Tank on Backorder

[Cincy_Reefer]

I purchased a WaterBox Marine X 90.3 tank / stand from their site along with 2 AI 16 HD’s.

Would it be possible to start a cycle in a Rubbermaid container or something of that nature while waiting for my tank?

First time with a saltwater tank - if this would be possible… what equipment/material would be required?

Thanks in advance!

 

[shakacuz]

if you have your rocks, i do not see an issue with trying to cycle early. just be vigilant of your testing to ensure the cycle is actually complete. and when you transfer things over to your new tank, test again to be sure before putting any livestock in.

refractometer, heater, pump, obviously the water/sand/rocks as well. ammonia, nitrite, and natrate test kits as well.

 

[Cincy_Reefer]

if you have your rocks, i do not see an issue with trying to cycle early. just be vigilant of your testing to ensure the cycle is actually complete. and when you transfer things over to your new tank, test again to be sure before putting any livestock in.

refractometer, heater, pump, obviously the water/sand/rocks as well. ammonia, nitrite, and natrate test kits as well.

Right on - do you think I would be creating problems by transferring a sand bed, disturbing the layers of beneficial bacteria?

 

[shakacuz]

Right on - do you think I would be creating problems by transferring a sand bed, disturbing the layers of beneficial bacteria?

trying to cycle that sand (new sand) before putting it in your main display will be tedious, maybe even unnecessary, as most people just rinse it and put in their DT. if you really wanted to, you could. especially if you're a stickler for making sure no unwanted pests get in the tank.

if you're transferring the sandbed from another tank, i wouldn't do that. i've read many posts about how this went south in many tanks.

 

[Cincy_Reefer]

trying to cycle that sand (new sand) before putting it in your main display will be tedious, maybe even unnecessary, as most people just rinse it and put in their DT. if you really wanted to, you could. especially if you're a stickler for making sure no unwanted pests get in the tank.

if you're transferring the sandbed from another tank, i wouldn't do that. i've read many posts about how this went south in many tanks.

Thank you for all the helpful info. I will probably just decide to end up waiting for the DT to arrive based on what you’ve described…

 

[shakacuz]

Thank you for all the helpful info. I will probably just decide to end up waiting for the DT to arrive based on what you’ve described…

start practicing that patience we all so desperately try and preach to everyone, haha!

 

[Cincy_Reefer]

start practicing that patience we all so desperately try and preach to everyone, haha!

Lol absolutely!

 

[Chrisv.]

I would absolutely cycle the rock in a brute trash can or Rubbermaid or whatever. No question about it, even for a second. It will be to your advantage. You will likely still need a period of adjustment when you move it to the new tank though.

The disadvantage is that you won't be able to cement it all together and dry fit the rock in the tank if you go this route. Not sure if you planned to cement it together.

I think it would be to your advantage to start the cycle now.

 

[Jennifer405]

I would absolutely cycle the rock in a brute trash can or Rubbermaid or whatever. No question about it, even for a second. It will be to your advantage. You will likely still need a period of adjustment when you move it to the new tank though.

The disadvantage is that you won't be able to cement it all together and dry fit the rock in the tank if you go this route. Not sure if you planned to cement it together.

I think it would be to your advantage to start the cycle now.

I'm thinking of doing the same thing (cycle in brute trash can), but a couple reefers said you don't need to "cure" MarcoRock. Perhaps I'm using the wrong terms since I'm just starting my research, but I thought the rock needed to go through curing to establish a healthy biofilm to jump start bacterial filtration when it's ready to go into the tank. Is curing only necessary with live rock? thx

 

[Chrisv.]

I'm thinking of doing the same thing (cycle in brute trash can), but a couple reefers said you don't need to "cure" MarcoRock. Perhaps I'm using the wrong terms since I'm just starting my research, but I thought the rock needed to go through curing to establish a healthy biofilm to jump start bacterial filtration when it's ready to go into the tank. Is curing only necessary with live rock? thx

So, back in the day when we got live rock, it would come in from the south Pacific and there would be a ton of dead marine life on it. We would put it in a bin with a heater and a pump to let it all rot. That's the historical use of the world "cute" and by that definition Marco rock does not need to cure.

However, a huge part of establishing a reef tank is getting the right microbial community on your rock. A dry rock won't have the magic microbes growing on it and will need to be seeded somehow. Different people used different approaches. Bottled bacteria or a few chunks of established live rock are the most popular these days. If you season your dry rock to get those bacteria growing, you will save a bit of time.

All of that said, I'm a pretty die hard fan of live rock and although you didn't ask, I do recommend it. Much easier to succeed.

 

[mehaffydr]

I would put the Marco rock in a brute trash can and buy a small amount depending on the tank size of real live rock from one of the Florida vendors so that you have a good diverse bunch bacteria and critters. If you do this in advance it will speed things up when you get the tank. You could also glue this rock just don't let it completely dry out while gluing or everything you worked for will die off. Marco 400 works on wet rock.

 

[OscarHaglund]

Make a mockup of your tank and build your aquascape according to the mockup. Take your finished scape and put it in one or more buckets or throughs and start cycling