Dry/live rock Cycle Time

Ok so I finally got my 125g up an running. I put in about 120lbs of base rock. I then put in about 20 lbs of live rock. I bought a few pieces from a LFS and took some out of my current 75g tank. I also took a few cupfulls of live sand out of my current 75g tank and added it to the dead sand I put in the 125g.

This tank has 2 1.5" overflows and 3 return lines (.75) I running a sequence pump for the return from my 60g sump/fuge. I also have a deep sand bed in my fuge and a few pieces of live rock in the fuge.

I mixed my salt water up and pumped it into the tank, it's been running for about 3 days. I added a piece of shrimp to it the first day and yesterday a purple firefish I had died, so he is now rotting in my new 125.

I know every tank is diffent but Im curious how long it will take for this sucker to cycle. Do I really need to run my lights to get a proper cycle? This tank will have four icecap pendants in it. 250w xm15k de halides

 

You shouldnt have to have your lights on to cycle your tank. I turn mine on when I get home just to look at the tank, but it shouldn't be needed. The cycle could take anywhere between 2 and 6 weeks to complete. The best thing to do IMO is get a test kit and test it a couple times a week, or take it to your LFS and have them test it. They can help you along the process and tell you when your cycle is complete.

Hope this helps

 

IMO...I'd say 10 weeks Plus...but like was mentioned before...nut'ns the same from tank to tank...tast regular is good advice. get a yellow taied damsel in there at about 4 weeks...but then you got the rotting thing going on...and I think they do the same thing...just helps the bio get going.
My 2 cents.

LG

 

I already have every test kit. I didn't feel the need to kill a damsel so when I saw one of my firefish died it was perfect timing to get some bacteria brewing.

I just figured I will keep an eye on the tank see what it's doing and test my basic params after a few weeks and see where we are at. Once some algae starts growing Ill throw some hermit's and some turbo snails in there. Im pretty sure im doing the process right.

I didn't want to drop the $$$ for that much live rock so opted for the base and live combo. Also next time I do a water change out of my 75 im gonna dump it into the 125.