Hi, just wanted to say a bit about my setup

Hi, I've only posted here a couple other times when I was working out the logistics of tank setup but I have read a lot here and learned a lot from the folks at 3reef.

I now have my tank setup it's only been going for about 2 weeks with live rock in it, and it was going for about a week before getting LR. Here is a picture of it when I set it up after bringing the LR home. I've since rearranged the rockwork and will have to get an updated pic here soon.


I got a really good deal on the LR at the LFS. Some dude just tore down a tank that had been going for a couple of years and traded in his rock about 2 hours before I showed up and bought it all ;D

The rock is absolutely full of life and it's been in there for a couple weeks now and I've been testing and haven't really noticed any nitrates at all. I was wondering if since the rock is so well established will I even go through a cycle? Should I just be more patient and expect it to hit soon?

 

Some of the corals that came on the LR


Bonus freebies that were attached to the LR, there's also a substantial colony of mushrooms, a few colors, I don't have pics of those right now. But everything's doing great.

 

Well if it was established as you describe, you might now experience a cycle, or a little one at most. I used pre-cured lr when I started and only saw a very little nitrites, never saw any ammonia. If its been in there for a couple of weeks and your parameters are still good, then you may be ready to go. However, take it slowly. The bacteria population is probably small and adding too many fish, corals or inverts at one time will cause another cycle. Good luck

 

Did use anything to kickstart the ammonia?

 

Nice rock and added benefit with the octocorals attached to the rock. You would be surprised at what you have on your rock that you are not able to see with the naked eye.
Good luck!

 

Do you plan on adding sand? Nice tank, I really like the aquascaping job you've done. Always nice to have hitchhickers like that, added bonus. Great job AZ

 

great aquascaping job. also like the idea with pvc to keep rock off bottom. But wondering like fishoholic why no sand?

 

jeremy_a: no, I didn't use anything special to kickstart the ammonia, but there are critters living in there, lots of worms, and some hermit crabs and various other little things

fishoholic & 10acrewoods: I plan to put sand in very soon, I just haven't had the chance to pick some up yet. All the sand I bought when I bought the LR is in the fuge

 

Looks good, how many gals is it? We need more info, pics of EVERYTHING......lol Luna

 

Looks great....