Cycle????

[monsterM]

HI,

The book that I am reading is a little confusing about the cycling process. Can any one tell me what I need in, and around the tank to start this process. I have been contemplating putting stress coat to help neutalize heavy metals and chlorine in the tap water. The book said if I let my tap water sit out and mature that I would not need to purify it. That the water would purify it self. Is that correct? Do I need a Ph buffer when I start? The book states that all I need is the salt, sand, hydrometer, test kits, tank, stand, heater, decorations/ rock, and water purifier. The book also states that I would not need to turn on my power filter. I should just let my water sit and mature is that correct?

[monsterM]

Just to add If any one wanted to know.
I have: a 55 gal
Heater
standard flo. light
power filter

[Ninong]

I have been contemplating putting stress coat to help neutalize heavy metals and chlorine in the tap water.

I would not use Stress-Coat except maybe for a new outdoor freshwater pond. Even then I probably wouldn't use it.

The book said if I let my tap water sit out and mature that I would not need to purify it. That the water would purify it self. Is that correct?

If it is treated with chlorine, the chlorine will dissipate within 24 - 48 hours. However, if it is treated with chloramines, they take at least two to three weeks to dissipate. So the book is wrong. Maybe it was written a long time ago before municipal water districts started using chloramines.

Do I need a Ph buffer when I start?

No.

The book states that all I need is the salt, sand, hydrometer, test kits, tank, stand, heater, decorations/ rock, and water purifier.

I would get a refractometer instead of a hydrometer. You can get decent refractometers for less than $50 online. You would need some sort of water purifier if you intend using tapwater. Eventually you might want to invest in an R.O./D.I. filter system to process your tapwater before you make the saltwater. Or you could buy R.O. water from some supermarkets or perhaps the LFS.

The book also states that I would not need to turn on my power filter. I should just let my water sit and mature is that correct?

Hmmm... I would recommend a decent protein skimmer instead of a power filter. I assume they are talking about the initial cycle period but I'm not sure why they would recommend letting the water "sit and mature" without any filtration at all. If you are using just sand and dead decorations, you will need to begin the cycle with a few raw shrimp from the local supermarket or even a nice sized piece of raw fish. They will begin to decay immediately and provide nutrients to power the growing beneficial bacteria. For your size tank, three or four average size raw shrimp or a 4 oz. piece of raw fish would do the trick. You could place them in a mesh bag or an old nylon stocking to make it easier to remove the resulting detritus.

You might want to consider buying some live rock for your tank. That's a lot better than dead decorations. The live rock would cycle the tank all by itself and it is a constant source of filtration and nutrient recycling.

Good luck,

[monsterM]

After I put the raw shrimp in the tank to start cycling, do i then turn on my protein skimmer and filters or just let the water just sit?


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[Ninong]

I would run whatever you have for filtration, skimmer, etc. If you have any live rock in the tank, I would run your lights for about four or five hours a day. If there is no live rock in the tank then don't run the lights.

[irabren]

I would run whatever you have for filtration, skimmer, etc. If you have any live rock in the tank, I would run your lights for about four or five hours a day. If there is no live rock in the tank then don't run the lights.

To start cycling : Place good quality live rock and live sand amounts suitable for your tank size - see this site: http://tampabaysaltwater.com/package.html

It gives good instructions on how to start the cycle. Run the power filter at low flow - maybe with 1 sponge. Add a skimmer like aqua remora c or remora pro. Run lights for 4-5 hrs per day. ( with LR)

[irabren]

[QUOTE=irabren]To start cycling : Place good quality live rock and live sand amounts suitable for your tank size - see this site: http://tampabaysaltwater.com/package.html

It gives good instructions on how to start the cycle. Run the power filter at low flow - maybe with 1 sponge. Add a skimmer like aqua remora c or remora pro. Run lights for 4-5 hrs per day. (

Also - prepare saltwater 24 hours or overnite in advance ) in garbage can. Use Oceanic or Instant Ocean. Place powerhead or airstone to agitate and heater to keep water temp 78-80 deg.
Add amquel to get rid of chlorine and chloramine. Keep near tank and use for water changes. During cycling - be ready to do water changes if ammonia goes over 1