Im going to be starting my new tank up in about 3 days. I have been curing my 200LBS of sand for my DSB for about a week now. It will be going into the tank with the initial water and setup. I was wondering how long i should wait before adding my LR to it that i still have to order? Should i give it some time or just added it all at the same time so that it can all cycle together?
Question on adding LR to new tank
- Thread starter reefNewbie
- Start date
i'm not sure i understand exactly, but what i think he means is he's been lettin' it set in s/w for a bit.
put in the l/r, because ain't no cycling gonna get done without givin' them there benthics something to munch on (i.e. ammonia). you won't develop a colony of ammonia oxidizing bacteria (them's yer benthics) until they have some food (that thar ammonia again). also, please remember that you'll only grow enough bacteria to consume the available "food".
so, once you've put the l/r in the tank, make sure that your cycle has begun by testing first for ammonia, and within a day or three nitrites and nitrates. you won't need to worry about lighting during this period, unless you have l/r that has hermatypic specimens...but then you'd have to consider the fact that most inverts won't tolerate high ammonia/nitrite levels for very long. i just say this because light = $$$ = algal blooms = uck.
also, be sure you've got a quality test kit, mkay? i like seachem (best balance between quality, consistency, and PRICE), but have been spoiled for a little while since we've got an on-site lab.
does this help?
put in the l/r, because ain't no cycling gonna get done without givin' them there benthics something to munch on (i.e. ammonia). you won't develop a colony of ammonia oxidizing bacteria (them's yer benthics) until they have some food (that thar ammonia again). also, please remember that you'll only grow enough bacteria to consume the available "food".
so, once you've put the l/r in the tank, make sure that your cycle has begun by testing first for ammonia, and within a day or three nitrites and nitrates. you won't need to worry about lighting during this period, unless you have l/r that has hermatypic specimens...but then you'd have to consider the fact that most inverts won't tolerate high ammonia/nitrite levels for very long. i just say this because light = $$$ = algal blooms = uck.
also, be sure you've got a quality test kit, mkay? i like seachem (best balance between quality, consistency, and PRICE), but have been spoiled for a little while since we've got an on-site lab.
does this help?
Yes I meant curing in the sense that I have been letting it sit in a 40 gal rubbermaid tub with salt water and some flake food and apple juice (to produce biofilm). I will be adding it shortly to my tank and filling it up with saltwater for the first time. I now know to add the LR just as soon as i get the setup up and running all the way. thanks for your help!
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