cycling

i have a 75g fish tank with a glass holes 1500gph overflow with a diy sump/fuge only problem is i dont want to cement my pvc yet because i plan on moving in the future just not real sure when, i have around a 100 pounds of marco rock and and other base rock and around 60 pound of marco sand with a koralia 3 and two other maxi jets which would be temporary for now. My question is i have a thermometer, test kit salt mix and ro/di maker could i possibly start my cycle just filling the water under the overflow, and using all dry stuff could i just use raw shrimp to start my cycle? what would be and advantages or disadvantages to this?

 

IMO

Yes you could run your tank as it is now (closed system) and then bring your fuge into play later

many people have set up tanks and then added sump/ fuge later - which is exactly what your doing in effect

what about skimming I assume the skimmer you had would have been placed in the sump?
( not important right now, while cycling but if the tank is set up for a few months before you move)


Steve

 

i have a coral life 125 in the sump now just wouldnt use it during cycle also what would i need to start the cycle raw shrimp live rock?

 

cycling - there are various options

fishless - using just live rock, allowing it to cure in the tank, die off etc - there is bacteria already on/ in the live rock - lights off, no skimming, and 1st fish added at about week 12

some people using base rock , do use a raw shrimp, from which bacteria develops
levels are checked , when they peak and then drop, 1st fish is added ( not sure on the general time scales utilised in this method)

others use a Damsel fish, which are able to withstand the ammonia/ nitrite peaks
leave that fish in on its own for 12 weeks, then begin slow introduction (every other week) of other inhabitants


Ive just given the basics really - I have always used the YTB option myself so Im a little vague on the alternatives

Steve

 

I understand that you wanna move your tank in the future and thats great... heres a link to a PVC Union that you can place anywhere in your Plimbing system to remove sections of pipe without the use of a saw of any sort and are reasonably priced at your local DIY store... This way you can incorperate your entire system and check for a full system leak...

Steve said it all on the cycling options.. Just one point if you do use Damsel fish pending the typ you use... They get hostile towards other tank mates in time...

Link: Joint Union Slip > PVC Schedule 40 (Dubois Agrinovation)

Keep in mind just my salt encrusted 2 cents...


Best of Luck...

 

I have used the raw fish/shrimp method.. cycles very fast but is very stinky lol

I had a damsel in my tank at first, but it wasnt enough bioload and didnt have enough live rock to bump the cycle. So my findings arent exact.

After about 3 weeks of that.. I tossed in a chunk of raw fish. It took about 3 weeks to cycle the tank after that.

Has been rocking since.

 

thanks everyone very much for the help i will hopefully be starting a new build thread on my 75 real soon