quick question about first cycle (led biocube 32 gal)

Grimreefer89 · Dec 16, 2019

First things first, hello and a big thank you. I have learned what little i know from reading and lurking in the depths of R2R for the past 2 months or so. i finally decided to sign up (figured i might as well im going to need advice).

My question is for my first cycle do i need to add any other type of filtration to my tank or will live sand, Dr. Tims one and only and original coral life filter work for the first cycle? thanks in advance!

Quietman · Dec 16, 2019

Welcome!!!

You'll also need to "feed" the bacteria with an ammonia source. Some use a dead shrimp others dose ammonia (Dr Tim also has ammonia). Sand alone is fine but be aware when you add rock separately after cycle, you could have a mini cycle if the rock is not clean.

Grimreefer89 · Dec 17, 2019

Quietman said:
Welcome!!!

You'll also need to "feed" the bacteria with an ammonia source. Some use a dead shrimp others dose ammonia (Dr Tim also has ammonia). Sand alone is fine but be aware when you add rock separately after cycle, you could have a mini cycle if the rock is not clean.

I will have my base rock in for the first cycle i should of mentioned that. i dont plan to put any live rock in, ill just let my base rock turn live. I will get dr tims ammonia. Thanks but as far as the filter goes i should be good with the stock one and maybe some floss?

Quietman · Dec 17, 2019

Grimreefer89 said:
I will have my base rock in for the first cycle i should of mentioned that. i dont plan to put any live rock in, ill just let my base rock turn live. I will get dr tims ammonia. Thanks but as far as the filter goes i should be good with the stock one and maybe some floss?

You really don't need any mechanical filtration during the cycle. I didn't start any sponges or floss until I had fish. Didn't use charcoal either and my skimmer was either off or breaking in. Just heaters and flow. I also use a blackout for the first few weeks to prevent algae. No lights and covered tank in brown paper. I don't add light until I get nutrients back down post cycle with water changes.

New&no clue · Dec 17, 2019

Quietman said:
You really don't need any mechanical filtration during the cycle. I didn't start any sponges or floss until I had fish. Didn't use charcoal either and my skimmer was either off or breaking in. Just heaters and flow. I also use a blackout for the first few weeks to prevent algae. No lights and covered tank in brown paper. I don't add light until I get nutrients back down post cycle with water changes.

+1

I didn't use any filters for my cycle until I added my CUC in. I also didn't do a water change or anything. I had live rock, live sand, and I just set it go for 3 weeks, then I added 10 snails and 10 crabs, waited another week to see how those were doing and then added a shrimp. After that I did a big water change, added filters and fish.