I would like ideas on which media to add to my HOB filter

[Jc0187]

I cant see it being a problem but you can also wait til cycle is done to save a lil money.

Ahh ok. Maybe I'll do that then. Any tips for cycling my tank?

 

[BrettMallette]

Ahh ok. Maybe I'll do that then. Any tips for cycling my tank?

My favorite method is toss in a piece of shrimp to rot and create ammonia then pick up a bottle of nitrifying bacteria like micro bac or seachem stability to add some bacteria to break the ammonia down. Once the ammonia disappears good to start adding fish

 

[moseley75]

You can get some ammonia such as Dr Tim's and add to your tank then add the nitrifying bacteria. With Dr Tim's you only need a small amount of ammonia and the cycle will happen faster. Adding shrimp to rot is a good way but you have to be able to stand the rotten shrimp smell.
Patience is the best tool you have for now.

 

[Lninwa]

You mentioned you are not using much live rock right now. How much live rock or dry rock are you using right now. If you don't want pests from live rock then use dry rock. The cycle will take a little longer but you won't have pests. Idk is exact minimum amount of rock needed but I would say have at least 40 give or take lbs. This rock is your main biological filter. Are you going fish only or reef? Good luck we are here to help. Welcome to this enjoyable but expensive hobby

 

[Jc0187]

My favorite method is toss in a piece of shrimp to rot and create ammonia then pick up a bottle of nitrifying bacteria like micro bac or seachem stability to add some bacteria to break the ammonia down. Once the ammonia disappears good to start adding fish

That's an interesting one.

 

[Jc0187]

You mentioned you are not using much live rock right now. How much live rock or dry rock are you using right now. If you don't want pests from live rock then use dry rock. The cycle will take a little longer but you won't have pests. Idk is exact minimum amount of rock needed but I would say have at least 40 give or take lbs. This rock is your main biological filter. Are you going fish only or reef? Good luck we are here to help. Welcome to this enjoyable but expensive hobby

Hi. Thanks for the reply. Currently I have 30lbs of LR. I know I'll definitely need much more, being as I have a 75 gallon aquarium and all. I believe I'll be happy with a fish only tank with some LR. I would like to get into a reef tank but it just seems too much right now.

 

[Jc0187]

You can get some ammonia such as Dr Tim's and add to your tank then add the nitrifying bacteria. With Dr Tim's you only need a small amount of ammonia and the cycle will happen faster. Adding shrimp to rot is a good way but you have to be able to stand the rotten shrimp smell.
Patience is the best tool you have for now.

Oh yea. I never considered the smell factor of the shrimp. I don't think my wife would like that lol. I'll look into this Dr. Tims.