What else do I need to start cycling?

[bishop2136]

I am completely new to this hobby. I've been doing some research over the past several weeks and decided to give it a go.

I am buying some used equipment and I would like to set up a FOWLR tank. here is what I'm getting.

- 55 gallon glass tank/stand
- Glass canopy
- light housing with 50/50 bulbs
- Red Seas Prism Delux Protein Skimmer
- heater
- filter
- 1 Powerhead
- some sand

What else do I need to have to begin cycling my tank. How much rock is a MUST to get this started the right way and what else do I need before even starting the cycling process? I want to have everything I need before starting and all help is appreciated.

Thank you

[jeff@zina.com]

Technically, your tank will cycle with just a tank full of water. What you really want though is enough live rock to seed your tank, and some dry rock to add to it. I hate the pounds per gallon rules of thumb since different types of rock can weigh more or less and take up the same space. But 20 lbs of live rock and 20 lbs of dead or dry base rock would give you a reasonable start. Add additional rock slowly afterward to build up the structures you want.

Jeff

[shooshoomanz]

from what i've learned and mind you my set up is only 5 days old, but its keeping a fish and some mushrooms poyps, snails and stars alive even this early on without any signs of stress.

1lb per gallon live rock.
1.lb per gallon live sand though some do say you can do a 50/50 live and not live sand and seed it, the same goes for live rock. but from my personal experience. i have 15lbs live rock 25-30 lbs live sand in a 20 gallon long and i've yet to see any ammonia, any nitrites and i currently have 5 ppm nitrates.. some are telling me that i, may never have a cycle because the mature sand and live rock can handle what my fish and inverts that came with the live rock are producing.

some are also in a tizzy over me having a fish this early on haha? so its really your own decisions and experiences however so far im having great success. the corals the hitchhiked are actually growing and stay open all day.

my numbers are
78 degrees
1.025 sp
ammonia 0
nitrites 0
nitrate 5
ph 8.2

at 5 days in i should already see atleast ammonia starting to spike so just my 0.02 cents

oh and really good waterflow, at your tank size you may want to look into sump ideas.

[KeMo]

Cycle your tank with Good Live Rock. Go to local Fish stores (LFS) and look for LR that has lots of Coralline algae on it. Thats the purple stuff on the rock. I would get 55-60 lbs of good LR if you can afford it. The rock will help seed your sand . The rock will start the cycle for you just read up on how the Nitrogen cycle works.
You will need more power heads in the tank. 1 will not do. I would get another two . Or if you got the money go with a MP40es.
Also Get Test kits. You are going to need to test your water.
Also get a RO/DI unit or find a source close to you were you can get it.
You will need an extra heater , 2 buckets ,and power head to make the Saltwater. Also a thermometer is good to check the make up water's temp to get it as close as possible. Also gona need a Salinity Refractometer .
Keep on reading !!

[bishop2136]

Thank you all very much

[bishop2136]

I will also need a QT when I'm ready to start adding fish, correct?

[ali1]

QT is used to confirm that your new species or sick species are healthy before putting them in your display tank. Some find it necessary, others find it beneficial, few find it unneeded.

For starting your cycle, there are plenty of opinions on how to start the cycle. Using food or any dead animal will add ammonia, as well as any number of other pollutants... Since ammonia is what you want and it is dirt cheap, there's no reason to use anything else. Others will disagree.

Ace Hardware sells ammonia with no additives... It's Ace brand labeled 'Janitorial Strength'

It is actually 90% water, 10% ammonia. Ammonia is a gas at room temperature and is a very very harsh chemical that requires a liscense to handle at high concentrations. 90/10 is a common 'strong' blend...

FYI - 1 ml of 90/10 ammonia equals 1.75 ppm ammonia in 10 gallons of water... multiply that equasion as needed for your use.5ppm is the desired goal as this will be able to withstand a large bioload after cycle is complete.

[KeMo]

You dont need to buy ammonia from a hard ware store. Waste of Money.!!! Just use what comes on your LR. There will be die off and that will get the cycle going. I would just Cycle with LR and not add anything . Do it the O natural way.

[SwampyBill]

Welcome to Reef Central, bishop! I applaud your asking all these questions before adding product/livestock to a new tank.
If possible, get a better skimmer......
+1 on having 2 powerheads (one on each end of tank) & a QT tank (10 gal should work fine).
You can help the cycle speed along by putting a thawed shrimp in the sandbed, then taking it out when u get the ammonia spike; or use Special Blend water treatment (both have worked for me in the past, tho Special Blend will bring tears to your eyes it smells so bad...)
Invest in good quality test kits like Salifert or Elos. LaMotte's the best (& priciest) but these are the most accurate for measuring water quality & chemical balance.
If not wanting to purchase a RO/DI unit right away, or mix up your own saltwater, most LFS sell RO & saltwater for water changes. You would need at least 3 5gal containers for that. WallyWorld or Home Depot have them for a few bucks each.

Good luck! & keep the questions coming.

[SwampyBill]

Shoosh-I don't mean to burst your bubble, & judging from your post, it seems others have mentioned this to you. You need to slow down if you want any longterm success in this hobby. At 5 days old, your tank is nowhere near ready to support fish or corals. They may look ok now, but will deteriorate soon & you'll be left with dead livestock & water parameters all f'ed up.
Your cavalier attitude (haha) will not serve you in this hobby long term & you'll just be throwing money away while you kill off fish/corals. You're setting yourself up for failure & plenty losses in your tank. I suggest you let someone with a mature tank hold your fish & corals while your tank finishes cycling (or bring them back to LFS for store credit), & listen to others with more knowledge & experience under their belt in reefing (quite a bit different than freshwater)...Add animals when ammonia/nitrite/nitrate has been 0 for at least a week, then wait a week for good measure.