can i start my cycling early?

timdam · 04/27/2010, 11:48 AM

i am getting my stand tomorrow. so can i start with the cycling process even before i set up the plumbing/filtration? can i go ahead and fill it with water and live sand and base rock and start the cycling process? i don't plan on plumbing it until like next week or so.

would it be wiser to wait until i've plumbed it?

rxonco · 04/27/2010, 11:54 AM

As long as you have some form of circulation going in the tank, I don't see any harm in it.

Wiggywiggy · 04/27/2010, 12:01 PM

I think it wouldbe fine. You do mean after you get your stand and the tank, etc is all in position first correct? I would hate to think about moving everything around after you have already set it up once..can be troublesome.

Lannyrx7 · 04/27/2010, 12:13 PM

Yes it will be ok if you have steady temp and waterflow. I ran my tank with rock, sand, and water that was lower than my drains for 2 weeks while I got my plumbing and sump ready. By the time i got it all setup I had less than a week of a cycle. If you're using base rock make sure you put a dead shrimp or something in there to jumpstart the cycle while you wait.

iamwrasseman · 04/27/2010, 12:27 PM

yes you should be okay if you do what the above posters are explaining but just settle down with this hobby . you will find that slow is the way to go and you are just setting up you tank and looking to go fast already . i myself would wait and set everything up at the same time . you have a cycle time that is basically four to six weeks and sometimes longer ,so ask yourself if the four days will make a big difference before you start rushing through the initial cycle .

timdam · 04/27/2010, 12:53 PM

well, i plan on letting it cycle for about a month. i'm trying to be patient. but u don't understand, i've had my tank but i've been waiting for a whole month for my stand to finally get done! i'm growing impatient every day! i already have the lights for it and i am ready to get this think started. that's all. let me tell u, it sux to read everything on this forum every day to gain knowledge, without even having my tank started yet. i'm ready!

yes, i was thinking about running the water with all that other stuff in it. while running my MP40 that i got. and i saw something at the LFS that is supposed to be some bacteria to help it cycle. i can do the piece of shrimp thing too.

any other thoughts?

iamwrasseman · 04/27/2010, 01:04 PM

yes i know how hard it is for sure and just if you understand to go slow you will be good . i have about $3500 worth of stuff for my 250 gal tank and it will be a year before i get everything but i do have seven other tanks to keep me fulfilled for the moment . i hope all goes well for you and the shrimp thing will do for sure .

timdam · 04/27/2010, 01:10 PM

thanks for the vote of confidence, dave.

not to hijack my own thread, but where do u put your seven tanks?

04/27/2010, 11:48 AM	#1
timdam Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 815	can i start my cycling early? i am getting my stand tomorrow. so can i start with the cycling process even before i set up the plumbing/filtration? can i go ahead and fill it with water and live sand and base rock and start the cycling process? i don't plan on plumbing it until like next week or so. would it be wiser to wait until i've plumbed it?

04/27/2010, 12:01 PM	#3
Wiggywiggy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: SE_Texas Posts: 13	I think it wouldbe fine. You do mean after you get your stand and the tank, etc is all in position first correct? I would hate to think about moving everything around after you have already set it up once..can be troublesome. __________________ Insanity - continously repeating the same action expecting different results... Current Tank Info: 29g Biocube mainly softies, 120g rescue, cycling..

04/27/2010, 12:27 PM	#5
iamwrasseman Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: syracuse Posts: 7,003	yes you should be okay if you do what the above posters are explaining but just settle down with this hobby . you will find that slow is the way to go and you are just setting up you tank and looking to go fast already . i myself would wait and set everything up at the same time . you have a cycle time that is basically four to six weeks and sometimes longer ,so ask yourself if the four days will make a big difference before you start rushing through the initial cycle . __________________ This hobby certainly can put you in some weird positions ! Dave Current Tank Info: 40 freshwater,25saltwater 2000 gallons ,enough tanks for an army ?

04/27/2010, 01:04 PM	#7
iamwrasseman Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: syracuse Posts: 7,003	yes i know how hard it is for sure and just if you understand to go slow you will be good . i have about $3500 worth of stuff for my 250 gal tank and it will be a year before i get everything but i do have seven other tanks to keep me fulfilled for the moment . i hope all goes well for you and the shrimp thing will do for sure . __________________ This hobby certainly can put you in some weird positions ! Dave Current Tank Info: 40 freshwater,25saltwater 2000 gallons ,enough tanks for an army ?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
start the cycle before the substrate	ericbye	New to the Hobby	3	05/21/2006 09:05 PM
? on start up cycle	bmrigs	New to the Hobby	4	05/21/2006 11:02 AM
Start to cycle my tank, several questions	lbear	New to the Hobby	3	05/15/2006 07:43 PM
starting the cycle w/LR and a light	flashlink	New to the Hobby	4	04/23/2006 12:19 AM

04/27/2010, 11:54 AM	#2
rxonco Reef Pharmacist Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 217	As long as you have some form of circulation going in the tank, I don't see any harm in it.

04/27/2010, 12:13 PM	#4
Lannyrx7 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Omaha,NE Posts: 96	Yes it will be ok if you have steady temp and waterflow. I ran my tank with rock, sand, and water that was lower than my drains for 2 weeks while I got my plumbing and sump ready. By the time i got it all setup I had less than a week of a cycle. If you're using base rock make sure you put a dead shrimp or something in there to jumpstart the cycle while you wait.

04/27/2010, 12:53 PM	#6
timdam Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 815	well, i plan on letting it cycle for about a month. i'm trying to be patient. but u don't understand, i've had my tank but i've been waiting for a whole month for my stand to finally get done! i'm growing impatient every day! i already have the lights for it and i am ready to get this think started. that's all. let me tell u, it sux to read everything on this forum every day to gain knowledge, without even having my tank started yet. i'm ready! yes, i was thinking about running the water with all that other stuff in it. while running my MP40 that i got. and i saw something at the LFS that is supposed to be some bacteria to help it cycle. i can do the piece of shrimp thing too. any other thoughts?

04/27/2010, 01:10 PM	#8
timdam Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 815	thanks for the vote of confidence, dave. not to hijack my own thread, but where do u put your seven tanks?