New cycle

[In the Haus]

I feel like this question has been asked and answered about a thousand times, but here it goes... I have a Fluval EVO 13.5, I currently have about 10 lbs. of dry rock. I am going to use Caribsea Arag-Alive live sand for substrate, and add an additional piece of actual live rock from my LFS. I am looking into doing Dr. Tim's fishless cycle, but I have also read that if I have true live rock and live sand, then the cycle is already complete. Do I need to add any bacteria, or do I skip that step and just move on to adding ammonia? Do I even need to add ammonia, or is the tanks already cycled with the live rock and live sand, and would it be safe to just add a clown for an ammonia source?

 

[Freenow54]

I feel like this question has been asked and answered about a thousand times, but here it goes... I have a Fluval EVO 13.5, I currently have about 10 lbs. of dry rock. I am going to use Caribsea Arag-Alive live sand for substrate, and add an additional piece of actual live rock from my LFS. I am looking into doing Dr. Tim's fishless cycle, but I have also read that if I have true live rock and live sand, then the cycle is already complete. Do I need to add any bacteria, or do I skip that step and just move on to adding ammonia? Do I even need to add ammonia, or is the tanks already cycled with the live rock and live sand, and would it be safe to just add a clown for an ammonia source?

I have posted this before but since you want to do fishless cycle I have a published guide by an unknow Author that gives you step by step directions as do videos from Bulk reef supply. If you are interested I will forward. Let me know. Also have a book by a member talking about a reverse gravel filter which I intend to do pretty simple buy his book " The Avant-Garde Marine Aquarist

 

[lapin]

The live sand is prob dead sand. If it has any bacteria it is probably very little. Rinse it well. 1 small live rock out of 10 lbs is not enough bacteria. I would use Fritz turbo 900. Add some ammonia and in a week your cycled

 

[fishywishy]

it depends how much true Live rock you get but there should be little to no cycling and you can put fish in instantly. You can put in some bottled bacteria and ammonia if you want but it’s not needed. The Carib sea live sand barely makes a difference with cycling so if you just use live sand and dry rock you’re still going to have to do a full cycle with dr Tim’s ammonia and bacteria.

 

[In the Haus]

The live sand is prob dead sand. If it has any bacteria it is probably very little. Rinse it well. 1 small live rock out of 10 lbs is not enough bacteria. I would use Fritz turbo 900. Add some ammonia and in a week your cycled

I’m thinking about 5-7 additional lbs of live rock. I’m set on the idea of getting a varied diversity from an established rock. My real concern is adding a fish too early, but if adding true live rock eliminates the waiting to add a fish process, then I’ll add a fish. I’m wondering what the best source of ammonia is based on adding actual live rock. Please don’t take this the wrong way, I understand that patience is key and about 15 years ago I had a 55gal fowlr, so I’m not “new” to salt, but many things have changed.

 

[lapin]

Don’t add fish and ammonia. The ammonia will kill the fish.

 

[In the Haus]

Don’t add fish and ammonia. The ammonia will kill the fish.

I understand that, but should I just do a fish in cycle if I use live rock, or still do fish less?

 

[lapin]

It’s up to you. It’s your tank not mine.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I understand that, but should I just do a fish in cycle if I use live rock, or still do fish less?

assure ammonia is zero for at least 5 days before adding fish and will confirm live rock is helping water quality