Questions for starting a new tank

[jrloyd]

I have been running an IM 40g AIO mixed reef for a couple of years and it has been relatively stable. I took the plunge and bought a UNS R120. My current equipment is 2 ATI straton x lights, reef octo 150 skimmer, icecap uv, bashsea media reactor, redsea roller matt, 2 Tunze orcas, 2 300w heaters, hydros launch, xp8, and blenny. Only Marco dry rock.

I’m about to fill it with water and I’m curious if I should just do the add live bacteria and ammonia to cycle it which worked great or get some nice livestock to put in the sump?

Also, should I remove the reef matt, uv light, and protein skimmer while it’s cycling? I plan to run the tank without any livestock for at least a month before I add anything. I could add a couple small pieces of live rock from my current tank if I wanted to. Thank you for any help and suggestions.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I did Dr. Tim's one and only method for cycling my tank and didn't have any issues with it.

I wouldn't run your skimmer or anything while you are initially cycling. There's going to be nothing to filter out at the start, haha

 

[Fish Fan]

Starting your tank with some to all live rock would be the way I'd suggest going. If you've already purchased your Marco dry rock, consider adding at least a little bit of live rock to your display and/or your sump. Most feel that by using live rock you can avoid much of the "ugly phase" often seen in new tanks, and if you have live rock on hand and it's pest free, I'd definitely use that. If you add some live rock to your system, you shouldn't need any additional bacteria-in-a-bottle products, just let the bacteria you have grow.

I hope this helps and good luck with your new build!

 

[jrloyd]

Starting your tank with some to all live rock would be the way I'd suggest going. If you've already purchased your Marco dry rock, consider adding at least a little bit of live rock to your display and/or your sump. Most feel that by using live rock you can avoid much of the "ugly phase" often seen in new tanks, and if you have live rock on hand and it's pest free, I'd definitely use that. If you add some live rock to your system, you shouldn't need any additional bacteria-in-a-bottle products, just let the bacteria you have grow.

I hope this helps and good luck with your new build!

Thank you. I was thinking of ordering some live rock from I think it was called Tampa live rock or something like that.

 

[PPBlimpy]

I would do both. Live rock in the sump, bacteria and ammonia, no skimmer, reef mat, lights or uv for the first couple weeks of the cycle.

Rock from current tank is a great idea!

Skimmer and reef mat once you get a couple fish in there, uv I wouldn’t start for a couple months, lights once cycle is complete pop them on low setting for a couple hours a day and work up.

With a light bio load the reef mat and skimmer can strip the system.

Slow and steady.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Thank you. I was thinking of ordering some live rock from I think it was called Tampa live rock or something like that.

Highly recommend TBS Live Rock. That's how I cycled my pico tank, and it is worth every bit of money. The biodiversity it adds to your tank is unbeatable in my book.

 

[Fish Fan]

Thank you. I was thinking of ordering some live rock from I think it was called Tampa live rock or something like that.

Highly recommend TBS Live Rock. That's how I cycled my pico tank, and it is worth every bit of money. The biodiversity it adds to your tank is unbeatable in my book.

I agree with this 100%, the rock and/or sand from TBS is a fantastic way to start a tank!

If you just want a little bit to "seed" your tank, check out their "Treasure Chest" packages. These are small amounts of rock and/or sand that ships by UPS and comes right to your door (vs. going to the airport to pick it up):
https://tbsaltwater.com/collections/treasure-chests

 

[mfinn]

I would do both. Live rock and a bacteria product.

 

[jrloyd]

I would do both. Live rock in the sump, bacteria and ammonia, no skimmer, reef mat, lights or uv for the first couple weeks of the cycle.

Rock from current tank is a great idea!

Skimmer and reef mat once you get a couple fish in there, uv I wouldn’t start for a couple months, lights once cycle is complete pop them on low setting for a couple hours a day and work up.

With a light bio load the reef mat and skimmer can strip the system.

Slow and steady.

Thank you. This is very helpful.