How long till I can add coral?

H2oH2o · 02/16/2009, 09:08 AM

I just set up my 70 gallon tank yesterday. It has about 55-60 lbs of substrate and 80 lbs of rock. I added some strees zyme for the bacteria. I was wondering how long I should wait before adding corals?

Also I have a Euro Reef skimmer skimming away, should I turn it off till the cycle,or can I leave in on?

Thanks
Josh

da5speed · 02/16/2009, 09:16 AM

i waited 2 months before add coral

drparker · 02/16/2009, 09:24 AM

you'll need to let it go through a full cycle, 4 to 6 weeks. Was the rock live or dry? If it was dry you'll need to add something to fuel the cycle. Before Adding coral I suggest a cleanup crew. don't add anything until you've seen Ammonia, Nitrite and then Nitrate spike and then drop to zero. Nitrate might not drop all the way to zero but will spike and then drop. You should see a diatom bloom and will probably also get a hair algae outbreak and a pod bloom. These are all signs that the cycle is moving along nicely.

Edit: Leave the skimmer on and do regular water changes.

Sk8r · 02/16/2009, 09:27 AM

depends on your stability: this may help.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1576830

02/16/2009, 09:08 AM	#1
H2oH2o Grower of the Small Polyp Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Concord, NC Posts: 211	How long till I can add coral? I just set up my 70 gallon tank yesterday. It has about 55-60 lbs of substrate and 80 lbs of rock. I added some strees zyme for the bacteria. I was wondering how long I should wait before adding corals? Also I have a Euro Reef skimmer skimming away, should I turn it off till the cycle,or can I leave in on? Thanks Josh

02/16/2009, 09:27 AM	#4
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	depends on your stability: this may help. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1576830 __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

02/16/2009, 09:16 AM	#2
da5speed Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Huntington NY Posts: 123	i waited 2 months before add coral

02/16/2009, 09:24 AM	#3
drparker Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Palatine, IL Posts: 2,652	you'll need to let it go through a full cycle, 4 to 6 weeks. Was the rock live or dry? If it was dry you'll need to add something to fuel the cycle. Before Adding coral I suggest a cleanup crew. don't add anything until you've seen Ammonia, Nitrite and then Nitrate spike and then drop to zero. Nitrate might not drop all the way to zero but will spike and then drop. You should see a diatom bloom and will probably also get a hair algae outbreak and a pod bloom. These are all signs that the cycle is moving along nicely. Edit: Leave the skimmer on and do regular water changes.