I just got my 72g ls/rock/fish tank some what cycled. I did it a little differently than most of what I have read on sw forums.
I live in southern S.E. Alaska in an island community of 8k.
I started with 50# figi live rock and some local "sand" from a beach on a nearby island, It appears to be crushed granite (an average size of 1/8 inch), but does have some fines in there too.
I wanted to kick off the cycle process a little faster by adding some of the local rock crabs (about 40) to the tank. They range in size from 1/2" to 1 1/4". These little guys are tough! They will be released when cycling is complete and I will introduce the first tropical critters.
I do realize that my process may be a little uncoventional to most, but I have access to marine life right out my front door, so what the heck, I like to experiment!
I have successfully maintained a 12g aquapod for 6 months now using the same technique. This tank does not have a skimmer ( at least not like the vortex/bubbler type I purcheased for the new 72g.
When cycling, the 72 went through a green algae phase starting after only 5 days. Then a smaller red bloom appeared for another 5 days(mostly on the glass though), the red has since dissappeared and the green all but stopped and the water is clear again.
Even though I introduced an early bio load, this seems too early to consider stocking with the tropical life that I want. I kind of feel like I am going to get gnawed on by some of the true experts here but then again I do like to hear the wisdom.
Since the blooms seem to have subsided, there is a certain amount of floating green scum on the surface. Is this the time to turn on the skimmer? If so, how often and how long.
I live in southern S.E. Alaska in an island community of 8k.
I started with 50# figi live rock and some local "sand" from a beach on a nearby island, It appears to be crushed granite (an average size of 1/8 inch), but does have some fines in there too.
I wanted to kick off the cycle process a little faster by adding some of the local rock crabs (about 40) to the tank. They range in size from 1/2" to 1 1/4". These little guys are tough! They will be released when cycling is complete and I will introduce the first tropical critters.
I do realize that my process may be a little uncoventional to most, but I have access to marine life right out my front door, so what the heck, I like to experiment!
I have successfully maintained a 12g aquapod for 6 months now using the same technique. This tank does not have a skimmer ( at least not like the vortex/bubbler type I purcheased for the new 72g.
When cycling, the 72 went through a green algae phase starting after only 5 days. Then a smaller red bloom appeared for another 5 days(mostly on the glass though), the red has since dissappeared and the green all but stopped and the water is clear again.
Even though I introduced an early bio load, this seems too early to consider stocking with the tropical life that I want. I kind of feel like I am going to get gnawed on by some of the true experts here but then again I do like to hear the wisdom.
Since the blooms seem to have subsided, there is a certain amount of floating green scum on the surface. Is this the time to turn on the skimmer? If so, how often and how long.
