A few questions on cycling new tank....

[jmmbones]

Ok, so here's a little info on my setup. 90 gallon DT and 40 gallon sump. I have a total water volume of 115-120 gallons. I purchased 100lbs of BRS Reef Saver Rock. Rinsed in RO/DI water. Aquascaping complete. Water temp 78 degrees. Salinity 1.023. I just added Bio Spira to system this morning. I am also going Bare Bottom on DT. Questions I have regarding the cycle and tank....

1. Even after using the Bio Spira, would it benefit the cycle to add a raw shrimp?
2. I have several bags of live sand, would it benefit the system adding a sand bed to the center compartment of sump?
3. Should I run the skimmer during the cycle?

Any other areas or ideas I'm missing, please let me know.

 

[scooter31707]

1. Yes, use the raw shrimp method or pure ammonia to get ammonia in the tank.

2. You can add it to the sump, but if you are not intending to do a fuge, I would not add sand.

3. Some hobbyist say yes and some say no. IMO, it doesn't really matter. I have done both and did not see anything different between the two.

 

[mcgyvr]

1-yes
2-more than likely no and could cause more problems than it solves.
3-not needed.. add it after the cycle has completed

 

[anthonys51]

i would run the skimmer, because most skimmers have a break in period anyway. plus idont feel that they slow done the cycle at all.

also dont add sand to the sump, will just collect nutrients over time.

i was never a proponent of adding raw shrimp or an artificial ammonia source to a new tank. to easy to over due it, plus i dont like doing water changes. I much prefer to do it more naturally and with a little understanding of the science behind it , its not too hard. i would add a piece of live rock, if you want, if not its ok. . live rock will have a lot of life to help speed the process. if your worried about hickhickers, thats ok you dont have to do this step.

i normally buy a few 5 snails and few 2 hermit crabs
no adding 7 things to a 120 gallon system wont cause them to die from an ammonia spike.
do not feed the tank in this time
wait a week
what kind of corals are you going to add
i normally start adding corals after a week.
go with the easy ones.
i would start with gsp, kenya, botton pylops. jsut make sure to islotae them because these can spread fast.

since your not feeding the tank, there wont be much ammonia or nitrite . wait 3 months before adding fish,
test your water for alk weekly. dont really need to dose in beginning until demand catches up .
wait 2 weeks after adding each new fish or coral.