Setting up new tank, need help

[xkon]

Hey I just set up a 60 gallon tank. I aquascaped the dry rock and just filled it up with RODI water. I added in the salt and have the powerheads mixing it up and the heater running. Once that is mixed, can I just add in the live sand and then go buy a piece of live rock or two and drop it in to start the cycle? Or do I have to cure the live rock before it is added to the tank? If there is anything else I need to do please let me know. Thanks

 

[3dees]

on a new setup you can just add the rock. with only a little live rock you should probably add a shrimp to start your cycle.

 

[xkon]

Just a raw shrimp? about how long do I leave it in? also with the live rock, does it have to be touching the other rocks or does the bacteria/coraline algae spread all throughout the tank with water current and such?

 

[xkon]

I just added 3 lbs of live rock to the tank. Is the shrimp necessary for the tank to cycle or is the live rock enough to get it going and finish the cycle?

 

[acabgd]

You need ammonia to start the cy le. While there might be some small dieoff from your LR, I doubt it will be enough. Toss in a raw shrimp and takw it out once ammonia reaches 2 or 3 ppm.