already cycled or no?

myfrostymember · 11/07/2006, 11:24 PM

one of my lfs is about to shutdown there salt water section to start up a planted fresh water section-- this is just in time for my tank to be started up and am wondering about something--i was going to get my rock from them -they said they would sell there tank display rock and sand to me for 3-4 dollars per pound of rock and 1dollar per pound of sand--so if i buy that rock and sand and come straight home--5 minute drive and put it in my tanks will that make my tanks virtually already cycled?> the rock has been in there display tank for years and has never been shutdown--i thought it might go through a mini-cycle but wasnt sure of how this would work? anyone ever done anything like this?

Dubbin1 · 11/07/2006, 11:27 PM

It might go through a mini-cycle or it might not. The only way to know for sure is to keep an eye on your levels.

kass03 · 11/08/2006, 03:13 AM

Yep I agree with dubbin.

I used sand and rock from my 150 in my aquapod and it never cycled but I still tested water for the first cpl weeks to be sure.

Don't just add the sand and rock and expect to add animals right away.
I waited 2 weeks with no ammonia and then slowly moved some frags from my other tanks and watched them to be sure plus still tested.

kass

serpentman · 11/08/2006, 05:48 AM

Sounds like a good price for cured rock. I would also let the tank remain fallow for a while to make sure there are no parasites, etc. making the trip home with you. Maybe I am paranoid but because of the volume of fish LFS's see, I would "QT" the rock.

Shagsbeard · 11/08/2006, 06:44 AM

Yep... keep no fish with that stuff for at least 6-8 weeks. I'd wait the full 8. I bet the local fish store water is worse than the local wading pool. The "cycle" shouldn't be what you are worried about... sure they might be cylced.... but they have all sorts of stuff you don't want in your tank as well.

11/07/2006, 11:24 PM	#1
myfrostymember Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 503	already cycled or no? one of my lfs is about to shutdown there salt water section to start up a planted fresh water section-- this is just in time for my tank to be started up and am wondering about something--i was going to get my rock from them -they said they would sell there tank display rock and sand to me for 3-4 dollars per pound of rock and 1dollar per pound of sand--so if i buy that rock and sand and come straight home--5 minute drive and put it in my tanks will that make my tanks virtually already cycled?> the rock has been in there display tank for years and has never been shutdown--i thought it might go through a mini-cycle but wasnt sure of how this would work? anyone ever done anything like this?

11/08/2006, 05:48 AM	#4
serpentman part time superhero Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Deep in the Heart of the Snowbelt (NE OHIO) Posts: 5,698	Sounds like a good price for cured rock. I would also let the tank remain fallow for a while to make sure there are no parasites, etc. making the trip home with you. Maybe I am paranoid but because of the volume of fish LFS's see, I would "QT" the rock. __________________ BS in Marine Bio ('96), First SW tank in 1992. Current Tank(s) 300g SPS with 90g frag tank and 40 anemone tank - decommissioned 46g LPS/Softy Cube 300g FOWLR under construction - decommissioned

11/07/2006, 11:27 PM	#2
Dubbin1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Findlay, Ohio Posts: 11,540	It might go through a mini-cycle or it might not. The only way to know for sure is to keep an eye on your levels.

11/08/2006, 03:13 AM	#3
kass03 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Kaukauna, Wi Posts: 2,937	Yep I agree with dubbin. I used sand and rock from my 150 in my aquapod and it never cycled but I still tested water for the first cpl weeks to be sure. Don't just add the sand and rock and expect to add animals right away. I waited 2 weeks with no ammonia and then slowly moved some frags from my other tanks and watched them to be sure plus still tested. kass

11/08/2006, 06:44 AM	#5
Shagsbeard Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Morro Bay, CA Posts: 2,143	Yep... keep no fish with that stuff for at least 6-8 weeks. I'd wait the full 8. I bet the local fish store water is worse than the local wading pool. The "cycle" shouldn't be what you are worried about... sure they might be cylced.... but they have all sorts of stuff you don't want in your tank as well.