Hi from UK help needed with first nano tank

[TOM-779]

Hi all
I am just about to set up my first nano reef tank.
After some research I decided on a Fluval Evo 13.5 . My aim is to keep a pair of clowns and soft coral.

However, I have some questions regarding cycling/methods.
I intend to use Natural Sea Water (NSW) brought from my local Fish Store. Live sand, and Indonesian Live rock.

Do I still need to add a bacteria Starter. I was going to use Dr Tims one and only and ammonia liquid. Or would there already be sufficient bacteria present in the NSW, Live sand and live rock to aid cycling without adding a bacteria starter product.

Also, I am worried that by adding Dr Tims Ammonia product which require a large dosage straight off may have a negative impact on the
Newly introduced Indonesian live rock, if its existing bacteria population is recovering from import and transportation to my tank.
Given the cost of the live rock I want to prevent any errors.

I have had kept many tropical freshwater tanks in the past but this will be my first saltwater setup. Although I have been researching for over 2years prior I am still very nervous - but at the same time vey excited!

I hope you can help me
Many thanks

Tom

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Welcome to your new home for saltwater reef aquarium resources and fun! Welcome to the family! :D

 

[Fish Fan]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

If you use real, wet live rock, there's no need for additional bacteria-in-a-bottle products

Good luck!

 

[kevgib67]

Welcome Tom, glad you are here! Using live rock you can have an instant cycle but stock slow and monitor ammonia.

 

[kingranch2003]

Agreed with the above post. Good investment on the live rock and NSW. Welcome my friend.

 

[TOM-779]

Hi all
I am just about to set up my first nano reef tank.
After some research I decided on a Fluval Evo 13.5 . My aim is to keep a pair of clowns and soft coral.

However, I have some questions regarding cycling/methods.
I intend to use Natural Sea Water (NSW) brought from my local Fish Store. Live sand, and Indonesian Live rock.

Do I still need to add a bacteria Starter. I was going to use Dr Tims one and only and ammonia liquid. Or would there already be sufficient bacteria present in the NSW, Live sand and live rock to aid cycling without adding a bacteria starter product.

Also, I am worried that by adding Dr Tims Ammonia product which require a large dosage straight off may have a negative impact on the
Newly introduced Indonesian live rock, if its existing bacteria population is recovering from import and transportation to my tank.
Given the cost of the live rock I want to prevent any errors.

I have had kept many tropical freshwater tanks in the past but this will be my first saltwater setup. Although I have been researching for over 2years prior I am still very nervous - but at the same time vey excited!

I hope you can help me
Many thanks

Tom

Hi Many Thanks
I am looking forward to learning from you all

 

[vetteguy53081]

 

[Sam7]

Welcome

 

[TOM-779]

Welcome Tom, glad you are here! Using live rock you can have an instant cycle but stock slow and monitor ammonia.

Hey thank you for warm welcome
I was worried about using the NSW as its pumped off UK-Dorset coastline by water company . Apparently used by Zoos and hobbyists here in UK. But I was concerned about pollution and also whether micro-organisms (bacteria) in the water would die off when taken from cold North Sea and introduced to high tank temperature of reef tank.

 

[CoralB]

Welcome !!

 

[EnterName]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!
Adding an ammonia and a phosphate source if the live rock and sand aren't providing enough is a good idea. Bottled bacteria however are a bit controversial as there are some valid concerns if the bacteria that actually participate in the nitrogen cycle in reef tanks would survive being bottled.

 

[TOM-779]

Thats great thank you Entername. Maybe I'll get some ammonia source such as Dr TIMS liquid Ammonium if needed

 

[Reef Jedi]

Welcome to Reef2Reef, the greatest community out of water!

 

[TOM-779]

At least to monitor the progress of the bacteria present and growth early on - as well as testing to see where key water chemistry parameters are.

 

[Peace River]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!!

 

[TOM-779]

I am in no rush and actually enjoy even all the early setup, monitoring stages. In fact, instead of rushing I have taken nearly 2 years researching reading all the posts on Reef2 Reef before joining. I have to admit I have enjoyed every moment learning something new everyday from the posts you all regularly post - so Thanks

 

[TOM-779]

I am on UK time - so I look forward to checking in on messages tomorrow

Thank you all for warm welcome and advice

 

[TJ42]

Welcome!! I started using live rock aquacultured in the ocean as well. I cycled my tank first with some cheaper base rock (was baking in bottled type bacteria for a few months), aragonite coarse sand, and some ammonia (I think it was Dr. Tims too) to get it started cycling. I threw in some pellet fish food and some flakes here and there. After it started cycling I put in some Copepods. I then had my rock delivered and kept adding pods for a while. The live rock is a living organism (and has a lot on it) itself especially getting it from the ocean so it is best to have the tank ready for it just like you would a fish. I am not saying this is the gospel way to do it, this is just how I did it. I was trying not to hurry too.

 

[TOM-779]

Thank you TJ42. And to all who replied I will update on my progress soon

 

[The Ugly Phase]

where you buying indo liverock in the UK?