Returning to Marines after 25yrs

[Malew]

Hi all, not a newbie to fishkeeping having kept all manner of fish since childhood, but feel exactly like a newbie with all the advancements to reef keeping after 25yrs ! A few maybe stupid questions if I may .............

I live on an offshore UK island with no local supplier, hence to get livestock will take me 48hrs (only 4hrs for livestock ). My first query is, if due to weather I am unable to get away to the UK, what would be the best way to keep a system cycled if it is in fact ready for the first introduction of livestock , but can't do that ? (UNS R60 reef tank, no sand )

Second query, because I am going bare bottom, and trying to maximise bacterial habitat, is it permissible to put that type of media throughout the sump where it will, fit ? I will have a refugium with the bottom lined with media but can I also put bags in the skimmer chamber and also return pump chamber ? ( prob a stupid question I know).

Thanks best wishes.

 

[Aqua Ultraviolet]

Keep it cycled by dosing ammonia (or a tiny bit of fish food) 1–2× per week and testing regularly. Maintain normal flow, skimming and lights. It’ll stay ready for weeks/months.

 

[Malew]

Thanks !

 

[Aqua Ultraviolet]

Thanks !

Welcome !!

 

[kevgib67]

Welcome back, good luck!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Welcome back!

 

[Fish Fan]

Hi all, not a newbie to fishkeeping having kept all manner of fish since childhood, but feel exactly like a newbie with all the advancements to reef keeping after 25yrs ! A few maybe stupid questions if I may .............

I live on an offshore UK island with no local supplier, hence to get livestock will take me 48hrs (only 4hrs for livestock ). My first query is, if due to weather I am unable to get away to the UK, what would be the best way to keep a system cycled if it is in fact ready for the first introduction of livestock , but can't do that ? (UNS R60 reef tank, no sand )

Second query, because I am going bare bottom, and trying to maximise bacterial habitat, is it permissible to put that type of media throughout the sump where it will, fit ? I will have a refugium with the bottom lined with media but can I also put bags in the skimmer chamber and also return pump chamber ? ( prob a stupid question I know).

Thanks best wishes.

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

I wouldn't worry about all the extra (I assume you mean) bio filtration media in the sump and elsewhere. Even bare bottom, you'll have plenty of bio filtration with just your rock and good flow. Rather than the extra media bags, get some decent circulation pumps to move water around in the tank.

You don't really have to do anything the maintain the bacteria once they populate. You can, as advised above, add a bit of ammonia or even a pinch of fish food every so often, but even if you didn't, the bacteria remain viable and ready to go for a long time, even without being "fed" regularly.

Here's a good guide you may wish to review if you've been away from the hobby for some time. If you have further questions, please ask

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

Good luck!

 

[JumboShrimp]

Wishing you all the best-- have fun!