Cycle Questions

FranktheTankTx · 06/15/2008, 08:26 AM

Got some questions about cycling my 36g corner tank in the next couple of months.
I have cycled plenty of tanks in my life, but I never had sumps/refugiums back in those days.

1. I would think I would run the sump online during cycling. But do I have the protein skimmer on too? Something tells me I should leave the skimmer off during the cycle. Heck, I might should leave the sump off too???

2. Should I have the HOB refugium (CPR AquaFuge2) on during the cycle?

3. Light schedule? I will run a 250w MH pendant over the tank... how many hours should the light run during the cycle?

4. Do I do water changes during the cycle? Do I run carbon, or PO4 during the cycle?

I think the main reason for asking these kind of questions is to eliminate as much unwanted algae in places (sump, refugium, skimmer, etc.) as possible during the cycle.

What's your opinions? Any other suggestions?

FranktheTankTx · 06/15/2008, 10:34 AM

bump-a-rooski

goldenfamaliy · 06/15/2008, 11:19 AM

do you have any live rock in the tank? you are going to get some alge, clean up crew and such will help after the cycle.

1. yes
2. yes
3. Just use a shorter lighting cycle if you want to. I have 2 250 over my 75, still building the hood for the T5's and MHs to go in and I only have the lights on for about 5- 6 hrs, and when I get the T5's in I will have them start a few hours before and off a few hours after.
4. yes

HTH

FranktheTankTx · 06/15/2008, 02:34 PM

That's a start.

Yes, I will put live rock in the tank... and it will be BB. I'll have about 4-5" of sand in the Refugium with some chaeto.

Anyone else?

06/15/2008, 08:26 AM	#1
FranktheTankTx Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 2,306	Cycle Questions Got some questions about cycling my 36g corner tank in the next couple of months. I have cycled plenty of tanks in my life, but I never had sumps/refugiums back in those days. 1. I would think I would run the sump online during cycling. But do I have the protein skimmer on too? Something tells me I should leave the skimmer off during the cycle. Heck, I might should leave the sump off too??? 2. Should I have the HOB refugium (CPR AquaFuge2) on during the cycle? 3. Light schedule? I will run a 250w MH pendant over the tank... how many hours should the light run during the cycle? 4. Do I do water changes during the cycle? Do I run carbon, or PO4 during the cycle? I think the main reason for asking these kind of questions is to eliminate as much unwanted algae in places (sump, refugium, skimmer, etc.) as possible during the cycle. What's your opinions? Any other suggestions? __________________ Frank the Tank "What, I thought we were in the trust tree... in the nest? Are we not?" Current Tank Info: Custom Rimless 60g (30.5"x24.5"x18.5")

06/15/2008, 10:34 AM	#2
FranktheTankTx Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 2,306	bump-a-rooski __________________ Frank the Tank "What, I thought we were in the trust tree... in the nest? Are we not?" Current Tank Info: Custom Rimless 60g (30.5"x24.5"x18.5")

06/15/2008, 11:19 AM	#3
goldenfamaliy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: springfield, missouri Posts: 374	do you have any live rock in the tank? you are going to get some alge, clean up crew and such will help after the cycle. 1. yes 2. yes 3. Just use a shorter lighting cycle if you want to. I have 2 250 over my 75, still building the hood for the T5's and MHs to go in and I only have the lights on for about 5- 6 hrs, and when I get the T5's in I will have them start a few hours before and off a few hours after. 4. yes HTH __________________ Saving the world one paper plate at a time!!! There is no I in team, but there is a me! Dagget from the Angry beavers Current Tank Info: Solana, MP10es w, Ecotech radion, water, salt, pretty colored thingys

06/15/2008, 02:34 PM	#4
FranktheTankTx Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 2,306	That's a start. Yes, I will put live rock in the tank... and it will be BB. I'll have about 4-5" of sand in the Refugium with some chaeto. Anyone else? __________________ Frank the Tank "What, I thought we were in the trust tree... in the nest? Are we not?" Current Tank Info: Custom Rimless 60g (30.5"x24.5"x18.5")