Cycle Question

rowanpks · 09/23/2012, 05:43 AM

I moved my 90 gallon FOWLR tank yesterday, took the whole thing down cleaned it out, upgraded some equipment and reset it up. I used about 35 gallons of new salt water the rest is from the old tank.

I tested the water this morning and all levels nH3 etc. are great. I have three questions. One should I still expect a mini cycle of the water or can I put my fish back into the tank?

I want to start adding some softies. How long should I wait before I do this?

Any recommendations for led lighting? I want to replace the metal halide's.

jdezek · 09/23/2012, 05:48 AM

I would put your fish in yet. I would give it a week to make sure it's not going to cycle

mlott132 · 09/23/2012, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdezek

I would put your fish in yet. I would give it a week to make sure it's not going to cycle

+1

As far as LEDs how much are you looking to spend? If money is no object than look at the AI's or Radion's. If you want to save a few bucks, you could go the Chinese LED route. There are a couple Chinese lights out that have build in timers to simulate sunrise/sunset functions.

coralsnaked · 09/23/2012, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rowanpks

I moved my 90 gallon FOWLR tank yesterday, took the whole thing down cleaned it out, upgraded some equipment and reset it up. I used about 35 gallons of new salt water the rest is from the old tank.

I tested the water this morning and all levels nH3 etc. are great. I have three questions. One should I still expect a mini cycle of the water or can I put my fish back into the tank?

I want to start adding some softies. How long should I wait before I do this?

Any recommendations for led lighting? I want to replace the metal halide's.

1 How did you handle the live rock? If it was kept in the saved clean tank water it should have no die off and be good. What kind of bottom did you use? If you used old sandbed or new sandbed then wait for a cycle, but you would see ammonia in the first day or two. But if you use washed crushed coral or aragonite it also should be good to go. This would just mean you made about a 35% water change. This can deplete the nitrobacter population in the water column but if you have plenty of rock it will not be a problem. I would use some type of live bacteria suppliment to reinforce the population. I swear by SmartStart. Putting your fish back with the absence of any ammonia or nitrites should be fine.

2 Softies are so tolerate of water conditions and place almost no extra bio load on the tank; therefore it should be safe to add when desired. If the tank is safe for fish it should be safe for softies.

3 LED Lighting is really about your purse strings as there are so many choices. As far as wattage go by the lumen per gallon requirement for soofties. They reuire about 2.5 lumens per gallon minimum or for a 90 gal tank about 225 watts total. If this is a long tank I would utilize two 100+ fixtures of mixed soft white and blue bulbs. As far as brands or bells and whistles get what you can afford. But if you plan on keeping LPS or SPS you'll need more wattage.

Happy Reefing

rowanpks · 09/23/2012, 07:42 AM

The LR was placed in the water from the tank. I did replace the sand bed with live sand aragonite. I will try the SmartStart.

I would like to put lights in which will allow me to keep anything I want. I would like to spend no more then 800. The tank is 48x24x18. I have tried to read up on this stuff but with so many differing opinions it is hard to figure out.

Coralsnaked- your explanation is the best, most basic I have seen. What would you reccommend based on my above tank demensions.

Thanks to all for replying

rowanpks · 09/23/2012, 07:54 AM

I have been looking at some Chinese places but not sure if I could trust the quality any recommendations?

stingythingy45 · 09/23/2012, 08:02 AM

Where are the fish now?
I have moved like that from a 55 gallon to a 90 in one day,fish and all and had no issues.

rowanpks · 09/23/2012, 08:05 AM

They are in a 20 gallon with a powerhead, protien skimmer and some rock from the tank.

stingythingy45 · 09/23/2012, 08:16 AM

Well if you feel the fish are ok for now where they are you could wait a little while,maybe another day or two.
But,your nitrifying bacteria is on the LR so the tank should really have no cycle.
Especially if the rock was kept wet and transfered quickly.

Softies are extremely tolerent.

mlott132 · 09/23/2012, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rowanpks

I have been looking at some Chinese places but not sure if I could trust the quality any recommendations?

I have a couple Twilight fixtures and have had no issues. Mine have the built in timer/dimmer controls. Another company that people seem to like is Evergrow. They recently came out with a fixture that has the timer/dimmer controls. Both lights are user customizable in that you can specify what colors you want and where you want them placed. Here is a link to the threads in the lighting section that might help you as well.

#1 (Original thread that was closed)
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2110092

#2 (Picked off where the first ended)
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2211981

09/23/2012, 08:02 AM	#7
stingythingy45 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: MA Posts: 3,296	Where are the fish now? I have moved like that from a 55 gallon to a 90 in one day,fish and all and had no issues. __________________ Bob Current Tank Info: 90 gallon,mixed Reef,2-250 watt Optix 3 pendants(Phoenix 14K)2-54 watt T5 Super actnics ,ASM G-2 Gate/recirc mods,70 gal. basement sump,20L ref

09/23/2012, 08:16 AM	#9
stingythingy45 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: MA Posts: 3,296	Well if you feel the fish are ok for now where they are you could wait a little while,maybe another day or two. But,your nitrifying bacteria is on the LR so the tank should really have no cycle. Especially if the rock was kept wet and transfered quickly. Softies are extremely tolerent. __________________ Bob Current Tank Info: 90 gallon,mixed Reef,2-250 watt Optix 3 pendants(Phoenix 14K)2-54 watt T5 Super actnics ,ASM G-2 Gate/recirc mods,70 gal. basement sump,20L ref

09/23/2012, 05:43 AM	#1
rowanpks Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: New Jersery Posts: 39	Cycle Question I moved my 90 gallon FOWLR tank yesterday, took the whole thing down cleaned it out, upgraded some equipment and reset it up. I used about 35 gallons of new salt water the rest is from the old tank. I tested the water this morning and all levels nH3 etc. are great. I have three questions. One should I still expect a mini cycle of the water or can I put my fish back into the tank? I want to start adding some softies. How long should I wait before I do this? Any recommendations for led lighting? I want to replace the metal halide's.

09/23/2012, 05:48 AM	#2
jdezek Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Savannah, GA Posts: 386	I would put your fish in yet. I would give it a week to make sure it's not going to cycle

09/23/2012, 07:42 AM	#5
rowanpks Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: New Jersery Posts: 39	The LR was placed in the water from the tank. I did replace the sand bed with live sand aragonite. I will try the SmartStart. I would like to put lights in which will allow me to keep anything I want. I would like to spend no more then 800. The tank is 48x24x18. I have tried to read up on this stuff but with so many differing opinions it is hard to figure out. Coralsnaked- your explanation is the best, most basic I have seen. What would you reccommend based on my above tank demensions. Thanks to all for replying

09/23/2012, 07:54 AM	#6
rowanpks Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: New Jersery Posts: 39	I have been looking at some Chinese places but not sure if I could trust the quality any recommendations?

09/23/2012, 08:05 AM	#8
rowanpks Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: New Jersery Posts: 39	They are in a 20 gallon with a powerhead, protien skimmer and some rock from the tank.