Better cycling?

rustyjames · 03/29/2010, 07:15 AM

I have an established 10 gallon with about 15lbs. rock, zoas and shrooms. Going to be setting up a 30 gallon with another 15-20 lbs. dry rock and dry sand to eventually move the contents of the 10 to the 30. Would it be better to do the shrimp thing with the dry rock and sand, really spike the ammonia for a "robust" cycle, or just seed the dry rock with some frag plugs and rubble I have in the 10 gallon?

lordofthereef · 03/29/2010, 09:55 AM

IMO if you are upping your rock 50% (which it sounds like you are) you should do a robust cycle rather than just seed it, especially if you are planning to move all of the life over with the estabilished live rock from the 10g.

Tuscaquatics · 03/29/2010, 07:16 PM

I'd load the 30 with all my dry stuff then seed it with a cup of sand and/or a piece of rock from the 10.

jenjen · 03/29/2010, 09:53 PM

When I upgraded from 90g to 180g I put new dry sand and 100lbs of base rock plus 50% new salt water into the 180g, then moved 100lbs of rock from the 90g along with all the livestock and a couple scoops of the sand to seed the new tank. I added all the livestock the same day. I filled the rest of the tank with water from the 90g (this ensures consistent water chemistry for the enhabitants). No robust cycle, no shrimp etc.

As someone explained to me at the time, the water volume is increasing, but the bio-load is not. I did the whole move in one day. I did not lose any corals or livestock as a result of the move. IME the only reason you need a 'robust cycle' is if you are planning to increase your bio-load right away or soon.

03/29/2010, 07:15 AM	#1
rustyjames EMT-B Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 879	Better cycling? I have an established 10 gallon with about 15lbs. rock, zoas and shrooms. Going to be setting up a 30 gallon with another 15-20 lbs. dry rock and dry sand to eventually move the contents of the 10 to the 30. Would it be better to do the shrimp thing with the dry rock and sand, really spike the ammonia for a "robust" cycle, or just seed the dry rock with some frag plugs and rubble I have in the 10 gallon? __________________ I see your Schwartz is as big as mine. Current Tank Info: 20 long

03/29/2010, 09:55 AM	#2
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	IMO if you are upping your rock 50% (which it sounds like you are) you should do a robust cycle rather than just seed it, especially if you are planning to move all of the life over with the estabilished live rock from the 10g. __________________ "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!

03/29/2010, 09:53 PM	#4
jenjen Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Langley BC, Canada Posts: 1,710	When I upgraded from 90g to 180g I put new dry sand and 100lbs of base rock plus 50% new salt water into the 180g, then moved 100lbs of rock from the 90g along with all the livestock and a couple scoops of the sand to seed the new tank. I added all the livestock the same day. I filled the rest of the tank with water from the 90g (this ensures consistent water chemistry for the enhabitants). No robust cycle, no shrimp etc. As someone explained to me at the time, the water volume is increasing, but the bio-load is not. I did the whole move in one day. I did not lose any corals or livestock as a result of the move. IME the only reason you need a 'robust cycle' is if you are planning to increase your bio-load right away or soon. __________________ "Challenges forge the greatness in you" Current Tank Info: 180gal softy reef (Apr '09)

03/29/2010, 07:16 PM	#3
Tuscaquatics Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 1,324	I'd load the 30 with all my dry stuff then seed it with a cup of sand and/or a piece of rock from the 10.