Cycling a large reef tank

[ibryson]

I'm almost to the point where I'll be adding rock/sand/water and want to make sure I do it correctly! Let me know what you think.

I'm setting up a 180g reef tank with a 35g sump. I'll be adding 180lbs of reef saver rock and roughly 80lbs of Caribsea live sand. I'll also add a rock from my current 40g tank to the sump during the cycle process. Will I even have to cycle the tank or will the live sand and rock in the sump be enough to go ahead and add a couple fish?

If I do need to cycle, would adding a couple jumbo shrimp be enough?

Or, is there a better way to go about doing this process?

 

[FishAndPhysics]

What is the life history of the live rock? Has it been out of water? If so, it needs to be cycled.

 

[ibryson]

What is the life history of the live rock? Has it been out of water? If so, it needs to be cycled.

It's in a current system. I've had this 40g running for about 3 years with 3 small fish. I plan to move them over to the 180g then use the 40g as a QT system.

 

[FishAndPhysics]

Right after I posted, I realized reef saver is a dry rock. Sorry for my confusion. Yes, I would cycle it, one rock and the live sand is not going to have enough bio capacity.

 

[ibryson]

Right after I posted, I realized reef saver is a dry rock. Sorry for my confusion. Yes, I would cycle it, one rock and the live sand is not going to have enough bio capacity.

Do you think throwing a couple jumbo shrimp in for a few days will suffice? Since there will already be a beneficial bacteria presence the cycle shouldn't take too long right? Maybe a week or two? I'd just like to avoid a 6-8 cycle process if possible

 

[FishAndPhysics]

I'd wait longer than a few days. I'd wait long enough that 1. you see the ammonia spike from the shrimp completely subside, then 2. add a bit more shrimp and check there isn't an ammonia spike. If there is return to 1. IMO, that may end up being a number of weeks.

 

[Dmorty217]

TLC startsmart is what I have used for years to instantly cycle my QT tanks and also my 625g (800g total) system. Stuff really works, frag20 will get you 20% off if you want to give it a try. You won’t be disappointed

 

[ibryson]

TLC startsmart is what I have used for years to instantly cycle my QT tanks and also my 625g (800g total) system. Stuff really works, frag20 will get you 20% off if you want to give it a try. You won't be disappointed

Where do you purchase this at? Do they have their own website?

 

[Dmorty217]

Where do you purchase this at? Do they have their own website?

https://www.tlc-products.com/

You can also purchase it from Amazon

 

[ibryson]

https://www.tlc-products.com/

You can also purchase it from Amazon

I'll definitely check it out. So I will be able to add fish right away? I've always been hesitant to do this method but I'm sure it works!

 

[Dmorty217]

I'll definitely check it out. So I will be able to add fish right away? I've always been hesitant to do this method but I'm sure it works!

Yes I have done it at least a dozen times