cycling ?

[alphaferret]

buddy of mine is just starting a reef. oceanic bio something. nice tank glass with curved corners. but anyway my question is can i give him some sand or lr to get him going. i think it would be alright and may decrease the wait time. but it has been awhile.

thanks

alpha

 

[pascal32]

I had no detectable cycle bringing in mostly established rock, even with a new sand bed. None the less I waited about 3 weeks. I did put a clown in to help cycle. I have heard the cup of sand is good and bad, depends on who you ask.

If he is looking for rock I have quite a bit of very nice rock, all from established tank, heated and moving, lots with coraline. Also have about a 100 lbs of clean uncycled base rock.

Oh yeah - and some free pulsing red xenia when he wants it . HAhahahaha beatcha Jay!

 

[pascal32]

Also meant to say that I heard of a chemical that is supposed to cycle a tank in one week. You might want to google around for it and post back if you try it!

 

[lcs]

If he's using mostly dead, base rock, you could give him some established LR to help kick the cycle. He'll still need to add some source of ammonia to give the bacteria something to grow on - fish food or a shrimp from the grocery store. Please don't let him use a fish to cycle. I would imagine it will take three to six weeks, maybe eight, for the cycle to complete, then he should add a small CUC and after that the first couple of fish.

 

[alphaferret]

Blurry -thanks for the heads up the other day

also how much you looking to get for the LR-he may need some.

So I give him a scoop of good seeded sand and a chunk of LR that is from my active cycled tank-add some type of item that can bio degrade-wait 3-6 weeks check levels along the way should be good to go when the ammonia is 0-sound about right?

and thanks

 

[lcs]

good to go when the ammonia is 0-sound about right?

Ammonia and nitrites need to be at zero. When the nitrates spike, after the nitrItes are at zero, he can do a large (50%-ish) water change and then add the CUC.

I hope this makes sense!

 

[micro98]

Thanks for the tips.

blurry yes I am interested to some of your live rock will send a PM Shortly

 

[alphaferret]

<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

micro98-The newest member of the Pitcher Hill Society!

Dean

Ps- I smell a build thread a comin'!

 

[pascal32]

Welcome!

 

[alphaferret]

Man micro you been lurking for awhile-join date 2008?!

 

[lcs]

Welcome to Reef Central and the URS!! Best bunch of folks ever.