Is rock NEEDED to have a successful cycle?

[chucky1911]

I filled up my new 75 gallon tank with RO last night, mixed in my salt, let it settle, tested parameters (all normal), then added my live sand. I also added a few sponges for bacteria to start to colonize. My question is, do I also need to add liverock at this point to cycle or can I just wait. I have about 40 pounds covered in coral I want to add later for half the tank, then aquascape the other half when I have a better idea what im looking to do.

Thoughts??

 

[DrewHaus]

So you've got 40 lbs of live rock covered in coral? Are you concerned about keeping your coral out of the display while it cycles?

Anyways, part of the cycle is establishing beneficial bacteria in the porous rock. This won't happen without the rock. It will start to colonize in your live sand and other places, but I would definitely add the rock, as this is a huge part of filtration in most reef tanks.

 

[DrewHaus]

If the rock you already have is covered in live coral, it will be very stressful and ill advised for them to be put through a new tank cycle. Can you elaborate on what your situation is?

 

[bundybear1981]

IF you have added enough sponges that can act as a temporary growth area for the bacteria, somewhat like some of us do for our quarantine tanks.

Once the main cycle is complete I would slowly change out the sponges for your rock, adding a piece of rock and waiting a few days before removing a sponge then repeating until changed out.

 

[Joe's Coral Reef]

Are you using the sponges like for a filter, with water passing through them?

 

[chucky1911]

If the rock you already have is covered in live coral, it will be very stressful and ill advised for them to be put through a new tank cycle. Can you elaborate on what your situation is?

Correct. I have a smaller established cube setup and running with coral covered liverock. I dont want to lose any corals so i will wait to add this until later. But right now I want to establish a colony of bacteria and avoid any future spikes. I know adding liverock is extremely beneficial, but I plan on being rather particular with my design and want to see what my current aquascape will look like.

 

[chucky1911]

Are you using the sponges like for a filter, with water passing through them?

they are general filters that came with my fluval 405 (use as a media reactor and chiller pump). probably 120 cubic inches in volume. I just have them floating in my refugium.

 

[chucky1911]

IF you have added enough sponges that can act as a temporary growth area for the bacteria, somewhat like some of us do for our quarantine tanks.

Once the main cycle is complete I would slowly change out the sponges for your rock, adding a piece of rock and waiting a few days before removing a sponge then repeating until changed out.

This was kind of my idea. any experience with this in a full tank, or just speculating that this method should work? Im fine to leave the sponges in there for as long as needed. I have a eshopps r-300 sump, is almost as big as my tank lol

 

[Reef Frog]

It would be so much easier to get any new rock in place and fully cured, and then add your existing 40 pounds of coralized rock. Why split the job? I can't see an advantage except perhaps to indulge the instinct to get er done and remove the old tank. But I think the patient approach may reward you.

Btw I'll be doing what you are in a few months. Have fun.

JMO&2cent

 

[Sk8r]

I've had stony bubble coral, xenia, mushrooms, sponges, all survive a full-blown cycle starting from ice-cold water in January; and I've had euphyllia and acan survive 8 days with no circulation, 61.1 degrees, and probably some ammonia...Corals can protect themselves by expelling water and going fairly dormant. Fish, not so much. FOr what it's worth.

 

[anthonys51]

i upgraded from a 20 gallon to 57 gallon tank. i bought new live sand another 30 lbs of live rock and moved the fish and the coral into the new tank. used the same water and made sure to match everything up. i didn't lose a single piece or coral or fish. its basically just a big water change in my book. people do preform 50 percent water changes

 

[aadams22]

i upgraded from a 20 gallon to 57 gallon tank. i bought new live sand another 30 lbs of live rock and moved the fish and the coral into the new tank. used the same water and made sure to match everything up. i didn't lose a single piece or coral or fish. its basically just a big water change in my book. people do preform 50 percent water changes

This ^

Get a cheap ten gallon from wally world ($11) and cycle some dead rock in that with pure ammonia. Then add the rock

 

[chucky1911]

I went out and got 10 pounds of liverock to start it off along with 2 pounds of rubble for the fuge. Im not sure i want to stress the corals unnecessarily. still a few things i want to get for a complete setup. thanks for your input!!