Tank Cycling

[Jenna X]

Edit 8/27/13 Would I be able to setup a QT tank solely for qt new corals/frags. The setup would be new equipment, filter, bare bottom, 3 gallon filled with RODI water. Since there won't be any fishes, would I be correct in assuming there isn't going to be any cycle because there is no source of ammonia?


Hi Everyone, I have a 29g Coralife Biocube tank cycling, live black sand & live rock purchased online. I'm working on getting an RODI unit asap to avoid any issues down the road, temporarily using my RO unit.
Tank was set up Friday evening 8/09, with live rock curing in the new setup. I did not do any modifications on the setup, but I'd like to pass on the bio balls and use combo of poly filter / sponge / chemipure elite instead. I'm thinking of a similar filtration like my innovative marine 8.

1. This may be a silly question but would removing the bio balls disrupt the cycle?
2. Does anyone have recommendations on a Protein Skimmer?
​

FYI, I also added Dr. Tim's nitrifying bacteria Monday evening, thinking it would help with the cycle, failing to realize live rock should be enough. :duh:

Because the right side of the tank is near the wall, I arranged the rocks so that there is a nice view from the front and left.

Here are my water parameters, if anyone has any suggestions and/or comments.
Note that I have actinics on for > 1 hr a day (trying to enjoy my new tank and visualize the coral setup). I also have a koralia 600 gph powerhead running.

Salinity 1.021, Temp 80
8/10 Ammonia 4.0ppm Nitrite Deep Purp I'd say between 2 - 5 ppm
8/ 11 Ammonia 2.0 ppm Nitrite 2.0 Nitrate 5 ppm
8/12 Ammonia between 1.0 -2.0 Nitrite 2.0 Nitrate 5 ppm
8/14 Ammonia btwn .25-.50 Nitrite btwn 2 - 5 ppm (last pic)

 

[edd]

i would remove bioballs now and let it continue to cycle. and use a filter sock on return, they can be washed and used again.

 

[basiab]

Welcome. Sounds good so far. Lights not needed until cycle is done but no problem if you put it on just to see what is going on. If the rock was cured by the seller then just continue on. But if it was not cured at all then the smell will begin to overpower and other steps need to be taken. I have a 24 gallon aquapod so I can give you some ideas but each brand is different as to what skimmer will fit etc. I have a rio skimmer on mine and I feel it is worth while. But with small tanks if you do 10% water changes weekly you can get by without a skimmer. It depends on how much and which fish are in there.

 

[Jenna X]

i would remove bioballs now and let it continue to cycle. and use a filter sock on return, they can be washed and used again.

hmm will try that, but what type of carbon? I can see chemipure getting expensive

 

[Jenna X]

Welcome. Sounds good so far. Lights not needed until cycle is done but no problem if you put it on just to see what is going on. If the rock was cured by the seller then just continue on. But if it was not cured at all then the smell will begin to overpower and other steps need to be taken. I have a 24 gallon aquapod so I can give you some ideas but each brand is different as to what skimmer will fit etc. I have a rio skimmer on mine and I feel it is worth while. But with small tanks if you do 10% water changes weekly you can get by without a skimmer. It depends on how much and which fish are in there.

the rock was cured (ordered online) but there was definitely some die off, it had a smell in the beginning, not odious but tolerable, but is no longer there.
I'm thinking I would need a skimmer because of what I plan on keeping there, some acans, gorgonians etc. The two clowns will be moved there with the mandarin, might possibly add one or two more small fishes. I really would like a stardust blenny and spotted jawfish but have not looked into compatibility yet.

 

[lnevo]

Is that your target salinity? Personally i shoot for 1.025, but every tank is different. Otherwise looks like your doing fine.

 

[basiab]

I'm thinking I would need a skimmer because of what I plan on keeping there, some acans, gorgonians etc. The two clowns will be moved there with the mandarin, might possibly add one or two more small fishes. I really would like a stardust blenny and spotted jawfish but have not looked into compatibility yet.

With a small fish population you could get by without a skimmer but generally it does help.
Forget the mandarin unless you can train it to eat . Tank your size cannot produce enough pods to support it.
I agree with 1.025.

 

[Rob&Gab]

+ 1 on 1.025.

 

[Waleedwale1]

I got a biocube recently as well and I'm looking at the CPR SR3 skimmer

 

[oh207]

I'm new here so take what I say with a grain of salt. I agree with removing the bioballs. I read the aeration/drip plate is needed for freshwater setups so as to maintain FW specific bacteria. Which is not the case for a SW setup. You can place a piece of Live rock in there, but you will need to ensure its fully submerged. Caution that it could become a detritus trap if there is not sufficient flow.
I too think its a good idea to get the salinity up to 1.025. Actually the trick is maintaining it at that reading. You can gradually top off with mix water until you reach the desired reading. Then use RODI for any future top-offs.
Lastly and most importantly, the best advice I got was to be patient and to get the best equipment up front. So I waited 6 weeks to add first fish and 4 months to add first zoas.

 

[Jenna X]

Great, thanks everyone. I'll work on getting the salinity to 1.025. I would rather get all the (add'l) equipment/modifications now than later. I'd rather have the system functioning the way it should be on the onset, rather than dealing with any problems later on that could've been prevented.

 

[Jenna X]

bumped salinity to 1.023 sometime last week I tested yesterday ammonia 0, nitrite between 0 and .25, nitrate 0
Maybe in a week I can add a CUC when parameters read 0 all the way and since it's only 29g:

1. does anyone have recommendation on how much CUC to add? It would be a lot cheaper for me to order online rather than in LFS.​

 

[pbjelly]

reefcleaners.org is the place to get your cuc. Super friendly and helpful. Always sends way more than you need - which can be a problem with a small tank.
I had to organize a give-a away after I set up my 14 gallon because it was over-run with the snails I got. Also has nice macros if you want some for your tank.

edited to add - John from reefcleaners is a sponsor here - you can find him in the vendors list.

 

[Jenna X]

thanks Jelly, I'll check it out. I figure if I order online I can move some of the cuc between the two tanks.
I forgot about the macros! would having it improve chances in keeping pods. As of now I have them all over the cycling tank.

 

[Rob&Gab]

dont FORGET Reefs2go.com! they have a special right now 100 blue legs only 20$ and theres other things like pods they have deals on and there an awesome site. best of luck!

 

[Jenna X]

I did try reefs2go, someone on the board recommended it. I got the pods I needed, I always love free shipping!

 

[Rob&Gab]

if you ever get anything from there site you can purchase the cheapest free shipping package and then add anything on to your order its a way around buying 125$ worth of stuff and paying for shipping also. just a + side i learned from there site lol

 

[Jenna X]

I got a biocube recently as well and I'm looking at the CPR SR3 skimmer

@wale Did you ever get the sr3 skimmer? I'm still shopping around.

 

[Waleedwale1]

@wale Did you ever get the sr3 skimmer? I'm still shopping around.

Its out for delivery right now. Im just waiting by my door for the UPS man lol. I will hopefully get it today. Ill post here again after a day or two to let you know how its going.

 

[Jenna X]

Tank cycled some days ago thanks everyone

I noticed today that the tank is getting very hot though like 85 degrees hot, I keep the little lid closed. I'm sure I'll need a chiller one day but how expensive do you think the electric bill would be?