Cycling question

BigMike75 · 12/26/2009, 12:22 AM

I have 50lbs of fresh Fiji LR and 75lbs of Totoka LR. The Totoka came out of a system that had been setup for a year of so. I placed the fresh fiji and the totoka in a 110 gallon stock tank to cure. After about 1.5 weeks all the rock is cured. 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite I am keeping the cycle going with a few shrimp in a mesh bag in the tub. I cured the rock in a tub so I didn't end up with all the nitrates from the process in my reef tank.

My question when I add my rock and sand to my tank do I need to put some more shrimp in my DT or will it be ok to add a couple of Clownfish to start with. Then add my CUC when the diatoms start?

All help is greatly appreciated.

Bontrager · 12/26/2009, 07:30 AM

It's my understanding that if you are using distilled and/or R.O. water from the start including topping off you should not have a diatom bloom.

This is the method that I have followed with my last to tanks and have npt had any diatoms. Diatoms are caused by water containing "silicates"; this is what I have learned.

Playa-1 · 12/26/2009, 08:30 AM

You can get rid of the Shrimp in the mesh bag. I would clean the rock up and aquascape the DT. Let it run for a few days and make sure the Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates are at 0 in the DT. There is no need to force another Ammonia spike in the DT at that point as the bacteria that you're looking for will already be present on the cured liverock. Once the parameters are in line and everything is running smooth and stable you're ready to begin slowly stocking the tank.

Chiefsurfer · 12/26/2009, 08:32 AM

if you cure all your rock together, and let the ammonia spike, there should be plenty of bacteria to already support a fish or two. You can theoretically do either. You can either spike your ammonia with shrimp, and put fish in fairly fast, or go nice and slow, 1 or 2 fish every 2-3 weeks.

lordofthereef · 12/26/2009, 09:06 AM

I will add hat you will likely have some measure of bacterial die off once your waste production is dropped. I am guessing if you are starting with just two clowns your waste production will indeed drop when compared to what is essentially decomposing shrimp. This in and of itself may give you a slight spike, but perhaps not.

BigMike75 · 12/26/2009, 10:37 AM

Thanks, I was pretty sure that I would be ok. I will pull the shrimp out for a day or 2 before I aquascape, I still need to get my plumbing done and do a water test.

gtaylor67 · 12/26/2009, 01:16 PM

If you are spending the money for a pair of clowns you might wait on them and start with some chromis. Or some of the lower end fish, First... A true pair will be high..

csdavis · 12/26/2009, 02:06 PM

i would wait and make sure that there aren't any spikes but like the others said, theoretically it would be fine, it may just be a harsh experience for the clowns.

jimzin15754 · 12/26/2009, 02:28 PM

I wouldnt buy any fish you dont want in your tank permanently. From the sounds of things your tank is in pretty good shape for a couple small fish. Clowns are pretty tough in my limited (2 yrs) experience. If thats what you want then go for it. I would not buy a "true" pair as I did the 1st time then several friends kinda laughed and said, why? 2 clowns will pair on their own anyway. Havnt tried it but it makes sense.

BigMike75 · 12/26/2009, 09:41 PM

It's not a true pair. I have a black and white in my frag tank and I need to find a orange and white. I will give it a few days to check my water pram.

12/26/2009, 12:22 AM	#1
BigMike75 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Mount Washington, KY Posts: 360	Cycling question I have 50lbs of fresh Fiji LR and 75lbs of Totoka LR. The Totoka came out of a system that had been setup for a year of so. I placed the fresh fiji and the totoka in a 110 gallon stock tank to cure. After about 1.5 weeks all the rock is cured. 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite I am keeping the cycle going with a few shrimp in a mesh bag in the tub. I cured the rock in a tub so I didn't end up with all the nitrates from the process in my reef tank. My question when I add my rock and sand to my tank do I need to put some more shrimp in my DT or will it be ok to add a couple of Clownfish to start with. Then add my CUC when the diatoms start? All help is greatly appreciated.

12/26/2009, 09:06 AM	#5
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	I will add hat you will likely have some measure of bacterial die off once your waste production is dropped. I am guessing if you are starting with just two clowns your waste production will indeed drop when compared to what is essentially decomposing shrimp. This in and of itself may give you a slight spike, but perhaps not. __________________ "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!

12/26/2009, 02:06 PM	#8
csdavis Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 54	i would wait and make sure that there aren't any spikes but like the others said, theoretically it would be fine, it may just be a harsh experience for the clowns. __________________ 55 gallon DT with 30 gallon sump, 2x175 watt metal halides + 2x110 watt VHO actinics, [[Been dosing vodka for years, maybe I will start putting it into my tank :).]]

12/26/2009, 07:30 AM	#2
Bontrager Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 123	It's my understanding that if you are using distilled and/or R.O. water from the start including topping off you should not have a diatom bloom. This is the method that I have followed with my last to tanks and have npt had any diatoms. Diatoms are caused by water containing "silicates"; this is what I have learned.

12/26/2009, 08:30 AM	#3
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	You can get rid of the Shrimp in the mesh bag. I would clean the rock up and aquascape the DT. Let it run for a few days and make sure the Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates are at 0 in the DT. There is no need to force another Ammonia spike in the DT at that point as the bacteria that you're looking for will already be present on the cured liverock. Once the parameters are in line and everything is running smooth and stable you're ready to begin slowly stocking the tank.

12/26/2009, 08:32 AM	#4
Chiefsurfer Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seaside Park, NJ Posts: 2,138	if you cure all your rock together, and let the ammonia spike, there should be plenty of bacteria to already support a fish or two. You can theoretically do either. You can either spike your ammonia with shrimp, and put fish in fairly fast, or go nice and slow, 1 or 2 fish every 2-3 weeks.

12/26/2009, 10:37 AM	#6
BigMike75 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Mount Washington, KY Posts: 360	Thanks, I was pretty sure that I would be ok. I will pull the shrimp out for a day or 2 before I aquascape, I still need to get my plumbing done and do a water test.

12/26/2009, 01:16 PM	#7
gtaylor67 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: OKLAHOMA Posts: 151	If you are spending the money for a pair of clowns you might wait on them and start with some chromis. Or some of the lower end fish, First... A true pair will be high..

12/26/2009, 02:28 PM	#9
jimzin15754 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 109	I wouldnt buy any fish you dont want in your tank permanently. From the sounds of things your tank is in pretty good shape for a couple small fish. Clowns are pretty tough in my limited (2 yrs) experience. If thats what you want then go for it. I would not buy a "true" pair as I did the 1st time then several friends kinda laughed and said, why? 2 clowns will pair on their own anyway. Havnt tried it but it makes sense.

12/26/2009, 09:41 PM	#10
BigMike75 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Mount Washington, KY Posts: 360	It's not a true pair. I have a black and white in my frag tank and I need to find a orange and white. I will give it a few days to check my water pram.