Which comes first: water/cycle, sand, live rock

[kdx7214]

I'm working on getting my 75 setup going. My plan was to just get it going and let the tank cycle for a couple of months. It occurred to me recently, however, that I might need to put the sand and dry (or live) rock in before the cycle completes. What's the right way to do this?

 

[MnFish1]

You will get 100 different answers.
Mine:

1. You do not need to wait 'months'
2. I would buy the rock you want - live or dead
3. I would add bottled bacteria - based on a study here - Fritz 9000
4. I would add fish the following day
5. I would test the usual - ammonia, nitrite, nitrate.
6. FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS

 

[Adrift]

You will get 100 different answers.
Mine:

1. You do not need to wait 'months'
2. I would buy the rock you want - live or dead
3. I would add bottled bacteria - based on a study here - Fritz 9000
4. I would add fish the following day
5. I would test the usual - ammonia, nitrite, nitrate.
6. FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS

Agreed.

 

[Subsea]

I would add one suggestion. Because I like diversity of diver collected live rock & live sand, I would first activate nitrification bacteria cycle with 50 lbs of dry sand & bottled bacteria. Once nitrogen cycle is completed, then I would add diver collected live rock.

 

[MnFish1]

I would add one suggestion. Because I like diversity of diver collected live rock & live sand, I would first activate nitrification bacteria cycle with 50 lbs of dry sand & bottled bacteria. Once nitrogen cycle is completed, then I would add diver collected live rock.

IN this case - you definitely do not need to wait months

 

[Tom nhia]

I'm working on getting my 75 setup going. My plan was to just get it going and let the tank cycle for a couple of months. It occurred to me recently, however, that I might need to put the sand and dry (or live) rock in before the cycle completes. What's the right way to do this?

I personally put rock, sand, and any other bio media (like marine pure etc) at the beginning of the cycle, that way the bacteria has more place to colonize.

 

[kdx7214]

You will get 100 different answers.
Mine:

1. You do not need to wait 'months'
2. I would buy the rock you want - live or dead
3. I would add bottled bacteria - based on a study here - Fritz 9000
4. I would add fish the following day
5. I would test the usual - ammonia, nitrite, nitrate.
6. FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS

Heh, the months is due to budgetary constraint more than anything else. I'm on a fixed income

 

[Lou City Reefing]

You will get 100 different answers.
Mine:

1. You do not need to wait 'months'
2. I would buy the rock you want - live or dead
3. I would add bottled bacteria - based on a study here - Fritz 9000
4. I would add fish the following day
5. I would test the usual - ammonia, nitrite, nitrate.
6. FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS

So, Fritz 9000 over Dr. Tims One and Only or could I use Dr Tims One and Only?

 

[MnFish1]

Heh, the months is due to budgetary constraint more than anything else. I'm on a fixed income

I might suggest - that rather than putting water into your tank for months - you save - and start more quickly. You will save energy - etc

 

[MnFish1]

So, Fritz 9000 over Dr. Tims One and Only or could I use Dr Tims One and Only?

Multiple opinions. It depends on what type of cycle you're trying to do?

 

[MnFish1]

So, Fritz 9000 over Dr. Tims One and Only or could I use Dr Tims One and Only?

I would suggest @Lasse's method

 

[Lou City Reefing]

I would suggest @Lasse's method

Do you mind to share the study if you could find it? (I'm just curious!) Also, what is their method? I will be using dry rock, and Special Grade Arag-Alive sand. I would love to start with 2 clown fish and then wait quite a while before adding anything else.

 

[MnFish1]

Do you mind to share the study if you could find it? (I'm just curious!) Also, what is their method? I will be using dry rock, and Special Grade Arag-Alive sand. I would love to start with 2 clown fish and then wait quite a while before adding anything else.

Do you mean @Lasse 's 15 step method?

 

[MnFish1]

15 Steps to Starting a Saltwater Aquarium: The Lasse Method

The Lasse Method for starting a saltwater aquarium.

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Lou City Reefing]

Do you mean @Lasse 's 15 step method?

I appreciate the link to Lasse's steps! I'll try to find the study you mentioned in your first comment as I'm just interested to see the data!

 

[MnFish1]

OH -you might mean the study by @Dr. Reef

 

[melonheadorion]

water is just a minor part of all of this. i feel that you are almost wasting your time if you go with water first. in any instance, you need bacteria for the water to cycle, and without something for it to live in (rock and/or sand), you arent going to cycle any faster, in fact, i would say that going straight water without rock or sand is just wasting energy.
if you are going to be taking time due to budgetary constraints,i would definately do at least rock first.

personally, i would say to just buy one large raw shrimp and throw it in the tank. let the ammonia rise, and let it all happen naturally. after all, if you ready to allow a large amount of time anyway, this wouldnt be a bad route. you could do the turbostarts, and whatnot to speed it along,, or you could just go the natures way and allow it to happen on its own. up to you really