New Tank Cycling - Live Rock

Ciaran · 03-18-2004, 11:12 AM

Just a quickie - i have started the cycling process of the tank yesterday, Tank Details are 180 Litre - 50 gallons, 2 powerheads, using existing filter - (Jewel 180) - and protein skimmer capable of up to 400 litres. My questions are,

1. Is there anything i should be doing or adding before I put the live rock in?

2. How much live rock should I use on this system which would filter the tank and give me a bit of room for aquascaping.

Look forward to your replies.

Regards,

Ciaran

Cougra · 03-18-2004, 11:26 AM

How are you cycling the tank at the moment? What do you have in the tank?

It depends on what type of live rock you have or want to get.
There are two ways you can purchase LR.

First is uncured, stuff that just came out of the ocean and hasn't had time for everything to die off. This can be added to the tank immediatedly before the tank is cycled. The material that is on the rock will decay in the tank and aid in cycling it by giving the bacteria the food it needs to multiply. Before the rock is placed in the tank, you should remove as much of the decaying material as you can.

The second is cured live rock. This is rock that has been in a tank for a while, all the material that is going to die off has and it's starting to or has regained some life again. This is generally added after a tank has cycled.

As for the amount of live rock it really depends on what you want in the tank. Generally 1 to 2 pounds of live rock is recommended for filtration, more for a heavy bioload (lots of fish) less for a light bioload. Also different types of rock of the same size can have very different weigth depending on where it's from and it's density. Remember these are general rules and you can tailor your tank to your particular needs. There is no one right way of doing any of this.

Ciaran · 03-18-2004, 11:29 AM

Thanks Michelle,

Bascially what I have done so far is set the tank up with argonite sand and added the water through a deioniser. I added the pump and protein skimmer and set it in motion.

I plan on using cured rock.

Regards,

Ciaran

Tarasco · 03-18-2004, 12:27 PM

I'm sure that you have already done it, but I'll say it anyways: Make sure that you add the salt to the water before adding the rock. Sorry, but I think it's worth saying for a newbie who may read this later and not have any idea what's going on.

The amount of live rock is up to you. The general rule is about a pound per gallon, but this will change depending on the porousness of the rock. The more porous the rock, the less needed. Generally you can tell whether a rock is porous by comparing similarly sized rocks. A lighter rock of the same size is more porous. Also, keep in mind how you want to aquascape. This is another personal perference that will effect the amount of rock.

You stated that you have set up the protein skimmer and pump, which is good. Water movement is good when cycling. You can test the water, and do occassional water changes to make sure that you save as many beneficial critters as possible.

When your ammonia and nitrite are zero, the cycle is pretty much done! Good luck!

caja · 03-18-2004, 12:36 PM

If you're using cured LR your cycle will take less time than uncured LR, but plan on at leat 2-4 weeks. also, if you are buying the cured LR locally, it would be best to transport it home in a bucket of SW to keep the amount of time out of water to a minimum, or at the very least be sure wherever you are buying it wraps it in wet newspaper to keep it damp.

03-18-2004, 11:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
Ciaran Tunicate Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Co Meath, Ireland Posts: 11 View Gallery Karma Komment	New Tank Cycling - Live Rock Just a quickie - i have started the cycling process of the tank yesterday, Tank Details are 180 Litre - 50 gallons, 2 powerheads, using existing filter - (Jewel 180) - and protein skimmer capable of up to 400 litres. My questions are, 1. Is there anything i should be doing or adding before I put the live rock in? 2. How much live rock should I use on this system which would filter the tank and give me a bit of room for aquascaping. Look forward to your replies. Regards, Ciaran

03-18-2004, 11:26 AM	#2 (permalink)
Cougra Dragon Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 2,216 View Gallery Karma Komment	How are you cycling the tank at the moment? What do you have in the tank? It depends on what type of live rock you have or want to get. There are two ways you can purchase LR. First is uncured, stuff that just came out of the ocean and hasn't had time for everything to die off. This can be added to the tank immediatedly before the tank is cycled. The material that is on the rock will decay in the tank and aid in cycling it by giving the bacteria the food it needs to multiply. Before the rock is placed in the tank, you should remove as much of the decaying material as you can. The second is cured live rock. This is rock that has been in a tank for a while, all the material that is going to die off has and it's starting to or has regained some life again. This is generally added after a tank has cycled. As for the amount of live rock it really depends on what you want in the tank. Generally 1 to 2 pounds of live rock is recommended for filtration, more for a heavy bioload (lots of fish) less for a light bioload. Also different types of rock of the same size can have very different weigth depending on where it's from and it's density. Remember these are general rules and you can tailor your tank to your particular needs. There is no one right way of doing any of this. __________________ Michelle Just because something CAN be done, it doesn't mean that it SHOULD be done!

03-18-2004, 12:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tarasco Plate Coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 724 View Gallery Karma Komment	I'm sure that you have already done it, but I'll say it anyways: Make sure that you add the salt to the water before adding the rock. Sorry, but I think it's worth saying for a newbie who may read this later and not have any idea what's going on. The amount of live rock is up to you. The general rule is about a pound per gallon, but this will change depending on the porousness of the rock. The more porous the rock, the less needed. Generally you can tell whether a rock is porous by comparing similarly sized rocks. A lighter rock of the same size is more porous. Also, keep in mind how you want to aquascape. This is another personal perference that will effect the amount of rock. You stated that you have set up the protein skimmer and pump, which is good. Water movement is good when cycling. You can test the water, and do occassional water changes to make sure that you save as many beneficial critters as possible. When your ammonia and nitrite are zero, the cycle is pretty much done! Good luck! __________________ Mike "I saw what the governor makes. That's like four hands of blackjack." -- Charles Barkley on why he wasn't seriously considering becoming the Governor of Alabama

03-18-2004, 11:29 AM	#3 (permalink)
Ciaran Tunicate Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Co Meath, Ireland Posts: 11 View Gallery Karma Komment	Thanks Michelle, Bascially what I have done so far is set the tank up with argonite sand and added the water through a deioniser. I added the pump and protein skimmer and set it in motion. I plan on using cured rock. Regards, Ciaran

03-18-2004, 12:36 PM	#5 (permalink)
caja Cabbage Leather Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 371 View Gallery Karma Komment	If you're using cured LR your cycle will take less time than uncured LR, but plan on at leat 2-4 weeks. also, if you are buying the cured LR locally, it would be best to transport it home in a bucket of SW to keep the amount of time out of water to a minimum, or at the very least be sure wherever you are buying it wraps it in wet newspaper to keep it damp.

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