Cycling Questions

TheSaint216 · 05/06/2012, 05:20 PM

Im getting an 11 gallon Mr.Aqua rimless tank. How long should I ideally let it cycle for? Im putting in sand which will be store bought and live rock that I currently have in my tank, it has mushrooms on it, bought it that way a month ago. How often should I change water? Im planning on running the powerhead day one, should I run the aquaclear or the skimmer to? Should I run my lights since I had shrooms on it? Im asking this question because I did everything you shouldnt do on my first tank and I want to do this tank right.

thanks

Reefmedic79 · 05/06/2012, 06:08 PM

Ideal cycle should take at least 8 weeks. Then it would be safe to add a CUC. The LR and the sand would be fine, and I wouldn't worry to much about the mushroom coral will very likely handle the cycle.

Water changes should be approximately 10% a week give or take.

A small aquaclear is all that would be needed for filtration a skimmer shouldn't be necessary.

Your lights can be on during the cycle, but it may increase the amount of algea that will grow during the cycle.

Over-all go very slow, bad things happen when you rush, especially in nano/pico systems.

Paros · 05/06/2012, 06:16 PM

I think if you take some water from your current tank from a water change and add that water with the live rock to your new tank you should not have to worry about a cycle. I would run the lights because of the mushroom on the rock. I think you would be fine with the aquaclear filter. I run one with the foam, carbon, purigen and the biomax and I have no problems. It seems to work for me. Good luck

TheSaint216 · 05/06/2012, 06:33 PM

Youd run just the aquaclear even with a clownfish? What's biomax? What's up fellow clevelander

Reefmedic79 · 05/06/2012, 06:37 PM

Just the aquaclear would be enough as long as its rated for your tank size.

Paros · 05/06/2012, 06:49 PM

Yes I run the aquaclear with 2 clownfish a star and peppermint shrimp. The Biomax is made by aquaclear and are the round ceramic pellets with the holes. The order I put it in the filter is the foam the purigen the carbon and the Biomax. They say you do not need to run the carbon with the purigen but I still do. hope that helps you. And as far as whats going on, I am just enjoying this cleveland weather today.

TheSaint216 · 05/06/2012, 06:55 PM

How bigs your tank and which aquaclear are you using? It was beautiful today. Alot of people I hear don't use the rings. I was thinking of getting the aquaclear drop in by intank

Paros · 05/06/2012, 07:26 PM

Well I have a few different tanks that I use them on. I use them on a 10 a 36 and believe it or not a 75. all salt. The one I described to you is my sons 10 gal. and I use the aquaclear 20 on it. I have used the biomax for years, I have never heard anything bad about it. I do my water changes and top offs and this seems to work for me. I hope this helps you any questions you may have feel free to contact me I will help you anyway I can. Good luck.

Nick

05/06/2012, 05:20 PM	#1
TheSaint216 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Cleveland Ohio Posts: 129	Cycling Questions Im getting an 11 gallon Mr.Aqua rimless tank. How long should I ideally let it cycle for? Im putting in sand which will be store bought and live rock that I currently have in my tank, it has mushrooms on it, bought it that way a month ago. How often should I change water? Im planning on running the powerhead day one, should I run the aquaclear or the skimmer to? Should I run my lights since I had shrooms on it? Im asking this question because I did everything you shouldnt do on my first tank and I want to do this tank right. thanks

05/06/2012, 06:08 PM	#2
Reefmedic79 Life and Reef Saver Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Tavares, Florida Posts: 6,202	Ideal cycle should take at least 8 weeks. Then it would be safe to add a CUC. The LR and the sand would be fine, and I wouldn't worry to much about the mushroom coral will very likely handle the cycle. Water changes should be approximately 10% a week give or take. A small aquaclear is all that would be needed for filtration a skimmer shouldn't be necessary. Your lights can be on during the cycle, but it may increase the amount of algea that will grow during the cycle. Over-all go very slow, bad things happen when you rush, especially in nano/pico systems. __________________ ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º>¸. ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> How much deeper would the ocean be if it didn't have sponges? P. Sherman 42 Wallaby Way Sid Current Tank Info: 40 Breeder, 20L Sump, 10G Fuge, JBJ A.T.O, 4" Reef Octopus, DIY Stand & Canopy, RapidLED Dimmable 36 Kit on 3 6" MakersLED Heatsink, MP10es

05/06/2012, 06:37 PM	#5
Reefmedic79 Life and Reef Saver Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Tavares, Florida Posts: 6,202	Just the aquaclear would be enough as long as its rated for your tank size. __________________ ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º>¸. ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> How much deeper would the ocean be if it didn't have sponges? P. Sherman 42 Wallaby Way Sid Current Tank Info: 40 Breeder, 20L Sump, 10G Fuge, JBJ A.T.O, 4" Reef Octopus, DIY Stand & Canopy, RapidLED Dimmable 36 Kit on 3 6" MakersLED Heatsink, MP10es

05/06/2012, 06:16 PM	#3
Paros Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Parma Posts: 89	I think if you take some water from your current tank from a water change and add that water with the live rock to your new tank you should not have to worry about a cycle. I would run the lights because of the mushroom on the rock. I think you would be fine with the aquaclear filter. I run one with the foam, carbon, purigen and the biomax and I have no problems. It seems to work for me. Good luck

05/06/2012, 06:33 PM	#4
TheSaint216 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Cleveland Ohio Posts: 129	Youd run just the aquaclear even with a clownfish? What's biomax? What's up fellow clevelander

05/06/2012, 06:49 PM	#6
Paros Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Parma Posts: 89	Yes I run the aquaclear with 2 clownfish a star and peppermint shrimp. The Biomax is made by aquaclear and are the round ceramic pellets with the holes. The order I put it in the filter is the foam the purigen the carbon and the Biomax. They say you do not need to run the carbon with the purigen but I still do. hope that helps you. And as far as whats going on, I am just enjoying this cleveland weather today.

05/06/2012, 06:55 PM	#7
TheSaint216 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Cleveland Ohio Posts: 129	How bigs your tank and which aquaclear are you using? It was beautiful today. Alot of people I hear don't use the rings. I was thinking of getting the aquaclear drop in by intank

05/06/2012, 07:26 PM	#8
Paros Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Parma Posts: 89	Well I have a few different tanks that I use them on. I use them on a 10 a 36 and believe it or not a 75. all salt. The one I described to you is my sons 10 gal. and I use the aquaclear 20 on it. I have used the biomax for years, I have never heard anything bad about it. I do my water changes and top offs and this seems to work for me. I hope this helps you any questions you may have feel free to contact me I will help you anyway I can. Good luck. Nick