ goofs]

The only reason I would wait to add the rock after the sand would be so that the sand settles and the water is clearer when you first start trying to outline your aquascape. Otherwise if you’re confident your piece of live rock is pest free, then you’re set to add it all in day 1.

If you aren’t concerned about having live sand, you could rinse the sand to help get rid of the small particulates which would help clear up the water sooner. There are also “water clarifyers”.

Don’t forget to post us a picture! I’d love to see you’re aquascape.

 

[Reef Able]

The only reason I would wait to add the rock after the sand would be so that the sand settles and the water is clearer when you first start trying to outline your aquascape. Otherwise if you’re confident your piece of live rock is pest free, then you’re set to add it all in day 1.

If you aren’t concerned about having live sand, you could rinse the sand to help get rid of the small particulates which would help clear up the water sooner. There are also “water clarifyers”.

Don’t forget to post us a picture! I’d love to see you’re aquascape.

Hi Ergodyne
Thanks...i have a new thread going on where i am documenting the build...Just started the thread yesterday with some pictures...