Cycling Q

[imcosmokramer]

For reasons described here

I am cycling my tank without a protein skimmer or my refugium. Are there any suggestions that anyone would make. It is just up with two powerheads, moonlights on all day. My Refugium will not be set up until the 18th. Should I do anything else to the tank in the meanwhile?
I wasn't planning on doing a WC for 2 weeks anyways, but I was hoping that my PS would help.

Thanks

[stingythingy45]

Just wait and test.
Make sure you get a cycle.

[imcosmokramer]

I guess what I mean is, should I try to add any type of filtration, or should it be ok for two weeks. Plus, when I set up the fuge, do I put the Chaeto in before the cycle is done, or only after?

[papagimp]

filtration = live rock and sand. If ya got that, then wait & let it cycle.

As for the cheato, I'd personally wait till after, but don't think it'll make too much of a difference. May be wrong though, wait and see further reply's by others.

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by imcosmokramer
I guess what I mean is, should I try to add any type of filtration, or should it be ok for two weeks. Plus, when I set up the fuge, do I put the Chaeto in before the cycle is done, or only after?

you probably will have to step up your water changes to weekly and there is a good possibility of an algae bloom without the protein skimmer to remove phosphates and nitrates from the water.

Chaeto can be put in before cycling is done because it will work on the phosphates and nitrates from the decay or curing of the live rock.

[imcosmokramer]

TY capn,

I'll do a WC after a week then, and then another at two weeks. If this prolongs my cycle, oh well, what's another week?

If you looked at my other thread....live and learn....

[papagimp]

Originally posted by imcosmokramer
I'll do a WC after a week then, and then another at two weeks. If this prolongs my cycle, oh well, what's another week?

awesome attitude to have there. The longer the tank runs and matures before you add livestock, the better it'll be for them anyways, so by waiting you actually helping. patience is the one thing you can't really teach someone in this hobby, they just gotta deal in their own little way.

Capn, I understand the chaeto will work on Po4 and nitrates but wasn't sure the effect of high ammonia/nitrites would have on it.

ramer, just test the tank often, weekly at least to keep an eye on the cycle. You do have some bacteria in the water, but most for filtration will colonize on the rock/sand/other filter so doing a water change probably won't lengthen the cycle excessively if at all. personally, I don't changet water until nitrites dissapear and then work on nitrates with the wc's before adding livestock/cuc's. To each their own, plenty of different ways to get the same results.

[imcosmokramer]

The powerheads are connected to a reefkeeper 2 and alternate 6 minutes interval, when one is on, the other is off. Is that ok? or should I have them both running full time?

[papagimp]

well, running just one ph at a time is like having only that one powerhead for flow. I've thoght about trying out a wavemaker timer on one of my setups but considered instead of using the 2 Koralia's I currently have, get a 3rd one so two are running at any given time. Would be like having my 2 powerheads just re-directing the current randomly.

[imcosmokramer]

Duhhhhhh...

Makes so much sense!

I will keep them both going at all times. Then, eventually get a third.

[Aquarist007]

[i]

Capn, I understand the chaeto will work on Po4 and nitrates but wasn't sure the effect of high ammonia/nitrites would have on it.

. [/B]

I've run it in my 30 gal with ammonia levels very high--no problems.
PG it's a macro algae--and look at the algae that survives on live rock through the curing process--so I guess I am assuming that it should be fine??

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by imcosmokramer
Duhhhhhh...

Makes so much sense!

I will keep them both going at all times. Then, eventually get a third.

if they are Korilias you can't run them on an inteval timer(one exception is a Seio controller but expensive)

[papagimp]

Capt, you can run them on timers. Many of those timers are simply on or off, just like plugging in and unplugging the powerheads. May decrease lifespan of the unit running that way. And you'll get that "just plugged in rattle".

as for the algae, point well taken, lol. didn't think about it like that. but sounds good to me.

[Aquarist007]

Originally posted by papagimp
Capt, you can run them on timers. Many of those timers are simply on or off, just like plugging in and unplugging the powerheads. May decrease lifespan of the unit running that way. And you'll get that "just plugged in rattle".

as for the algae, point well taken, lol. didn't think about it like that. but sounds good to me.

PG--I was told by my supplier who is very knowlegable that running Korilias with on and off timers will wear them out quickly and void their warranty. the suggestion is to use a Seio controller because its not a on-off variable timer.
I have also been told a number of times that Hydor has been working on a timer for their power heads.

IMO it is a mute point anyways since Korilias produce a wide range turbulant flow so if you run the required number to get the desired flow in the tank you probably will have change up in the flow anyways.

[imcosmokramer]

Thanks guys. They are Tunze 6045s and I have them running continuously now. That way I don't have to worry about damaging them, or shortening their lifespan. Once my fuge is up, I will see how the flow is with the return pump, and go from there.