Cycling Question

nl359 · 09/02/2009, 07:55 PM

I plan on cycling my 90 gal tank with live rock. Do you use a protein skimmer and/or carbon during the cycle? If no when should you begin to use them. Also the lighting... when should you begin to use it? I have read not to turn the lights on at all during the cycle and then to gradually start to phase lighting in after the cycle is complete. Any other tips you all might have about cycling a tank using live rock would also be appreciated. Thanks!

PRDubois · 09/02/2009, 08:49 PM

Use skimmer from day one. You do not need carbon yet.
Run the lights if you have them on timer for 6 to 8 hours a day
You have four weeks to wait till anything goes in your tank. Good time to read and plan on what you want to get

bkaradza · 09/03/2009, 01:20 AM

When I make my 1st tank I put fishes and corals after 15 days (I use sea water), but now when I make other tank I will wait for minimum 3-4 months before I start puting fishes and corals in aquarium... If you have time to wait it's better to wait little more.

PRDubois · 09/03/2009, 01:22 AM

3 to 4 months is a little drastic. 4 to 6 weeks is fine as long as you start slow.

judgedread · 09/03/2009, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by nl359
I plan on cycling my 90 gal tank with live rock. Do you use a protein skimmer and/or carbon during the cycle? If no when should you begin to use them. Also the lighting... when should you begin to use it? I have read not to turn the lights on at all during the cycle and then to gradually start to phase lighting in after the cycle is complete. Any other tips you all might have about cycling a tank using live rock would also be appreciated. Thanks!

its ok to run yr skimmer and carbon and if you want to speed things up then add some seachem stability.
i kept my light on to minimise die off.

bkaradza · 09/03/2009, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by PRDubois
3 to 4 months is a little drastic. 4 to 6 weeks is fine as long as you start slow.

I know it's drastic but I wanna strart aquarium and put fishes in it little slower then I make on my 1s aquarium (90g aquarium with 3 tangs 10 small fishes and 4 shrimps) where fishes and corals was introduced in tank after 4-8 weeks... Lucky no big problem with corals exept some SPS since tank isn't good for them atm (to much nitrate).

09/02/2009, 07:55 PM	#1
nl359 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 16	Cycling Question I plan on cycling my 90 gal tank with live rock. Do you use a protein skimmer and/or carbon during the cycle? If no when should you begin to use them. Also the lighting... when should you begin to use it? I have read not to turn the lights on at all during the cycle and then to gradually start to phase lighting in after the cycle is complete. Any other tips you all might have about cycling a tank using live rock would also be appreciated. Thanks!

09/02/2009, 08:49 PM	#2
PRDubois Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chester, VA Posts: 3,626	Use skimmer from day one. You do not need carbon yet. Run the lights if you have them on timer for 6 to 8 hours a day You have four weeks to wait till anything goes in your tank. Good time to read and plan on what you want to get __________________ http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2534403 Current Tank Info: 225 gal Reef, 60 gal reef & 40b frag tank

09/03/2009, 01:22 AM	#4
PRDubois Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chester, VA Posts: 3,626	3 to 4 months is a little drastic. 4 to 6 weeks is fine as long as you start slow. __________________ http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2534403 Current Tank Info: 225 gal Reef, 60 gal reef & 40b frag tank

09/03/2009, 01:20 AM	#3
bkaradza Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Split, Croatia Posts: 57	When I make my 1st tank I put fishes and corals after 15 days (I use sea water), but now when I make other tank I will wait for minimum 3-4 months before I start puting fishes and corals in aquarium... If you have time to wait it's better to wait little more.