new Nuvo nano 8

[mdr11]

Hi, I'm new to reef tank keeping. Just started a Nuvo nano 8 tank with Instant Ocean and 15 lbs arag live sand today. Now what, how long do I wait to check parameters, and add CUC? thanks.

[Sugar Magnolia]

To Reef Central

Are you planning on adding some LR?

[mdr11]

I added 8 lbs of cured live rock from lfs today.

[cgauer5]

If you added live rock and live sand your tank should cycle fairly quickly. But, it would not be a bad idea to add a small CUC with a bit of food to add bio load to aid in the start the cycle. I have found the use of Seachem's Stability or Dr. Tim's One and Only is great during this time because the nitrifying bacteria take away any ammonia that may harm the inhabitants. I have seen a couple tanks setup with dry rock, dry sand, and new saltwater with a couple of clowns to start the bio load and one of these products all in the same two or three day stretch with no ill effects. If you don't add a nitrifying bacteria you will have to wait longer. Keep testing your ammonia. You will start with none, have a spike, and then wait until there is no trace in your test and you will be ready to go.

[velocity555]

Thanks for the advice. Do I wait until after the ammonia spike to add the CUC or does adding the CUC speed up the cycling process? Also do I need to keep the lights going during the cycling process? thanks

[rogermccray]

I would not add anything live until after your tank cycles. I don't think you need the lights for the cycle but i am not sure.

[mdr11]

How long will this tank take to cycle with cured LFS live rock and live sand. I've read 4-6 weeks for uncured LR, but will NH3 spike up with full cured LR/LS set up? My water parameters are still zero NH3, NO2, NO3.

[mdr11]

My LFS recommended Nutrafin Cycle, a product by Hagen to speed up the cycle process. It's apparently a bacterial culture that seeds the rock/sand. He claims that he has used this product and then placed fish within days to no detriment. Anyone else used this?

[greech]

Never used it but a lot of that bacteria in a bottle is either snake oil or has no shelf life and there is nothing alive in it by the time you purchase it. You have all you need to cycle the tank in your LR and sand. The next thing to do is test your tank and keep track of your results.

IF your LR was fully cured when you bought it, you will likely have a fairly quick cycle but I would still expect to wait a couple of weeks minimum before anything was added but again your tests will tell you when its ready for a CUC. Snails and crabs are particularly sensitive to unstable water. Did your LR come out of a LR bin or one of the store's established/stocked systems? If it was in the bin I wouldn't count on it being fully cured. If you are unsure I would test it by adding some food for a few days and testing your water often.

A little patience and testing will go a long way.

[mdr11]

Ok, thanks for the advice. The LR was in a curing bin, but seems very "live" as it is encrusted in coralline on the exposed top side. I've also read mixed reports about the Caribsea live sand not being very "live" by the time you take it home as well. I live a block from the ocean, maybe I should grab a cup of "live sand" from the beach. Better safe than sorry, so I will wait a few more weeks to introduce the CUC.

[greech]

I'm sure the rock is full of life and coraline is a good sign but you just can't tell whether rock can handle a bioload by looking at it (would be nice though ). Just having the rock exposed to air while you brought it home will cause some die off. You are absolutely making the right decision to wait. Even if the rock is fully cured, 2 weeks will allow some time for the tank to settle down and the sand bed to start maturing a little. Your LR will seed the sand. No need to take the risk of adding sand from the coastline IMO.

[mdr11]

My tank has the start of brown and green growth on rocks and sand. Is this the beginning of a diatom/algae bloom? The water parameters remain zero for NH3, NO2 and NO3. I added a piece of shrimp to start the cycle 5 days ago and it melted away in 2-3 days. It's been 2 weeks since I added LS and 11 days since cured LR. Not sure what I should do next. I would appreciate any advice.

[dsn112]

Originally Posted by mdr11

My LFS recommended Nutrafin Cycle, a product by Hagen to speed up the cycle process. It's apparently a bacterial culture that seeds the rock/sand. He claims that he has used this product and then placed fish within days to no detriment. Anyone else used this?

This is why I hate so many LFS's. use some bacteria so you can hurry up and get back in here to buy live stock.

The last three tanks I set up with live rock and sand cycled within about two weeks. Just be a little patient, you might not have much at all. It all depends on how much die off there was when you transported the rock from the store to home.

GL

[greech]

The green is probably the start of hair algae. If your rock was fully cured, its possible it cycled through the shrimp and the remanent nitrates (likely along with phosphates) are what is fueling the algae growth. Diatoms (brown) would be a result of silicates which is normal and will run its course.

Anyway you can post a pic of the algae/diatoms?

[roly01]

any pictures of the tank im looking into getting one of these, how was the over all quality of the tank? also hows the light fixture