Question regarding cycling an empty tank

[Sierra_Bravo]

I have a 120-gallon tank that's wet but sitting empty: no rock, sand or livestock. I'm waiting until I return from a business trip about two weeks from now before adding rock and substrate and starting the cycle.

My question is would it do any good to get a head start and throw a bottle of Bio-Spira or Dr. Tim's and some ammonia while I'm gone? It's flowing through an empty sump and other than a course filter in the bubble trap the only places the bacteria will have to grow are the surfaces of the tank and sump itself. I won't be able to monitor it while I'm away, of course.

Would this be a waste of time?

 

[cjd]

The tank started to cycle the minute it got wet with saltwater. Obviously it wont be that efficient being empty , but it has already started . I would put some rock that you plan to use in the sump to help at least . As far as adding anything to "seed" the tank , never been a fan . Some rave about doing so , others claim it throw things off course causing even a longer cycle to occur. I am a set it and forget it , let nature do its thing. I have set up too many tanks from dry everything and you can just about set your calendar to the 30 day mark to cycle a new tank. After 30 days a clean up crew gets introduced and 2 weeks after that the first hardier coral or fish .

 

[Brew12]

I have a 120-gallon tank that's wet but sitting empty: no rock, sand or livestock. I'm waiting until I return from a business trip about two weeks from now before adding rock and substrate and starting the cycle.

My question is would it do any good to get a head start and throw a bottle of Bio-Spira or Dr. Tim's and some ammonia while I'm gone? It's flowing through an empty sump and other than a course filter in the bubble trap the only places the bacteria will have to grow are the surfaces of the tank and sump itself. I won't be able to monitor it while I'm away, of course.

Would this be a waste of time?

I would just wait until you get back. Most of the bacteria will populate in the rocks. Some will cling to the glass but there isn't enough surface area for any significant cycle to be established.

 

[Tahoe61]

The tank started to cycle the minute it got wet with saltwater. Obviously it wont be that efficient being empty , but it has already started . I would put some rock that you plan to use in the sump to help at least . As far as adding anything to "seed" the tank , never been a fan . Some rave about doing so , others claim it throw things off course causing even a longer cycle to occur. I am a set it and forget it , let nature do its thing. I have set up too many tanks from dry everything and you can just about set your calendar to the 30 day mark to cycle a new tank. After 30 days a clean up crew gets introduced and 2 weeks after that the first hardier coral or fish .

Yup been doing it this way for decades. Set and forget.