[chugga]

Hi, I posted earlier in another forum, but here's an update: - I'm currently setting up a new tank - 39 gallons (36"lx14"wx18"h), to replace my 10 gal nano, which has been running now for around 6 months. In the nano I have about 9 lbs of liverock, a BTA and a blue damsel. I want to get the new tank up and running asap and eventually transfer everything over.

I've decided on a 1000lph (263 gph) 3 stage cannister, which is on it's way, at the moment I'm using a 400lph pre-filtered powerhead to help cycle the tank (Taken out of my nano tank, along with a peice of rock, to kickstart the cycle. I used 2 jumbo shrimp, left them in there for 3 days until I couldn't stand the smell any more! I was planning on just running the cannister and powerhead atm, and adding liverock once the cycle is done, and possibly a HOB skimmer after Christmas. Is this a good plan, or am I giong to run into probs? The budget is tight between now and Christmas, and I don't have any lighting yet, but I was hoping to run maybe a couple of fluro tubes for the time being, and maybe back them up with a mh early next year. Thoughts?

[BubbaWPB]

I'm curious why you wouldn't add live rock until the cycle is done.... I thought the live rock would help the cycling and adding live rock to an existing system would send it into another cycle...

[chugga]

Originally Posted by BubbaWPB

I'm curious why you wouldn't add live rock until the cycle is done.... I thought the live rock would help the cycling and adding live rock to an existing system would send it into another cycle...

I read on another site to cycle the tank with jumbo shrimp first, then add cured liverock. When I set my nano up I did it that way, waited for the ammonia to peak, then nitrite, then I added the liverock when the nitrite was almost back to zero again. I was going to do the same thing again, thinking that putting liverock into an uncycled tank would cause die-off in the LR and possibly damage it. (I'm a creature of habit I guess!).
Since I started this tank cycling I've read posts about people actually using the LR to cycle the tank - am I too late to do it that way now? I have a fairly high ammonia reading, would I be better off to do a water change and add LR?

A late note: I'm already getting nitrite readings of 0.25! The tank has only been cycling a bit over a week - is that normal? It took forever for my other tank to show nitrite. I did use a complete pre-filtered powerhead from my nano this time, plus some sand, rock and water from it as well, and ran my temp at around 82 degrees. Should I get some LR later in the week and put it in? Also, how does my filtration plan sound? Sorry about all the questions, I'm still a relative newbie, and I don't want to lose anything during the transition. TIA

[BubbaWPB]

Although I have an extensive background in biological sciences, I'm still a relative newbie to saltwater, too... I was just curious. It seems that there are different habits/ theories/ techniques in different regions of the world. Evidently, most of them are relatively effective. I just haven't found much reading on cycling without sand/rock (live or otherwise) as a bacterial substrate.

I know that most people around here do the live rock/live sand cycling because it is relatively quick - adding critters to the tank after less than a week is not uncommon (assuming the live rock is "cured"). Also, I'm not sure what effect the canister filter would have, since they aren't popular here. I'm not sure what sort of bioload they would hold.

The theory is that I'm most familiar with is that the rock and sand provide places for the nitrogen-processing bacteria to live and reproduce. It sounds like you got a prefilter and a canister filter as substrate for your bacteria. Most of what I have read indicates that although the filters provide substrate for the bacteria, they later trap all sorts of fish wastes and can be the cause of nitrogen spikes. (Not that a dirty sump can't do the same thing.)

Just my educated opinion, but I'd avoid adding something living to your tank when your toxic nitrogen compounds are peaking. Just seems sorta stressful to the life on board, like you implied.

[chugga]

So You reckon the cannister is a dud idea? I haven't paid for it yet, and if it's not a good way to go I'd rather spend the money where it's best utilised. Maybe another p/h and some liverock, and the money I save there can get my lighting set up sooner? Would that be a better way to go? I also have a 600lph (140 gph) HOB on my nano that I can add as soon as the nano is empty. Sorry about all the questions, just that my budget's a bit tight this side of Christmas, and things are happening quicker than planned!

[BubbaWPB]

Well, I don't know of anyone who uses the canister...and lots that use live rock/sand. Maybe some of the monitor/experts can verify what I'm saying. What do y'all think?

[Reefland]

I didn't read through all of this but I agree, no canister is needed.