Picking up a 300 Gallon

occlowns · 11/15/2009, 01:27 AM

I just got a early christmas presant a 300 gallon

and want some feedback on how long I should cycle the new tank before adding the contents of my 120 Keeping in mind I recieved 600lbs of live rock covered in coraline and sponges and 300 lbs of sand as well as a 70 gallon sump? Thanks for looking

goochesfish · 11/15/2009, 01:39 AM

It depends on if your live rock and sand is sitting in a mature tank or sitting in a box all dried out. If it's in boxes, then cycling will take as long as it takes for the die off from your rock to go through the ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates spikes. This could take up to 3 months. Mine took 1 month but I think the rock was partially cured.

occlowns · 11/15/2009, 02:13 AM

I am just taking down the tank and moving it to Denver so the rock and sand was taken out of the water and put in my tank at home then will be moved back to the 300 tomorrow

lordofthereef · 11/15/2009, 07:58 AM

Of you are just breaking down the tank and resetting it up right away (which sounds to be basically what you are doing) you will not need to wait for a cycle as that will have effectively already occurred. You aren't trying to establish the bacteria as it is already there.

11/15/2009, 01:27 AM	#1
occlowns Moved On Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Denver CO Posts: 41	Picking up a 300 Gallon I just got a early christmas presant a 300 gallon and want some feedback on how long I should cycle the new tank before adding the contents of my 120 Keeping in mind I recieved 600lbs of live rock covered in coraline and sponges and 300 lbs of sand as well as a 70 gallon sump? Thanks for looking

11/15/2009, 01:39 AM	#2
goochesfish Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,305	It depends on if your live rock and sand is sitting in a mature tank or sitting in a box all dried out. If it's in boxes, then cycling will take as long as it takes for the die off from your rock to go through the ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates spikes. This could take up to 3 months. Mine took 1 month but I think the rock was partially cured. __________________ The Gooch, my Beagle, may she RIP 1995-2011 Current Tank Info: 150 gallon Starfire set up July 22,09, 30g QT

11/15/2009, 02:13 AM	#3
occlowns Moved On Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Denver CO Posts: 41	Rock was in the 300 G I am just taking down the tank and moving it to Denver so the rock and sand was taken out of the water and put in my tank at home then will be moved back to the 300 tomorrow

11/15/2009, 07:58 AM	#4
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	Of you are just breaking down the tank and resetting it up right away (which sounds to be basically what you are doing) you will not need to wait for a cycle as that will have effectively already occurred. You aren't trying to establish the bacteria as it is already there. __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!