starting a reef tank

johnson5585 · 05/04/2009, 12:06 AM

Ok so I am new to marine tanks. Have been doing FW for many years with great success. Now I have a few questions about the reef set ups.

So far I have my tank-100 gal with a 55 gal sump, power heads, heater, lighting, skimmer, salt and water.

Sump- 55 gal. three chamber. First chamber is where tanks flows into through a filter sock and it houses the skimmer (berlin classic). I also have the heater and some carbon in this chamber as well in a media bag (will change to a reactor of sorts later). This chamber and the skimmer flow into the next chamber which will be for additional bio media (currently bio balls and equivalent). These will be switched out for more LR eventually. This chamber passes through a bubble trap and into the return pump chamber.

For power heads I have two maxi jet 600's and a Koralia 2 (I think it is)

Lighting I have a atinic and a 10k 48", and luner LED's.

Now for the question.

I have the water set up and at proper gravity. I am going to be adding live rock and sand to start the nitrogen cycle with probably a couple of blue green chromis. Should I run the skimmer during the cycling process or after cycle is finished.

Any other suggestions you can make based on the above description of my current set up will be grateful.

I will be running as a FOWLR until tank is a little mature and fully stable before beginning to add corals.

drummereef · 05/04/2009, 12:40 AM

No need to add fish during the cycle. All that's needed is your live rock to start the cycle. Wait until the cycle is finished and the tank has stabilized before adding any livestock.

A lot of great info here, btw.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1031074

Michael · 05/04/2009, 12:58 AM

as drummereef theres no need to use livestock to start the cycle, please dont do it.

also i think your very light on flow for a 100 gallon aquarium, 2 maxi-jet 600s and a k2 wont cut it imo.

im glad your thinking about removing the bio-balls, even though they are fine for a fish only and indeed if washed regually in some tank water they are very good at what they do, for long term plans if you intend to keep corals id suggest not using them at all.

best to start with approx 100 pounds of live rock in the tank if you can afford it, you wont get a better filteration system and theres no need for anything in the sump.

a little rubble in there or some macro algae however would be fine.

To Reef Central

johnson5585 · 05/04/2009, 01:25 AM

Even if the rock is fully cured?
I had thought about curing the rock in the tank for the cycle but I may be getting fully cured rock from an existing tank. Going to get as much as my wallet will let me. May not be quite 100 lbs. I had also thought of putting a refugium in off or in the sump.

Will be getting probably one more of the koralia's (probably a 4) and will be modding my maxis to get max flow

johnson5585 · 05/04/2009, 01:26 AM

Oh and what about the skimmer during the cycle? On or off? I thought it should just be running during

Michael · 05/04/2009, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by johnson5585
Even if the rock is fully cured?

if the rock is fully cured then you may never see a cycle.

you need to buy 3 test kits and a refractomer plus thermometer at this stage.

monitor ammonia and nitrite daily, see if it moves at all, if it hasnt risen at all after a week then theres no cycle and you can add fish, however if it starts to rise then your cyling and you need to monitor this and nitrate until the cycle is over, dont add anything until it is.

johnson5585 · 05/04/2009, 01:38 AM

Yeah I have all of the testing equipment. I fully understand the nitrogen cycle just was not sure about the live rock. I thought that if it was fully cured then there would probably not be a cycle unless I heavily change the bio load. I still may end up having to cure the rock as it is cheaper that way. If the curing rock will cycle the tank then I wont need fish until it is cycled.

05/04/2009, 12:06 AM	#1
johnson5585 Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Visalia, CA Posts: 23	starting a reef tank Ok so I am new to marine tanks. Have been doing FW for many years with great success. Now I have a few questions about the reef set ups. So far I have my tank-100 gal with a 55 gal sump, power heads, heater, lighting, skimmer, salt and water. Sump- 55 gal. three chamber. First chamber is where tanks flows into through a filter sock and it houses the skimmer (berlin classic). I also have the heater and some carbon in this chamber as well in a media bag (will change to a reactor of sorts later). This chamber and the skimmer flow into the next chamber which will be for additional bio media (currently bio balls and equivalent). These will be switched out for more LR eventually. This chamber passes through a bubble trap and into the return pump chamber. For power heads I have two maxi jet 600's and a Koralia 2 (I think it is) Lighting I have a atinic and a 10k 48", and luner LED's. Now for the question. I have the water set up and at proper gravity. I am going to be adding live rock and sand to start the nitrogen cycle with probably a couple of blue green chromis. Should I run the skimmer during the cycling process or after cycle is finished. Any other suggestions you can make based on the above description of my current set up will be grateful. I will be running as a FOWLR until tank is a little mature and fully stable before beginning to add corals.

05/04/2009, 12:40 AM	#2
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	No need to add fish during the cycle. All that's needed is your live rock to start the cycle. Wait until the cycle is finished and the tank has stabilized before adding any livestock. A lot of great info here, btw. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1031074 __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

05/04/2009, 12:58 AM	#3
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	as drummereef theres no need to use livestock to start the cycle, please dont do it. also i think your very light on flow for a 100 gallon aquarium, 2 maxi-jet 600s and a k2 wont cut it imo. im glad your thinking about removing the bio-balls, even though they are fine for a fish only and indeed if washed regually in some tank water they are very good at what they do, for long term plans if you intend to keep corals id suggest not using them at all. best to start with approx 100 pounds of live rock in the tank if you can afford it, you wont get a better filteration system and theres no need for anything in the sump. a little rubble in there or some macro algae however would be fine. *To Reef Central* __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

05/04/2009, 01:25 AM	#4
johnson5585 Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Visalia, CA Posts: 23	Even if the rock is fully cured? I had thought about curing the rock in the tank for the cycle but I may be getting fully cured rock from an existing tank. Going to get as much as my wallet will let me. May not be quite 100 lbs. I had also thought of putting a refugium in off or in the sump. Will be getting probably one more of the koralia's (probably a 4) and will be modding my maxis to get max flow

05/04/2009, 01:26 AM	#5
johnson5585 Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Visalia, CA Posts: 23	Oh and what about the skimmer during the cycle? On or off? I thought it should just be running during

05/04/2009, 01:38 AM	#7
johnson5585 Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Visalia, CA Posts: 23	Yeah I have all of the testing equipment. I fully understand the nitrogen cycle just was not sure about the live rock. I thought that if it was fully cured then there would probably not be a cycle unless I heavily change the bio load. I still may end up having to cure the rock as it is cheaper that way. If the curing rock will cycle the tank then I wont need fish until it is cycled.