Cycle question

[evik]

I'm upgrading from 29g to 90g. I set up the tank with some new cured rock and I'm adding the water from my old aquarium (every few days I'm doing "water changes" ) to add the good bacteria to help cycle the new tank faster.
I'm puzzled if by doing that I'm helping to speed up or prolonging the cycle

. Anybody any ideas

?

 

[tunicata]

are you doing your parameter checks? quarantine stage for the new stuff?
From my experience, I used rocks, ~10g of water, and live sand from established reefs. My parameters were fine in 3wks. Added zoo's, candy cane, frogspawn, 1 wk later and they are still in my tank 5mos later.
I don't know how if my parameters would have been any different if I had not used those things, but...I figure it was the use of established material.

From what I've heard, many folks have found that using water/solutions with the right bacteria can speed up the cycling process.
I see it as using that 'cycle' stuff for a freshwater tank or any of that bacteria in a bottle stuff made for saltwater tanks.

 

[evik]

Thank you tunicata, would you know which water/solutions with the right bacteria?

 

[masterswimmer]

The BEST thing to add to your system is patience. Allow your tank to cycle naturally and mature over time. Natural reefs took their time (millions of years). Waiting three or four weeks is the best recommendation.

swimmer

 

[evik]

The BEST thing to add to your system is patience.

You are totally RIGHT . Thank you .

 

[basiab]

It definitley will shorten the cycle but still it is a cycle and you have to watch it to verify that it is done. And even then it will not be the same as an established tank so you still have to go slow when adding things.

 

[JLAudio]

In the past when moving or upgrading I was able to use 75% new water, mostly new sand (probably 20lbs. of old, and 100 new) and a full stock of Live rock (150 lbs. in my case from previous tank) and was able to avoid a cycle and tested every cpl days

 

[Kaloy]

:Lurking:

 

[fernandokng]

I was looking to cure some marco rocks in a bin, and once it's been fully cured (ammonia and nitrites are 0), then throw these rocks into a main display tank. How will this impact the parameters of the main display tank? Does it go through a new cycling process? Or because it has been fully cured, it does not make an impact?

 

[masterswimmer]

I was looking to cure some marco rocks in a bin, and once it's been fully cured (ammonia and nitrites are 0), then throw these rocks into a main display tank. How will this impact the parameters of the main display tank? Does it go through a new cycling process? Or because it has been fully cured, it does not make an impact?

If you've cured it completely and the ammonia and nitrites are down to zero and your nitrates are at an acceptable low level (below about .2) then you should be good to go.

swimmer

 

[fernandokng]

thnks.

 

[jhart]

Exactlly what masterswimmer says,if your ammonia levels and nitrites are zero, keep up with your regular water changes, I do 10 percent a week to renew all trace elements, on a weekly basis.. 90 gallon tank plus sump i do 7-10 gallons a week dont forget thats your most important chore..water changes... you can add soft corals and some lps's.. asap. no sps untill you see quater size purpline alage, or better yet untill ur alk is stabilized and calcium is 400-500 ppm good luck..

 

[evik]

Thanks jhart, that's a news to me I can't add SPs until there is coralline on rocks. This is my first upgrade. In my case I'm cycling 90 gal with about 30 lbs of cured new rock. When it will be done I want to add about 60-70 lbs of rocks with corals from my 29 gal 2 year old aquarium. I have mostly soft and LPs attached to the rocks, I read about to add it slowly to new aquarium, don't know why or what to watch for, but will do it.

Question - I just bought few frags of Aussie Acans, I know wasn't smart now, but couldn't resist. They will be like 2-3 weeks in my established aquarium before transfer, do you think they will be OK. They are very precious, my favorite corals, I worry now :scratch:.

 

[evik]

Anyone can help with the transfer question, I think will need it soon. How delicate, sensitive are Aussie Acans to transfer?

 

[evik]

Pleaseeeeeeeeeeee :help:

 

[KathyC]

As long as both tanks are FINISHED cycling and the rock is alive - it shouldn't be any problem at all. If the parameters are slightly different..you may want to acclimate them to the new tank water.

 

[evik]

Thank you Kathy, I just don't understand what do you mean "if the rock is alive". I have rock with corals on it from my established tank and I'm cycling the new tank with cured live rock, but I guess it's not alive since nothing is growing on it yet. Maybe it's not just understanding English on my part :splitspin

 

[masterswimmer]

Live rock refers to the bacteria colonies (good bacteria) established on the rock. When the system can break down waste products without causing ammonia spikes, then your system is considered cycled.

As long as you're starting your new tank with established and cured rock from your current system, then the cycle shouldn't be too severe (if at all). If you're adding additional rock, then your system will most likely take some time for the biological colonies to grow, equalize and go through their cycle.

Once your tank is done cycling (no more spikes in ammonia, nitrites and nitrates), then just acclimate the acans the way you'd normally acclimate them after purchasing them.

HTH,
Russ

 

[evik]

Thank you :wink1: now it's clearer.

 

[masterswimmer]

Thank you :wink1: now it's clearer.

You're very welcome........

Russ