New tank, not sure how to cycle.

I have just finished filling my 210 and adding salt. The salt level is presently 1.023. Refugium is up and running fine with the mud in place. Skimmer is in tank but not running. I plan to add live rock (need to purchase) and live sand (100lb of live aragontie which I have) I was wondering what the next step should be.

 

Lots and lots of patience. Do you have a sump? I have found this is the best place for one. Get lots of liverock. Do not rush the cycle with fish. It stresses out even the heartiest of damsels. Now is a good time to figure out what you want to have in your tank and research everything completely. A 210 is hard to deal with if you are trying to take out all the rock to get out something that is causing trouble. Most of all enjoy!

 

For salinaty, you might want to check with other experts. 1.023 is ok for fish, but I think some coarls requires a little higher.

Other than that, you sit back and wait. Make any adjustments you want to make during the cycle. I started my cycle on 6/22 and I have just started to stock slowly, like one week in btw, I am still making adjustments and adding refug. on top of my sump.

Oh also, save up some $$$

 

Before putting in all that live rock, look into a support for the bottom of your tank. I cannot remember exactly, but I seem to think that you can use eggcrate or small pvc. Look into it. I did not do it with mine, as I had no idea it was even an issue.

Peace......John.


And I agree with the no fish rule. Old school was to throw in some damsels to start the cycle. Again, that's what I did. It kills fish. The die off from the LR you put in there will start the cycle.

 

Wait, study, (and "save up $") - all good advice...

Good time to start learning about and doing water tests...

Here are some links to browse while cycle going on...





The Tao of Marine Aquaria (Tips for Our Hobby and Life)


3Reef Articles


Knowing How to Set Up a Marine Aquarium, Adam Blundell M.S.


Your First Reef aquarium: How to Create a Miniature Coral Reef System at Home.
by J. Charles Delbeek B.Sc., B.Ed., M.Sc.


About.com - Saltwater Aquariums 101 "Getting Started" FREE Email Course


Thinking about setting up a saltwater aquarium? (melevsreef.com)


An Introduction to the Marine Aquarium Hobby (Part 1) - Associated Content (Parrothead)


An Introduction to the Marine Aquarium Hobby (Part 2) - Associated Content (Parrothead)


A List Of Good Beginner Fish


Fish To Be Avoided - I


Fish To Be Avoided - II



Good luck.

Keep us posted.

 

IMO you are about to screw up right out of the gate , 100lbs of L/and Not needed a cup or so from a trusted and established tank or system s all you'll need to activate the dead aragonite that I'd use get me some dead base rock and put in there . You my friend are fixing to waste a lot of money to buy alot of problems . Takes me 12 to 14 weeks to cycle a tank along until I wake them up with a 2nd fish other then the simple little cycling fish. To many pest and aggravations to be brought and put in your tank these days from Lrock and sand .It amazes me like all theses people set quarantine tanks and worry about a disease or pest coming in on a fish or coral and would condem anyone who does not quarantine there livestock but will toss in a Rock full of who knows what that they just got from the LFS cause it had some growths on it that looked cool and would add to the systems bio diversity . The refugium will not need plants for a good bit yet .

 

Thanks for the advice. Is it ok to add the live sand then the LR.

 

Tangster. Can you please explain a little more. Are you saying you would not use live sand and that you would use "dead" sand while adding some from an established tank. Also, how am I setting up to spend a lot of money to buy problems.

 

Why are you so set on Live sand and rock ? waste of money and you can and will most likley be buying disease and pestilance for the tank at least some problmes of some sort . You could not give me L/R or sand .
But yes I always put my dead dry clean pure Carriba sea custom sea floor aragonite in first then I set my dry cleane safe pest diseas free baserock on the sand and toss in the salt and filler up.

 

I am not set on LR and sand. Overall I am trying to learn, but since I already purchased the live sand I was wondering what your concerns were and if I can/should use it.