Cycling with LR question

[Toolfan333]

Hello, I just set up my 60g with 65lbs of LR, 1.5" of crushed coral substrate , 2 powerheads and 2 350gph HOBs. All of the LR came from my LFS and they said it's cured( most came from a tear down). Just looking for some clarification how the cycle will work with my current set up. I've done several marine tanks over the years, but I've always cycled my tank with damsels and then added LR rock gradually. This is my first time doing a LR cycle and I'm finding conflicting info on the web. Any help/info would be appreciated.

 

[Misticl]

I cycled me fresh 75 gallon with live rock right form the start. Tested the tank daily with no changes. At the end of week 4 we went on vacation for a week. Came home and saw no change yet everything was still perfect. Waited 2 more weeks and no change. Added 8 damsels. 2 weeks later we assumed the cycling happened while away and not testing. Took another week and breaking down all the rock to catch the damsels. No spikes ever during my testing. And I will never cycle a tank with damsels again. Still to this day I don't think my rock looks as good as it did during cycling.

TL;DR

put all the live rock in now. Wait 6 to 7 weeks. If you add damsels expect to restock all your rock.

 

[RobZilla04]

DO NOT CYCLE your tank with live fish!

Toss in a quick cycle product, or just some fish food and watch the ammonia start the cycle.

Do have all of your rock in the tank during the cycle. If it was taken from an already live system, the bacteria needed should already be in the rock provided it wasn't left out to completely dry. If using new dry (base) rock, use some fish food or other no living option to kick it off.

 

[lapin]

DO NOT CYCLE your tank with live fish!

Toss in a quick cycle product, or just some fish food and watch the ammonia start the cycle.

+1
The only thing "live" you need is the bacteria. If you feel you need something marine to cycle your tank, use a table shrimp. It's dead and will break down into ammonia and feed the bacteria. Costs about $.50.

 

[mcgyvr]

There is no need to add anything..
The rock is already cured/cycled..
There will be no cycle as there is already sufficient bacteria on the rock..

Thats why local fish stores keep rocks in vats of water already cured/cycled so that you can take home a tank/rock/fish and set it up right away and not have a cycle..

So long as you keep the rock fairly wet and put it into a tank of saltwater right away there will be no cycle..
Now if you buy live rock and take it home and let it sit in your garage for hours/days then you will have a cycle as there will be sufficient die off due to the bacteria drying out..

 

[Night Reefer]

+1 on no fish cycle. You can always add some ammonia and see it cycle though each stage. The most reliable place I have found is Ace Hardware. Otherwise, its easiest to order Dr Tims ammonia chloride. But only if there are fish in the tank.

 

[Toolfan333]

Thx for the replies, the LR I have was in a big vat and from what they told me, it came from a reef tank that was taken down the week before and they put it in the bin with water. When I bought it, we put in a big sterolite container and wrapped each piece in a wet paper towel. The total time from when I selected the rocks until they were in the tank was about 2 hrs.

 

[mcgyvr]

Thx for the replies, the LR I have was in a big vat and from what they told me, it came from a reef tank that was taken down the week before and they put it in the bin with water. When I bought it, we put in a big sterolite container and wrapped each piece in a wet paper towel. The total time from when I selected the rocks until they were in the tank was about 2 hrs.

Good..
There is no need to do anything..
Its already cycled..
You can start slowly stocking the tank whenever you want..

 

[Toolfan333]

Nice! Thx for the info