First Tank in a long time...

[devosupremo]

I’m in the process of cleaning up a used aquarium and equipment. Looking forward to getting it going. I’ve got 3 kids, (ages 2,4, and 13), and while this is kind of my hobby, they are SO excited to see it get going. Cycling will be a practice of patience for all of us!

Here’s the equipment I’m running:
- 36 gallon bow front
- 2 AI Prime 16HD lights
- 10 gallon sump
- Klir DI-4 filter
- Tunze Comline DOC Skimmer 9004
- Hygger Return Pump with controller
- Hygger Digital Quartz Aquarium Heater

Hoping to begin a cycle next week. Thinking of live sand, dry rock, and adding ammonium chloride. Here are some of my questions as I’m just getting going.

- Will live sand carry enough bacteria to seed the tank, or should I add something like Microbacter 7?
- Do I run klir filter and protein skimmer during the cycle? What about lights?
- I’m sure there‘ll be more...hang in there with me!

 

[CMMorgan]

Welcome to the fishy family!!!

Beautiful place to live, Chapel Hill! Stay warm.
Your sand should do you just fine.
keep testing and be patient... it's a marathon, not a race... but victory is glorious!!
Can't wait to hear what your kids name the fish.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Sounds like a good plan! What are your livestock plans?

 

[mdb_talon]

Welcome!

Personally i would go dry sand(well rinsed). Never thought bagged live sand really works out well. Would rather add bottled bacteria than that sand.

 

[ScottR]

Welcome to REEF2REEF!!!

 

[devosupremo]

Sounds like a good plan! What are your livestock plans?

We‘re gonna start with some clownfish, then possibly a fire fish, and a few pajama cardinals.

 

[devosupremo]

Welcome to the fishy family!!!

Beautiful place to live, Chapel Hill! Stay warm.
Your sand should do you just fine.
keep testing and be patient... it's a marathon, not a race... but victory is glorious!!
Can't wait to hear what your kids name the fish.

Thanks! It’s actually Chapel Hill, Tennessee...I probably need to adjust that!

 

[devosupremo]

Welcome!

Personally i would go dry sand(well rinsed). Never thought bagged live sand really works out well. Would rather add bottled bacteria than that sand.

I’ve been debating that in my mind. I may change my plans there. Have you had a bad experience with live sand”

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Welcome!

Personally i would go dry sand(well rinsed). Never thought bagged live sand really works out well. Would rather add bottled bacteria than that sand.

This ^

 

[devosupremo]

Has anyone had any experience with the “dry \ live rock”? That has the spored bacteria that activates in water...just curious about your thoughts.

 

[rubertoe93]

Welcome!
you could always add a bottle of atm colony in, that will speed the process up!

 

[Weasel1960]

Welcome to R2R. Good luck with your build, will be watching your progress.

 

[devosupremo]

Do you all think I need to include some carbon as a means of chemical filtration, or will protein skimmer do the trick?