Cycle Time?

[tprize]

So I set up a new nano tank last night, and I'm wondering how long my cycle time will be.

The sand is Arag-Alive no cycle sand, and the live rock has been cycling at premium aquatics for over a month now. So if my sand is cycled and my rock has been cycled what am I cycling and how long will it take?

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Do you have an ammonia kit? The only way to know when it is cycled is to monitor it. The times vary from no apparent ammonia to a substantial amount for a few weeks. To some extent, the less visible life on the rock and sand, the faster the cycle.

[tprize]

Like I said it has been curing for over a month, so I didn't know if that eliminates the cycle time.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I would not assume it eliminates it. Organisms on the rock may die in transit. If there is not much there, then that may not happen, but if there are creatures on it, some will die by being exposed to air, crushed, getting cold, etc.

[sk8rreefgeek]

we set up my girlfriend's 24g nano right after christmas. We used water from my 55, fully cured rock, and carab sea live sand. here it is from earlier this week. I think the cycle's about done now...

[tprize]

ok I will look at my ammonia. should I put detravoir eaters in to eat the dead waste? I am also running cheato so that should help.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

If the ammonia is down to undetectable levels, it is fine to put in some snails and such. What did you plan to add?

[tprize]

probably some snails crabs shrimp starfish and some sort of shrimp gobies. coral frags as well.

[Finding Emo]

I must agree that cycling when adding precycled rock and sand is alot quicker than using uncured of both. I have a 29 gallon tank that I set up only 2 weeks ago and I got the rock and sand from someone who was moving a couple of states and didn't want to take it with. A week ago I added my snails and hermits of which only one snail died. Then the next day I added a Blue\Green Reef Chromis, which was free from a friend as it was a mis-shipment and needed a home. After that, I added a pair of oscellaris clowns 2 days after that, same situation, different friend except these weren't misshipped. But I was testing all the time and the only thing that was ever off in my tank was that my calcium was way too high cuz i added to much Purple Up, but I laid off that and then it corrected. So if you keep testing your tank and it seems perfect continually I'd say go for it! My tank is still up and running and is doing great...except for my new diatom bloom.