Nano Cycling questions

[TheSaint216]

Im getting an 11 gallon Mr.Aqua rimless tank. How long should I ideally let it cycle for? Im putting in sand which will be store bought and live rock that I currently have in my tank, it has mushrooms on it, bought it that way a month ago. How often should I change water? Im planning on running the powerhead day one, should I run the aquaclear or the skimmer to? Should I run my lights since I had shrooms on it? Im asking this question because I did everything you shouldnt do on my first tank and I want to do this tank right.

thanks

 

[double_g2k]

Cycle until you have 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and nitrates start to go up.
Skimmer from day 1 should be run if you plan on running one
Water changes 20% every 2 weeks or 10% a week
If you think there is life on the rocks then yes light them.
Powerhead is a must. Two, depending on flow output is better (30-50x tank volume per hour in gallons per hour is what you're looking for)

In the meantime, READ READ READ the new to the hobby forum religiously. Make sure you've read ALL the sticky's there, then move onto reef discussion and reef chemistry doing the same thing.

 

[aguerrero56]

I bought live rock with coraline algae and mushrooms all over it. To be honest I think I could of put fish in there from day one, but I waited two weeks for fish. Now a month and a half in to it I have 2 happy clowns, cuc and zoas with no problems so far. I have tested weekly and always had 0 ammonia 0 nitrite and 0 nitrates. I did get a skimmer recently because so many recommend it. Mushrooms will thank you for the lights and powerhead will help keep your water at proper temp. I didn't do the first water change for a month on my 15 gallon. I think I will try a 1 gallon weekly WC for now on. Good luck with your tank!

 

[Reeferz412]

You do not need to run the skimmer on day 1. It won't skim anything. Let whatever in your tank rot (ghost feeding, shrimp, or just LR die off) and test ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates, every day. Run your skimmer and add filter media when your nitrates start going up. At this point, you should have no fish in thank until all levels read 0. When cycling you don't need the lights to be on, but if you wish to preserve the coralline or corals on your rock, then keep the light on.