It's been a looong time, please jog my memory

[awestruck]

I haven't had a tank cycle in a VERY long time, so I need a refresher course on a few points. Within the next week I'll be upgrading from my emergency 20g. to a new 65g. w/20g. sump. So, here goes:

1. I'm going to put only 1 piece of live rock in with non-live rock to start the cycle (and maybe a dead piece of shrimp). Or, is it better to put all of the live rock that's in the 20g. in the 65g. right away? Ok, after the tank cycles, do I need to pull the live rock out, scrub it, and put it back in the tank?

2. Once ammonia and nitrites are gone, how much of a water change is needed?

3. Do I run carbon while the tank is cycling, and if so, can I still use that carbon after the cycle or should I simply toss it and start w/new carbon?

4. What other essentials am I forgetting?

I know these are newb questions, but I haven't done this in so long I'm not sure I remember everything. :rolleye1:

 

[wrott]

Just put the LR in the tank and wait for 3-4 weeks. Siphon off detritus every week, add a few creatures and let it be. Feed very spairingly the first 2 weeks--like once every 2-3 days. Then you'll be fine, I would not even use test kits--but that's me.

 

[awestruck]

Wrott, what few creatures are you referring to? I'm thinking you mean just put the lr in, and then once the cycle is done I can simply move the corals, snails, brittle star etc. in (and do you mean just feed the corals sparingly)? I do have a sun coral that is spot fed mysis at minimum every other day. However, right now I have no fish so that isn't a problem.

Also, how much of a water change after the cycle, and should I run carbon during the cycle, and can I just rinse it and reuse it, again, after the cycle?

 

[wrott]

I was referring to hermits and snails.

I have successfully transferred entire tanks w/ no deaths, so it's not that hard. Let the new rock cycle then add everything--no food for a few days--then very sparingly. Change as much water as you can, 20-30% every 3-7 days until things look good

 

[wrott]

Sorry for the vagueness, but you should be OK, and in your case, I would definitely use test kits--NO2 and NH3.

 

[awestruck]

Yes, I've moved in the past and had to transfer with no problems at all. I believe it may cycle because I'll be increasing the water volume x 4. It would be very cool if it doesn't cycle at all, but I doubt it.

Ok, 20-30% every 3-7 days. Glad to know that--thanks. And, I'll definitely be testing before I move the animals.

 

[jmski333]

some people save their water from prior water changes to use in their upgrade process. so if you start saving now you could have an extra 10-20 gallons of water in a couple weeks to make the transfer less stressful on your fish. You just need to keep the water heated and throw a PH in there. that is if you wanted to do it all in one day.

 

[awestruck]

Good idea jmski333!

 

[greech]

Why can't you just move everything from the 20 to the 65? Your going to a larger volume of water (more buffer) with the same bioload. As long as you don't start adding more stock right away there shouldn't be an issue. You will need to allow time for the sand (assuming you use new sand) to mature a bit but that should not cause a cycle. You can add fully cured rock slowly as you go as well. As mentioned just feed sparingly and keep on WCs.