Finally got set up, waiting for cycle?

Mark9 · 09/22/2013, 01:00 PM

Got water in yesterday, premixed rodi from the lfs.
29G tank, 10G sump
about 20 lbs dead rock & coral, 3 1/2 lbs live rock and 30 lbs live sand.
Not much happening, should I ghost feed or dip a shrimp?

TheLastPolarBea · 09/22/2013, 01:04 PM

I heard shrimp is a good way. Takes time for a cycle. Go slow, monitor your levels and do not jump the gun and start stocking your tank early. That was the hardest thing for me. I wanted to put stuff in right away.

hey.its.me · 09/22/2013, 01:27 PM

I see what looks to be two nice sized chunks of LR in your main tank, did you also put some in your sump? Your rock work looks really good BTW. With almost 4 lbs of LR putting in a shrimp, I personally don't see the point you will probably see a 10 to 14 day cycle anyway. I just guessing there! If you do use a shrimp then don't let it stay more than three days or you'll start to smell it, beneficial or not. Great looking tank there!

Mark9 · 09/22/2013, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hey.its.me

I see what looks to be two nice sized chunks of LR in your main tank, did you also put some in your sump? Your rock work looks really good BTW. With almost 4 lbs of LR putting in a shrimp, I personally don't see the point you will probably see a 10 to 14 day cycle anyway. I just guessing there! If you do use a shrimp then don't let it stay more than three days or you'll start to smell it, beneficial or not. Great looking tank there!

I put one piece of cured live rock in the sump.

BonnieMiller · 09/22/2013, 01:55 PM

we are about finished now cycling our aquarium it is a 70 gallon tomorrow or tuesday we are going to place a order and get snails and a few fish to put in it...

gone fishin · 09/22/2013, 02:00 PM

you can use a shrimp to get things started or pure ammonia until you get to around 4ppm of ammonia. whichever method you use just wait until the ammonia is converted to nitrites then to nitrates. This is just the beginning of maturing your tank.

Mark9 · 09/23/2013, 03:46 PM

Not alot going on, waiting is hard, real hard.
Actually, ammonia looks a bit greener from my first pic.

Mark9 · 09/23/2013, 03:50 PM

Tank seems to be clearing up

duperdave · 09/23/2013, 04:06 PM

it looks really niceI, I am also starting my first tank I'm about two and a half weeks into my cycle.I just look at it.
I do ghost feed every 2 to 3 days.worked well on my freshwater tank.although I probably over fed that one

duperdave · 09/23/2013, 04:36 PM

.I am also starting a new saltwater tank, I'm about two and a half weeks in.I ghost feed every 2 to 3 days .
seemed to work well,other than that I just look at it.sorry if this is posted twice

mallard · 09/23/2013, 04:53 PM

If the LR you put in the tank was already cycled then you're not likely going to see a cycle because there is nothing to feed a cycle. I wouldn't go the shrimp route but some people have used it successfully. I would just put a light amount of food in the tank daily and let the bacteria on your LR take care of the food. Within a week you'll start to see the algae blooms and all the fun that comes with a cycle.

09/22/2013, 01:00 PM	#1
Mark9 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Atlanta Posts: 2,497	Finally got set up, waiting for cycle? Got water in yesterday, premixed rodi from the lfs. 29G tank, 10G sump about 20 lbs dead rock & coral, 3 1/2 lbs live rock and 30 lbs live sand. Not much happening, should I ghost feed or dip a shrimp?

09/22/2013, 02:00 PM	#6
gone fishin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Wyocena Wi Posts: 6,936	you can use a shrimp to get things started or pure ammonia until you get to around 4ppm of ammonia. whichever method you use just wait until the ammonia is converted to nitrites then to nitrates. This is just the beginning of maturing your tank. __________________ Tony Current Tank Info: 180gal DT, BM NAC77 skimmer,3 Maxspect razors, Maxspect Gyre 150, 30g QT

09/23/2013, 04:06 PM	#9
duperdave Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: fredericksburg, VA Posts: 283	it looks really niceI, I am also starting my first tank I'm about two and a half weeks into my cycle.I just look at it. I do ghost feed every 2 to 3 days.worked well on my freshwater tank.although I probably over fed that one Last edited by duperdave; 09/23/2013 at 04:30 PM.

09/22/2013, 01:04 PM	#2
TheLastPolarBea Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 27	I heard shrimp is a good way. Takes time for a cycle. Go slow, monitor your levels and do not jump the gun and start stocking your tank early. That was the hardest thing for me. I wanted to put stuff in right away.

09/22/2013, 01:27 PM	#3
hey.its.me Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: NW New Jersey Posts: 69	I see what looks to be two nice sized chunks of LR in your main tank, did you also put some in your sump? Your rock work looks really good BTW. With almost 4 lbs of LR putting in a shrimp, I personally don't see the point you will probably see a 10 to 14 day cycle anyway. I just guessing there! If you do use a shrimp then don't let it stay more than three days or you'll start to smell it, beneficial or not. Great looking tank there!

09/22/2013, 01:55 PM	#5
BonnieMiller Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Louisville, Kentucky USA Posts: 25	we are about finished now cycling our aquarium it is a 70 gallon tomorrow or tuesday we are going to place a order and get snails and a few fish to put in it...

09/23/2013, 03:46 PM	#7
Mark9 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Atlanta Posts: 2,497	Not alot going on, waiting is hard, real hard. Actually, ammonia looks a bit greener from my first pic.

09/23/2013, 03:50 PM	#8
Mark9 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Atlanta Posts: 2,497	Tank seems to be clearing up

09/23/2013, 04:36 PM	#10
duperdave Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: fredericksburg, VA Posts: 283	.I am also starting a new saltwater tank, I'm about two and a half weeks in.I ghost feed every 2 to 3 days . seemed to work well,other than that I just look at it.sorry if this is posted twice

09/23/2013, 04:53 PM	#11
mallard Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 87	If the LR you put in the tank was already cycled then you're not likely going to see a cycle because there is nothing to feed a cycle. I wouldn't go the shrimp route but some people have used it successfully. I would just put a light amount of food in the tank daily and let the bacteria on your LR take care of the food. Within a week you'll start to see the algae blooms and all the fun that comes with a cycle.