Will using old rock and such help a new tank?

Discussion in 'General Reef Topics' started by nev, Jul 17, 2009.

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  1. nev

    nev Plankton

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    Hi guys, i have just aquired a red sea 130 max for a too good to say no to price;D
    I am going to set it up as a nano or maybe even a primarily sea horse tank with few or even no fish just inverts
    I have 2 other saltwater tanks which are holding 79 and 120 gallons each, would it be easier for me to take rock and water that i want for the new tank out of one of these to help speed up the tank cycling?
    i was thinking that my bigger tank has more than enough already aged rock to put into it and then if i start by putting the old water from my next change into the new tank to help also
    is this a reasonable idea or will it cause more hassles than its going to save?
    thanks guys
     
    nev, Jul 17, 2009
    nev, Jul 17, 2009
    #1

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  2. Daniel072

    Daniel072 Giant Squid

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    when I started my nano I just pulled rock from my main display. You will have a little cycle but it won't be a long one. mine lasted about 10 days and that was it. No problems with it since.
     
    Daniel072, Jul 17, 2009
    Daniel072, Jul 17, 2009
    #2
  3. steve wright

    steve wright Super Moderator

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    + 1 for me

    when I set up my 60 in Feb this year, I took some rock and some sand and a couple of weeks water change water from my 70 to start/ seed this tank

    Steve
     
    steve wright, Jul 17, 2009
    steve wright, Jul 17, 2009
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  4. nev

    nev Plankton

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    im trying to avoid the whole sitting around for weeks waiting for the tank to be ready to add things
    i am confident it would work ok but iv never tried it or no anyone who has so i just wann make sure that there is no hidden problems that arrise with doing this
    i am even thinking about taking some of my filter wool from my running tank that i take the rock from and use it too
     
    nev, Jul 17, 2009
    nev, Jul 17, 2009
    #4
  5. Daniel072

    Daniel072 Giant Squid

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    once again, read my above post. You will have somewhat of a cycle. It just works that way. Even moving the rock in an existing tank will cause a cycle of sorts. there are areas of the rock that don't get a lot of flow nor do they get alot of oxygen and these parts will have nastiness built up. Once it is moved, that nastiness gets into the water column and causes a little bit of an issue. nothing major, but you have to let the exhisting bacteria catch up with it. Does this make sense??
     
    Daniel072, Jul 17, 2009
    Daniel072, Jul 17, 2009
    #5
  6. nev

    nev Plankton

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    very helpfull, and reassuring, cheers guys
     
    nev, Jul 17, 2009
    nev, Jul 17, 2009
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  7. cira050

    cira050 Torch Coral

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    that is probably the 2nd best thing for the new tank. And yes, i would take water and rock from one of the other tanks and put it in the new one. It speeds up the cycle sooo much faster and if you put the old wool in the filter that means it doesnt have to establish biological sediments it can start with it already in there. That will definately kick start the cycle
     
    cira050, Jul 18, 2009
    cira050, Jul 18, 2009
    #7