New tank cycling options

[mginster]

I am resetting my 120. I have tons of dead rock I’ve cleaned and is ready to go, dry sand this time.

I bought brightwells micro Baxter dry rock cycle kit, and turbo start. No sure on order or if I should even use both.

My thoughts on order:

-Add dry sand, dry rock, water.
-Go through a week of the brightwell instructions
-If cycled or near it, add very established live rock I plan to buy.
-Add turbo start now.
-Add sacrificial fish if parameters are right.

 

[dstockwell]

Not crazy about the idea of sacrificial fish. I used dry rock and starter, then added some live rock but still waited 8 weeks for fish.

Welcome to the Reef

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

PLEASE don't torture a fish!!!! Absolutely NO NEED for this in this day and age!

If you're already planning to add live rock, why not do that first?

 

[CoralB]

Dead shrimp from the grocery store has worked for years

 

[mginster]

I will forgoe the fish route. Sacrificial was a bad word, I will ensure it’s cycled before any livestock.

do I even need to bother with any cycle items if I go with established rock?

the store I got these from did mention they occasionally even add turbo start to established tanks to boost bacteria. May still use that and the clean product in the brightwell to keep algae blooms to a minimum if any.

 

[dstockwell]

It can still help depending on how much live rock vs dead, can’t hurt.

 

[mginster]

I guess I’m asking will the brightwell hurt the established rock at all? Intentionally spiking ammonia etc.