How long to cycle 75 w/extras?

[haywood2]

I just set up my 75 gallon tank. Plans for the tank are FOWLR. Lighting is an Aqua light with dual 65 watt 50/50 bulbs... its pretty bright. Anyways, I put about 5 gallons from an established tank in there, 10 gallons from an established freshwater tank, and also added a small penguin filter from an established salt tank. Do you think it will be done in less than a month? And also, can I put in cured live rock during the cycling process?

 

[der_wille_zur_macht]

You want the rock in there while the tank is cycling. A big part of the cycling process is to introduce everything that can throw the tank way off before you have livestock - rock can definitely throw a tank off, so you want it in there now.

When you're talking about adding "gallons from an established tank" - do you mean gallons of water? If so, it really won't do anything for you, especially the freshwater - anything living in it will be dead now that it's in saltwater. The filter was a good start, since it'll have lots of bacteria in it, but you really need something covered in other beneficial life, too - such as that live rock, or a few scoops of live sand from an established tank.

 

[knoxtnreef]

I agree with der_wille_zur_macht

I got two live rocks from a fellow reef club member and two scoops of live sand. I also have two small hermits in the tank.

 

[kkyyllee]

water will do nothing for you but give you nitrate, add all of ur liverock now

 

[meco65]

Fresh water should be like adding a shrimp, and will start the cycle. The more live rock you have the better up to 1.5LBS per GAL. of water.

 

[haywood2]

Ok thanks for the replies guys. So the live rock won't die during the cycle, all of the algae will stay? And do you think I have enough lighting? 130 watts, so almost 2 watts/gallon. Thanks again!

 

[kkyyllee]

nope it wont die, and would start another cycle if added later, lighting doesnt matter in a fowlr so ur fine

 

[tygger]

It depends on many variables, but I would expect 3-4 weeks.

 

[blenny100]

I wouldn't rush it. I've started 2 tanks (with new water) and been fine with a 2-3 week cycling period. Slow is always better with reef tanks.