Bare bottom cycle. First reef tank

Snowball44

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Setting up my first reef after 7 years of freshwater keeping. I do have a 1000 litre fresh water that I'm hoping to convert in the long run with another 200 litre to set up next. The first I'm setting up is a nano which has been up nearly 2 months with still high nitrate 80+. Fishless cycle bare bottom while ghost feeding. I'm doing two 50% water changes a week. I know bare bottom takes longer, how long can I expect? am I changing to much?
 

Peace River

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Welcome to Reef2Reef!!!

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P-Dub

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Welcome! Bare bottoms take longer to mature but are more stable in the long run IMHO. I cycled good and long at just under 4 months. Probably not necessary but my method has always worked for me and never had the uglies. I cure my rock in totes before going in the tank though.
Change too much? How much change can you handle? That is the real question. Keep us posted and acquire an immense amount of patience and you'll do fine.
 

lapin

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Setting up my first reef after 7 years of freshwater keeping. I do have a 1000 litre fresh water that I'm hoping to convert in the long run with another 200 litre to set up next. The first I'm setting up is a nano which has been up nearly 2 months with still high nitrate 80+. Fishless cycle bare bottom while ghost feeding. I'm doing two 50% water changes a week. I know bare bottom takes longer, how long can I expect? am I changing to much?
Do you have a lot of rock or a bare min?
The more rock the quicker the cycle as there is more surface for bacteria to live on.
If you keep feeding the nitrate will stay high.
What sort of external filtration do you have?
 

G Santana

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I recently cycled my 130 gallon bare bottom, I put in two bottles of Fritzyme 900 and two 3 plus inch tangs the same day and presto, no amonia, tank cycled, no waiting.
I had never started a tank like that but it works.
5 months in, no fish loss. You will experience all the cycle Ugly issues but the tank will be able to sustain life immediately.
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dwair

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Setting up my first reef after 7 years of freshwater keeping. I do have a 1000 litre fresh water that I'm hoping to convert in the long run with another 200 litre to set up next. The first I'm setting up is a nano which has been up nearly 2 months with still high nitrate 80+. Fishless cycle bare bottom while ghost feeding. I'm doing two 50% water changes a week. I know bare bottom takes longer, how long can I expect? am I changing to much?
Welcome to R2R! You certaintely are jumping in the deep end! Bare bottom takes ALOT longer. I would estimate at least 8months -1 year before you are really established. Make sure you have the patience for this! But don't give up if thats what you want!

Hope you enjoy reefing!
 

tbrown

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Setting up my first reef after 7 years of freshwater keeping. I do have a 1000 litre fresh water that I'm hoping to convert in the long run with another 200 litre to set up next. The first I'm setting up is a nano which has been up nearly 2 months with still high nitrate 80+. Fishless cycle bare bottom while ghost feeding. I'm doing two 50% water changes a week. I know bare bottom takes longer, how long can I expect? am I changing to much?
Welcome to Reef2Reef! Do you have a decent amount of rock in the tank? Bacteria has a harder time populating on glass. More porous materials are definitely needed and the more porous surface you have available the more bacteria has room to grow and spread.
 

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