I'm going to start the cycle on my first reef soon and I had a question about dry rock seeding. I'm going to be cycling with pure ammonia that I have left from a freshwater cycle. I have straight reefcleaners dry rock which I want to reef with a nugget of live rock from my lfs. Should I wait for the cycle to get going to prevent too much die off from occurring in the live rock, or should I just chuck it in? Thanks
Cycle question
- Thread starter Patrick.S
- Start date
anthonys51
New member
chuck it in, your using the live rock to seed the dry rock.
scooter31707
New member
I agree.
anthonys51
New member
i personally never add ammonia to cycle a new tank or even ghost feed. i feel nutrients will leach into the rock you have in the tank this way. normally why most people who do it that was always have the inevitable algae, cryno diatom outbreak. I normally add dry rock with live rock, wait a few days add half of the cuc your going to have wait a week and add corals. then 3 months later add fish, i never feed during the first 3 months i never have a cyrno problem or gha problem, or new tank problem this way. plus i never really have to test over and over. i dont really like testing. not saying its the only way but to me its easy
anthonys51
New member
if you arent feeding your tank and you start with dry rock and live rock then there would be no ammonia or nitrite in your tank to kill the corals. the live rock will have coraline algae, algae and other stuff on it to consume the little nutrients your tank does make, plus good bacteria on it. since your tank has no fish, you aren't feeding it and you cuc shouldnt and wont cuase much in nutrients. plus you dont need a huge cuc, just a few snails and a few hermit. you can also add more in a year if you dont think you have enough dont go online and look at the cuc packages. to me they have way to many in those packs.
aquamann183
New member
Just like freshwater..nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia aren't good. But in my opinion the best thing for corals and your tank in general is consistency.
Obviously you can't let the numbers get out of control, but if you have a little nitrate in your tank, and your doing your routine maintenance and everything you'll be okay.
The biggest thing is just to not put any fish in your tank until your ammonia is 0. That you don't ever want to be higher.
What size tank are you setting up, and what are you using for substrate? Live sand, no sand..?
Also, be patient, no one likes having an empty tank with no fish, but like most things, "slow and steady wins the race".
Welcome to the world of reefing, have fun, and don't worry. Having a successful saltwater aquarium isnt as difficult as most people think.
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anthonys51
New member
Just like freshwater..nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia aren't good. But in my opinion the best thing for corals and your tank in general is consistency.
Obviously you can't let the numbers get out of control, but if you have a little nitrate in your tank, and your doing your routine maintenance and everything you'll be okay.
The biggest thing is just to not put any fish in your tank until your ammonia is 0. That you don't ever want to be higher.
What size tank are you setting up, and what are you using for substrate? Live sand, no sand..?
Also, be patient, no one likes having an empty tank with no fish, but like most things, "slow and steady wins the race".
Welcome to the world of reefing, have fun, and don't worry. Having a successful saltwater aquarium isnt as difficult as most people think.
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good advice
My tank is the Innovative Marine 10 gallon, so right away I'm blatantly ignoring the advice to start big. But other than that I'm all about slow and steady. The tank will be bare bottom and focusing mostly on Euphillia. Planning on just having 2 small fish a shrimp and maybe 2 trochus snails. Or that's the plan atm
anthonys51
New member
you can go small. small is cheap. but small can change quickly, but if your the type to top off everyday and keep and eye on your tank and do small water changes once a week . it can and will work. only think is a 10 gallon limits you on the fish you can have and most gobies need sand in their tank.
aquamann183
New member
Exactly what he said. ^
My first tank was a 40 breeder with a 20 gallon sump.
Most people recommend bigger tanks like a 40 gallon for a first tank because their is more room for error.
If you dont religiously top of your water, you'll be okay.
But like Anthony said, if you can religiously top off your water, you'll be okay.
Not trying to steer you away from your tank, just letting you know what to expect.
You may even want to look into an auto top off. That would help a lot with a tank that small.
Also if you haven't already, see if their is a local forum for saltwater in your area. Or a Facebook group.
That is a big money saver right there!
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aquamann183
New member
anthonys51
New member
Just make sure you mark a spot on the tank so you know where to top it off. You be surprised how much can evaporate in a day
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