cycling tank

[slvlurph]

i got a few questions..i just put 60 pound of cured live rock and live sand in my tank, how long should i let it run without lights? when i turn on the lights how long should i set my timers to run? is there any water additives or anything i should be putting in? how long till i put in a cleaning crew?

 

[Meloco14]

Some people have differing opinons on lighting during the cycle. Personally, I use a short lighting period (5 hours/day or so) to ensure that the calcareous algae and any hitchhiker corals will survive. Some people don't use light because they think it will cause an undesirable algae outbreak. 5hr/day right now would be enough. Once you have the cycle completed you can increase your photoperiod to 8-10 hours/day depending on your lights, inhabitants, and personal viewing preferences. If you have not yet purchased a variety of test kits, now would be the time to do so. It is worth the little extra money to get a quality kit like seachem, salifert, or LaMotte. You will need at the minimum ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. Test these every other day or every few days. You will get readings on all of these during the cycle. When all 3 hit 0, the cycle is complete and you can add a clean up crew. This may take anywhere between 2 weeks to a month or more. Other test kits you should have before stocking your tank should be pH, alkalinity, and calcium. You need to ensure you have a stable pH and proper Ca to Alk ratio before stocking your tank with fish or corals. HTH

 

[slvlurph]

ok thank you!

 

[mr_X]

i have had my saltwater tank setup for almost 3 weeks, i have added 40 pounds of live sand and about 40 or so pounds of live rock. 5 damsels 12 assorted crabs, 12 snails, and one cleaner shrimp. my water tests perfect. am i ready to purchase more expensive fish?