New Tank Setup With Cured LR

[Modo]

Okay this is a first for me. I've setup a new 90g tank with cured LR out of a reef club members tank. I've always gone through the cycle with raw LR with the die off but never with cured before. This rock is awesome (except for some Mojanos 8O ) with lost of dusters, polyps, etc....

The rock has been in my tank for 3 days and I took my first water tests last night. Free Ammonia was 0, Total Ammonia was 0.05 (really not clear on the difference of Free and Total) and Nitrite was undetectable.

There are tons of pods and worms and I've been putting a pinch of flake in once a day hoping to give them something to munch on and multiply (It just seems kinda baron in there)

So, what can I expect in terms of cycle? Am I even going to have one? I can't add detrivores or snails yet, because there is nothing for them to eat. Fish are somewhat out of the question since I'm trying to build up my bug population.

What, When, should I be looking for in terms of an established bacteria population before I start adding anything???

 

[ChrisRD]

You probably won't see any "cycle" per say. This doesn't mean the bacteria aren't there, just that you don't have enough of an imbalance anywhere in the Nitrogen Cycle to be building something up (a good thing! ).

I know some folks like to add something to the tank to force a spike of ammonia, but IMO that will do more harm than good if you have all those critters already established. I'd just keep doing what you're doing and give it some time.

IME, when you start stocking, providing you're doing it a reasonable rate, the bacterial populations adapt quickly to the new load and you never see a spike.

JMO/JME

 

[Modo]

That's along the same lines as I was thinking. I guess I'm really curious if a spike in a week or something might occur. Or if I add a fish and it spikes for some reason.

I'm also concerned that if the bacteria colonies are established that they may taper off without some sort of livestock. Is this possible?

BTW- I don't know how I posted in this forum, but thanks for the quick answers!

 

[ChrisRD]

If you stock at a reasonable pace you shouldn't have a problem IMO.

As for bacterial populations tapering off - I've never seen it come up as a problem for anyone using live rock to start a tank. Considering the amount of microscopic life that's already in/on your rock and all the waste that is probably already being produced and recycled I doubt there'd be any lack of organics for quite some time...

FWIW, I've read about some European reefers waiting a full year before they start stocking a tank (waiting for the rock and the system to mature).

BTW, let me know if you'd like this thread moved - we can do that.

 

[Modo]

Thanks for the input. I might order a detrivore kit and feed the tank every now and then and see what happens. Plus I need to get my chemistry inline as well. I've still need to get my pH, calcium, alk and so forth where I want them and then dial in my reactor. I think it would be alot less stressful without anything really in there in case I jack up the pH!

 

[ChrisRD]

That's sounds like a good plan. I'm in the process of moving (just broke down my old tank and got rid of the rock and livestock) and I'll be doing the same thing when I setup at the new location. Good luck with your new setup and post a few pics here on RDO for us once-in-a-while.