Hi there!
My Fluval Evo 13.5 experienced a crash last summer following many issues and so I decided to shut it down. After some thought, I've decided to restart it by removing everything, cleaning it out, and setting it up again. However, this time I've decided to use dry rock and live sand to setup and cycle the tank as some of the issues I experienced were attributed to the live rock I used. Since this is my first time cycling a tank with dry rock, I want to make sure I'm doing everything right. This is my plan.
I've ordered about 15 lbs of Two Little Fishies Stax Rock to use. Out of all the options available, I like the look of this dry rock the best and I think I could come up with an interesting aquascape. I bought about 10 lbs of CaribSea Arag-Alive Special Grade Reef Sand to use. I will be using RO/DI water again and plan on using Fritz Aquatics FritzZyme TubroStart 900 Saltwater as a source of nitrifying bacteria and DrTims Ammonium Chloride Solution for Fishless Cycle as a source of ammonia. Other than that, I plan on monitoring the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels until the tank has cycled.
I'd appreciate any tips and advice!
My Fluval Evo 13.5 experienced a crash last summer following many issues and so I decided to shut it down. After some thought, I've decided to restart it by removing everything, cleaning it out, and setting it up again. However, this time I've decided to use dry rock and live sand to setup and cycle the tank as some of the issues I experienced were attributed to the live rock I used. Since this is my first time cycling a tank with dry rock, I want to make sure I'm doing everything right. This is my plan.
I've ordered about 15 lbs of Two Little Fishies Stax Rock to use. Out of all the options available, I like the look of this dry rock the best and I think I could come up with an interesting aquascape. I bought about 10 lbs of CaribSea Arag-Alive Special Grade Reef Sand to use. I will be using RO/DI water again and plan on using Fritz Aquatics FritzZyme TubroStart 900 Saltwater as a source of nitrifying bacteria and DrTims Ammonium Chloride Solution for Fishless Cycle as a source of ammonia. Other than that, I plan on monitoring the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels until the tank has cycled.
I'd appreciate any tips and advice!