Cycle Question...

[fredro]

ok so i had a 12g nanocube OG retro running for a year or so, i got gifted from my good friend "fluidimagery" a 46 bow with stand and FULL setup for FREE. I bought 15lbs of live sand from the LFS and added about 5 or so from my old nanocube that was still running at the time. I then took about 8lbs of live rock from the nano and added it. Once again i was given 15lbs of live rock from my good buddy that had been in his tank for quite some time. I anticipated a cycle of course, but how much of a cycle? what would be considered a normal ammonia spike during a normal cycle, i know, normal is never specific. any opinions would be helpful, PS i have a protien skimmer running 10hrs a day and 36" PC lighting running 10hrs a day.
Thanks!

 

[Harif87]

Depends on the bioload you put in your tank. The more you add the heavier the bioload and the more ammonia/nitriates your going to see. If you take it easy and add things real slow then you shouldnt have too much of an ammonia spike. I would also consider getting more LR to help you out with the situation. Bacteria and other organisms can only colonize a piece of rock so much. Try getting around ~ 1 lb per gallon (depending on the rock) should help you out with the ammo. Keep in mind that your going to have nitrate readings from the start so keep tabs on those too.

 

[fredro]

i fully intend on gettin more LR abot 50lbs more, as my budget lets me, prob next week or 2

 

[masterswimmer]

Good move on the addition of more LR. The issue with adding more LR over time is that you might experience additional 'mini' cycles when you add it.

Also, why are you only running your skimmer for 10 hrs? I leave mine on 24/7, even during the cycle.

swimmer

 

[Will]

I would also think any cycle at all would be very small especially if the live rock you put in the tank wasn't out of the water very long. Just add things to the tank slowly.And you would get a small spike from adding any new live rock as well as corals.

 

[fredro]

the skimmer runs 10hrs because the tank is next to my bed and a protien skimmer doesn't help me sleep...

 

[masterswimmer]

fredro, don't tell me you sleep the other 14 hrs :bigeyes:

swimmer

 

[tomzpc]

I wouldn't expect that there would be any cycle at all if all of the rock that you added was cured to begin with. You can set up a tank with 100% newly mixed saltwater and cured live rock and the tank will likely experience no cycle at all, that is unless the cured rock was in a shipping box for a day or two with significant die-off.

I wish I got that much sleep! :p

 

[Henrye]

I wish I got that much sleep! :p

I just wish I could sleep:irked:

Henry