Cycling a tank with LR, done in less than 2 weeks?

gmate · 12/29/2011, 03:59 PM

I started a 55g on the 23rd of December. Within three days I have placed 70lbs of live rock (from three different tanks, all three different colors and different hitchikers on it).

It's now been 6 days. The ammonia has been

23rd: 0
24th .25
25th .25
26th .50
27th .50
28th. 25
29th .25 to 0 (too hard to tell on API Strips)

And the nitrites have done nearly the same, now at about .25ish but definitely more than zero. I'd expect that part of the cycle will take a little bit longer. No nitrates yet, but I'm expecting that tonight when I get home to test.

Does it seem that loading the tank with LR and seeding my tank and walls (I have a nice DIY rockwall of foam) has helped jumpstart this tank? I'm going to refrain from adding more livestock for another two weeks regardless, (I bit the bullet and put 2 clowns in (don't mention it, I've kept enough freshwater to know how this works and I'm aware this is a no-no).

I was expecting astronomical numbers, but I haven't seen anything crazy yet. Does this sound normal for using all live rock? I've already added a cleanup crew of a dozen hermits and a half dozen snails, they've been working feverishly. I've run a HOB protein skimmer on the back, which has been foaming and pulling green skimmate from the first night. The temp is 78 and the salinity is 1.025.

lokii_37 · 12/29/2011, 04:09 PM

If the rock is already live from another tank the cycle will be minimal because the bacteria are already on the rock. In theory if you use good live rock to set up a new tank you won't even have a cycle

Denbf58 · 12/29/2011, 04:12 PM

if the rock came from established tanks it is possible to have a quick cycle and since you already have live stock in the tank just keep your eye on ammonia level . you might want to get some amquel just in case you have a ammonia spike and learn no good can come from rushing anything in this hobbie

dankoos · 12/29/2011, 07:42 PM

if the rock was truly live when you got it and it wasn't out of water very long, there shouldn't be a cycle at all.

12/29/2011, 03:59 PM	#1
gmate MASC Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Littleton, CO Posts: 2,267	Cycling a tank with LR, done in less than 2 weeks? I started a 55g on the 23rd of December. Within three days I have placed 70lbs of live rock (from three different tanks, all three different colors and different hitchikers on it). It's now been 6 days. The ammonia has been 23rd: 0 24th .25 25th .25 26th .50 27th .50 28th. 25 29th .25 to 0 (too hard to tell on API Strips) And the nitrites have done nearly the same, now at about .25ish but definitely more than zero. I'd expect that part of the cycle will take a little bit longer. No nitrates yet, but I'm expecting that tonight when I get home to test. Does it seem that loading the tank with LR and seeding my tank and walls (I have a nice DIY rockwall of foam) has helped jumpstart this tank? I'm going to refrain from adding more livestock for another two weeks regardless, (I bit the bullet and put 2 clowns in (don't mention it, I've kept enough freshwater to know how this works and I'm aware this is a no-no). I was expecting astronomical numbers, but I haven't seen anything crazy yet. Does this sound normal for using all live rock? I've already added a cleanup crew of a dozen hermits and a half dozen snails, they've been working feverishly. I've run a HOB protein skimmer on the back, which has been foaming and pulling green skimmate from the first night. The temp is 78 and the salinity is 1.025. __________________ https://www.marinecolorado.org/ 180, 90 and 50 gallon reef ready systems. Fragging & trading since 2010. Current Tank Info: 180g, 90g & 50g frag tank Last edited by gmate; 12/29/2011 at 04:14 PM.

12/29/2011, 04:09 PM	#2
lokii_37 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Santa Rosa Posts: 1,270	If the rock is already live from another tank the cycle will be minimal because the bacteria are already on the rock. In theory if you use good live rock to set up a new tank you won't even have a cycle __________________ Mostly SPS 90G DT with 50G sump, SRO2000 INT, DIY LED T5 hybrid

12/29/2011, 04:12 PM	#3
Denbf58 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: selden N.Y. Posts: 885	if the rock came from established tanks it is possible to have a quick cycle and since you already have live stock in the tank just keep your eye on ammonia level . you might want to get some amquel just in case you have a ammonia spike and learn no good can come from rushing anything in this hobbie __________________ Life is good Current Tank Info: 75gal reef ready koralia 3, 30g sump, 4b 48" t5s lighting, 29g reef with breeding pair clowns 55g reef 55g freshwater

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
How to transfer fish from 60g to 120g tank	InOvrMyHead	Reef Discussion	3	11/04/2011 05:12 AM
White fuzzy stuff in cycling tank	mattinlasvegas	New to the Hobby	3	09/28/2011 05:05 PM
Cycling tank with shrimp	sscat22	New to the Hobby	25	07/09/2011 08:45 PM
How I got my "DEAD" tank to cycle in 1 week	Greenmaster	The Reef Chemistry Forum	113	05/17/2011 03:42 PM
Cycle tank w/LR - what about the sand?	J3REEF	New to the Hobby	4	04/29/2007 02:23 PM

12/29/2011, 07:42 PM	#4
dankoos Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 271	if the rock was truly live when you got it and it wasn't out of water very long, there shouldn't be a cycle at all.