Starting New Tank Cycle In Brute Can

[SigmaVX]

I’ve been running a nano freshwater for years and moved over to salt in the nano about a year ago. Corals are doing well for the most part but it is a harder tank to maintain given the small 9 gallon size.

I’m upgrading to a 32 gallon but the stand seems to be delayed. I was hoping to jump start the cycle process by adding my rock and micro-bacter start solution with the lid on and flow on. Note that when the stand is in I plan to take some of my current live rock to add to the dry rock

Any advice on setting this up and should I give the can an opportunity to breath with the lid off at times? Is ammonia or other additions really needed?

lastly is it ok to add a purple helix during the cure to start seeding the coralline? Assume I need some light for that.

thx

 

[Peace River]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!!!

 

[Fred2482]

Welcome! I like this idea to start curing your rock. I wouldn't add purple helix yet.

 

[PeterC99]

Welcome to R2R!

Good luck with the 32g!

 

[PeterC99]

Welcome to R2R!

Good luck with the 32g!

 

[G Santana]

Welcome to R2R, good luck with your build

 

[RobB'z Reef]

I’ve been running a nano freshwater for years and moved over to salt in the nano about a year ago. Corals are doing well for the most part but it is a harder tank to maintain given the small 9 gallon size.

I’m upgrading to a 32 gallon but the stand seems to be delayed. I was hoping to jump start the cycle process by adding my rock and micro-bacter start solution with the lid on and flow on. Note that when the stand is in I plan to take some of my current live rock to add to the dry rock

Any advice on setting this up and should I give the can an opportunity to breath with the lid off at times? Is ammonia or other additions really needed?

lastly is it ok to add a purple helix during the cure to start seeding the coralline? Assume I need some light for that.

thx

Welcome!

I'd leave the lid off or partially on, I believe in keeping things well oxygenated. Keep a power head pointed towards the surface. You'd need light for sure with the helix and not sure based on how much rock you have if it would all get the exposure you need. Also no need to start fighting algae while you're cycling. If it were me if wait to add it when the rock was in the tank for good. There's already mixed reviews on whether or not that stuff is truly effective. Throw a heater in there if you have one and keep things between 78-82 degrees. Good luck on your start up!

 

[Azedenkae]

I was hoping to jump start the cycle process by adding my rock and micro-bacter start solution with the lid on and flow on. Note that when the stand is in I plan to take some of my current live rock to add to the dry rock

Any advice on setting this up and should I give the can an opportunity to breath with the lid off at times? Is ammonia or other additions really needed?

Hi there! I do think it should work, though you'd probably want a powerhead in there for circulation. And yes, you would need ammonia for the cycling process, like you'd cycle a tank. A heater would help as well, with letting the microbes grow as fast as possible.

lastly is it ok to add a purple helix during the cure to start seeding the coralline? Assume I need some light for that.

I reckon that can be left for later, yeah you'd need light for that.

 

[BaysEndReef]

Welcome to R2R!! Always here to help!!

 

[DDenny]

 

[tbrown]

I’ve been running a nano freshwater for years and moved over to salt in the nano about a year ago. Corals are doing well for the most part but it is a harder tank to maintain given the small 9 gallon size.

I’m upgrading to a 32 gallon but the stand seems to be delayed. I was hoping to jump start the cycle process by adding my rock and micro-bacter start solution with the lid on and flow on. Note that when the stand is in I plan to take some of my current live rock to add to the dry rock

Any advice on setting this up and should I give the can an opportunity to breath with the lid off at times? Is ammonia or other additions really needed?

lastly is it ok to add a purple helix during the cure to start seeding the coralline? Assume I need some light for that.

thx

Welcome! No experience with brute cans, but I've heard that you have to let them breathe.

 

[MERKEY]

Hello and welcome to R2R!

 

[zalick]

Done this myself many times. Reefers have been “curing” live rock like this for a LONG time.
My personal process is to fill the brute with saltwater and your rocks. If you are starting with dry rock, I recommend putting a scoop of your sand or a small piece of live rock in there too. That will have enough bacteria to populate everything. Then a pump and heater. Keep the lid partially off to allow gas exchange. I feed a little flake food every couple days. And water change a bit every couple weeks.
The rocks will definitely “cycle” and you can startup a large tank immediately.

welcome!

 

[Jeffcb]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

 

[|Frank|]

Welcome to the forum!!

 

[fuelman]

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[Jimbhoy13]

Welcome to R2R and the salty world. Lots of knowledgeable and helpful people here who will support and advise you when needed.

 

[KJ]

Welcome to R2R!!!

 

[Manny’s Reef]

Welcome. Thanks for joining. You'll like it here.

 

[BeltedCoyote]

Welcome to R2R!!!