What steps to take after cycling?

Goodair · Feb 21, 2019

Hello all!
I been cycling my live rock for about a month now in a bin. The ammonia and nitrites are being processed so im looking on guidance on what to start preparing.

One thing I've read was breaking in the skimmer and would like some tips.
Also looking for other things to do before moving the rock into the display tank and before ordering the fish.

90gal predator tank
29gal sump
lion, puffer, rabbit
1 urchin, snails
a brittle star and soft corals after some months pass

RELLIK-REEF · Feb 21, 2019

Goodair said:
Hello all!
I been cycling my live rock for about a month now in a bin. The ammonia and nitrites are being processed so im looking on guidance on what to start preparing.

One thing I've read was breaking in the skimmer and would like some tips.
Also looking for other things to do before moving the rock into the display tank and before ordering the fish.

90gal predator tank
29gal sump
lion, puffer, rabbit
1 urchin, snails
a brittle star and soft corals after some months pass

Your puffer will eat your urchin eventually. What is your tank doing right now? Why didnt you cycle the rocks in there since you dont have fish yet? You need to get the rock and (sand if you plan on a base) in there so that your tank will have the time to cycle the bacteria in it that is need for your fish.

RELLIK-REEF · Feb 21, 2019

Rellikeno said:
Your puffer will eat your urchin eventually. What is your tank doing right now? Why didnt you cycle the rocks in there since you dont have fish yet? You need to get the rock and (sand if you plan on a base) in there so that your tank will have the time to cycle the bacteria in it that is need for your fish.

At least that was my understanding and how we went about it when we started our first tank.

Sod Buster · Feb 21, 2019

Get that rock in the tank & feed it some ammonia

Goodair · Feb 21, 2019

Rellikeno said:
Your puffer will eat your urchin eventually. What is your tank doing right now? Why didnt you cycle the rocks in there since you dont have fish yet? You need to get the rock and (sand if you plan on a base) in there so that your tank will have the time to cycle the bacteria in it that is need for your fish.

Doing alot of DIY so i had the rock cycling in the bin as I built and ordered items. Basically saved myself a month of waiting.

Goodair · Feb 21, 2019

Sod Buster said:
Get that rock in the tank & feed it some ammonia

Ive been ghost feeding the bin and checking the levels from time to time. Ammonia and nitrites are being converted to nitrates atm.

Sod Buster · Feb 21, 2019

You are ready. If you can convert 2ppm to 3ppm ammonia in 24 hours to zero, what are you waiting for?

RELLIK-REEF · Feb 21, 2019

Goodair said:
Ive been ghost feeding the bin and checking the levels from time to time. Ammonia and nitrites are being converted to nitrates atm.

Well that's a plus, I love DIY projects as you could see with my cabinet and sump projects, but if you have your tank up now then get the tank cycled not just your rock or you'll still have to wait longer for your fish.

Goodair · Feb 21, 2019

Just checking if im missing anything before dumping money on fish lol. Haha

Goodair · Feb 21, 2019

Sod Buster said:
You are ready. If you can convert 2ppm to 3ppm ammonia in 24 hours to zero, what are you waiting for?

Rellikeno said:
Well that's a plus, I love DIY projects as you could see with my cabinet and sump projects, but if you have your tank up now then get the tank cycled not just your rock or you'll still have to wait longer for your fish.

So I'll throw my rock in tommorow and play with the skimmer and stuff.
I'm hoping the urchin doesnt get eaten but wont be too upset if it does. As long as the cuc live long enough to take care of algae for thier worth.

OutsideBrian · Feb 21, 2019

Goodair said:
Just checking if im missing anything before dumping money on fish lol. Haha

Yes your missing the step where you fill your tank

All kidding aside i would get your tank set up and dose ammonia and verify that you don’t get a cycle out of the newly set up system. “Cooking” the rock in a bin helps. But the added volume and general disruption of moving from your bin to a tank could cause a mini cycle.

Sod Buster · Feb 21, 2019

Set the tank up and convert ammonia like you are for a week or two before one fish comes in.

Sod Buster · Feb 21, 2019

After the bacterial bloom when the water is all cloudy, you'll see the first of the algae coming in.

RELLIK-REEF · Feb 21, 2019

I completely agree, another cycle sequence could slow you even more, not a hobby to rush but you dont want to cause yourself added time either. Also be ready to lose most of your CUC fast to your puffer. Only a few fighting conchs seem to survive mine. It's good for them to be able to eat these tho as it helps grind their teeth.

BigRedReefer MT · Feb 21, 2019

Sounds like you should get your rock in and add your sand if using any. Then you can start ghost feeding the tank to build the biofilter in the sand while breaking in your skimmer and getting it tuned for your preferred skimmate. Wet and slightly nasty or dry and extra nasty. Then you don't have to tune it after adding stock (at least not as much). It would also give you a chance to check all your other functions such as top off, light timers, and check any dosing pumps for accuracy of fluid pumped.

Goodair · Feb 21, 2019

Sod Buster said:
After the bacterial bloom when the water is all cloudy, you'll see the first of the algae coming in.

Saw a post about starting with a cuc for the bacteria ans algae cycle. Then adding fish after those 2. Assuming this is good practice?

Rellikeno said:
I completely agree, another cycle sequence could slow you even more, not a hobby to rush but you dont want to cause yourself added time either. Also be ready to lose most of your CUC fast to your puffer. Only a few fighting conchs seem to survive mine. It's good for them to be able to eat these tho as it helps grind their teeth.

I was gonna try trochus snails but ill mix those in and see what happens. Would puffers really go for a longspine urchins? Its eith that or a tuxedo, leaning more on the longspine.

RELLIK-REEF · Feb 21, 2019

Goodair said:
Saw a post about starting with a cuc for the bacteria ans algae cycle. Then adding fish after those 2. Assuming this is good practice?

I was gonna try trochus snails but ill mix those in and see what happens. Would puffers really go for a longspine urchins? Its eith that or a tuxedo, leaning more on the longspine.

I had a long spine tiger and my puffer destroyed it after he was big enough. Learned the hard way...

RELLIK-REEF · Feb 21, 2019

I always have a monster CUC they knock out so much extra work and they are part of a reef why not stick to what works outside of our personal little cubes.

Sod Buster · Feb 21, 2019

Fish can make the algae cycle fine. You just can't add so many you overfeed what the established bacteria can handle. You will have a gha outbreak & mini cycle. If that happens, cut lights a few hours a day & take the cup off the skimmer and let it overflow during the day.