Question about cycling and rock.

[solareclisped]

I set up my tank about 2 weeks ago with all dead rock. 2 days later I added a couple shrimp to start the cycle. Now today I bought a couple pieces of live rock and am going to add to the tank. Should I buy some of the coraline accelerator to help the spread of the alge or just leave it be. I also have 2 bags of live sand that I am going to add at my first water change. How long into the cycle should I do my first water change?

 

[Michael]

no point adding anything yet, just let the tank cycle naturally, forget adding any chemicals, id forget the live sand as well, pointless imo, just add a medium grade aragonite and let the tank mature, at this stage especially with dead rock you need patience and need to monitor the cycle

 

[Fizz71]

Get all the dead rock, dead sand, live rock, live sand in the tank that you want and then stop and wait to see what happens. You don't want to keep adding stuff like bagged live sand because it will really re-kick start a mini-cycle. Adding live rock might too.

IMO you need to get everything in that you want in and start testing for ammonia.

Once you see it, start testing for nitrite. Once you see it, start testing for nitrate. Once the ammonia and nitrite 0 out for a week you should be good to add some cleanup crew and maybe a small hardy fish.

BTW...I'd ditch the shrimp. You have live rock now so that's all you need.

 

[solareclisped]

The shrimp are no where to be seen. I guess they have dissolved or whatever they do cause I cant find them anymore. I put the live rock in a bit ago and a little bit later 2 little crabs came out to play. I hope the cycle does not kill them. I will put the sand in in a little while then and then just wait. I am not in a hurry to put fish in I am just waiting.