Adding More LR After Cycle

Spyderturbo007 · 07/11/2012, 09:33 PM

When I tested things on Sunday it looked like my cycle had finished.

Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 15ppm

I was planning on picking up my CUC this weekend, but it appears as though I need some more rock. I am out of town for work this week, so I have my wife adding RO/DI every day, but other than that, the tank is on it's own.

Can I grab the CUC and the additional LR and add them at the same time? I'm just worried that I'll have another cycle that will harm the CUC.

I was also going to get my QT and perhaps pick up my clownfish? I don't need to cycle the QT if I'm doing frequent water changes, right?

Bigsteve · 07/11/2012, 09:35 PM

Just finished the cycling process on my tank and i actually added dry rock about 2 weeks ago and i havent had a problem so i dont think adding live rock would do any damage at all, what are you doing for the qt in terms of filtration

Spyderturbo007 · 07/11/2012, 09:40 PM

I don't think dry rock would cause an issue because it's dead. The problem with adding additional live rock would be any die off in the rock would cause another cycle, which I'm worried may harm my CUC.

I"m not sure what to do about the QT. I was just going to get a cheap HOB, but wasn't sure what media to use.

inwha · 07/11/2012, 09:51 PM

spyder, i just setup mt QT

I am using a HOB filter, air stone, heater, pvc elbows, and treating water with amquel as needed.

some people have said i dont need the HOB because the weekly water changes could handle the parameter changes.

Its working good for me though, have my percula clown in there now chilling

also from my understanding you dont have to cycle a QT, its not even left running all the time, no sand, no LR, just fish, PVC, and equipment.
Water changes and water checks and it will be fine.

I cant speak to adding LR to an estalished tank, i would think from research it needs to be cured.

Bigsteve · 07/11/2012, 10:00 PM

I would just add dry rock and within a few weeks it will be live rock, that way you dont have to cure it but thats just my opinion

mbd521 · 07/12/2012, 10:34 AM

I'm really new myself, but to me it makes sense, that if you need more LR, now would be the time to do it!! I used a combo of dry rock and live rock in my tank. when adding LR you should expect a small ammonia spike from die off, but this also depends on where you get it and the quality of the LR.. I have a decent lfs with some good PRE-CURED LR here and its only about 15 min drive home, so I don't believe there would be very much die off to make the ammonia spike.... if the LR is not precured you could have an issue with die off..

one thing I learned about aquariums is that there are many different ways to do things and EVERYONE has an opinion. some people around forums freak out if they get a little algae growth, but that's also why we spend good money on CUC... in my experience ( which is limited) fish have a tendency to be much hardier than many people think... of course there are exceptions, but I also won't spend more than 50$ on a fish, so those tend to be the hardier ones anyways.

best of luck and let us all know what you do!!!

Posted from ReefCentral.com App for Android

07/11/2012, 09:33 PM	#1
Spyderturbo007 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: PA Posts: 2,564	Adding More LR After Cycle When I tested things on Sunday it looked like my cycle had finished. Ammonia = 0 Nitrite = 0 Nitrate = 15ppm I was planning on picking up my CUC this weekend, but it appears as though I need some more rock. I am out of town for work this week, so I have my wife adding RO/DI every day, but other than that, the tank is on it's own. Can I grab the CUC and the additional LR and add them at the same time? I'm just worried that I'll have another cycle that will harm the CUC. I was also going to get my QT and perhaps pick up my clownfish? I don't need to cycle the QT if I'm doing frequent water changes, right?

07/11/2012, 09:35 PM	#2
Bigsteve Moved On Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 82	Just finished the cycling process on my tank and i actually added dry rock about 2 weeks ago and i havent had a problem so i dont think adding live rock would do any damage at all, what are you doing for the qt in terms of filtration

07/11/2012, 09:40 PM	#3
Spyderturbo007 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: PA Posts: 2,564	I don't think dry rock would cause an issue because it's dead. The problem with adding additional live rock would be any die off in the rock would cause another cycle, which I'm worried may harm my CUC. I"m not sure what to do about the QT. I was just going to get a cheap HOB, but wasn't sure what media to use.

07/11/2012, 09:51 PM	#4
inwha Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Columbia, TN Posts: 136	spyder, i just setup mt QT I am using a HOB filter, air stone, heater, pvc elbows, and treating water with amquel as needed. some people have said i dont need the HOB because the weekly water changes could handle the parameter changes. Its working good for me though, have my percula clown in there now chilling also from my understanding you dont have to cycle a QT, its not even left running all the time, no sand, no LR, just fish, PVC, and equipment. Water changes and water checks and it will be fine. I cant speak to adding LR to an estalished tank, i would think from research it needs to be cured.

07/11/2012, 10:00 PM	#5
Bigsteve Moved On Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 82	I would just add dry rock and within a few weeks it will be live rock, that way you dont have to cure it but thats just my opinion

07/12/2012, 10:34 AM	#6
mbd521 Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Akron, Ohio Posts: 113	I'm really new myself, but to me it makes sense, that if you need more LR, now would be the time to do it!! I used a combo of dry rock and live rock in my tank. when adding LR you should expect a small ammonia spike from die off, but this also depends on where you get it and the quality of the LR.. I have a decent lfs with some good PRE-CURED LR here and its only about 15 min drive home, so I don't believe there would be very much die off to make the ammonia spike.... if the LR is not precured you could have an issue with die off.. one thing I learned about aquariums is that there are many different ways to do things and EVERYONE has an opinion. some people around forums freak out if they get a little algae growth, but that's also why we spend good money on CUC... in my experience ( which is limited) fish have a tendency to be much hardier than many people think... of course there are exceptions, but I also won't spend more than 50$ on a fish, so those tend to be the hardier ones anyways. best of luck and let us all know what you do!!! Posted from ReefCentral.com App for Android