Filter media during initial cycle?

[Psychojam]

Hey there,

I'm preparing for the re-birth of my BioCube 14.

I just received the media rack from InTank LLC.

First off, can you put Puigen and Chemi-pure in the same basket, then Cheato (w/ a light , of course) in another basket?

Second, should you run either/or Purigen, Chemi-pure or the cheato while cycling the tank or should you wait until the cycle is complete?

Thanks

 

[Psychojam]

Bump

 

[ddwbeagles]

Wow - was hoping the experts would of come in and help you out. I throw in my two cents worth. Assuming you are just cycling your tank with no inhabitants in it yet (fish or corals) - you want and need a source of ammonia and nitrates in order to establish a healthy and large enough bacterail colony to break it down those components. (which will be produced as a by-product once you stock your tank).

So if you agree that is the principle behind LR cycling (i.e. using the decaying organic matter from the LR die off to fuel and grow your beneficial bacterial), then I would not run chemipure, purigen or even Cheato during the cycle. I would however, use filter floss in your media basket to act as "mechanical filtration" to capture and remove some of the decaying organics. If you already have cheato and no other place to store it, that would be the one I would possible keep in there just to help out with the phosphates. Although I would expect both a diatom and alegea bloom at some point in the next two or even three months, depending on your LR. Good luck