live rock question?

[vegeta]

i was wondering do i need a protein skimmer while my tank is cycling?

im going to have 1 54w 6500k ATI T5 and 1 54w actinic 03 T5, will this be enough to grow all the stuff on the live rock?ohhh they will both be overdriven to about 80w each.

[vegeta]

bump

anyone?

[cellexjohn]

My understanding is as much protein skimming as possible. I ran a skimmer for my current batch and it really produced alot of nasty smelling dark liquid. It had to be good to get that out of the system.

As far as the lights, what size tank? What are you planning to keep? Do you allready have the ballast and lights ? Just for reference, I have a 75g. with 4 URI VHO (2 03's and 2 aquasun) bulbs funning off a 660 icecap ballast.

[vegeta]

55 gallon 12-14" deep after my DBS, i just ordered the lights and i will be using a WH7 ballast, im not sure what i want to keep, i just want some nice looking colors, and corals that are easy to keep, i really like BTAs.

BTW this will be the first thing i add to the tank, so i dont need to cure it right?


what kind of stuff do you keep under your lights?

[vegeta]

ooh and i will add another 4-6 lights later.

[mirski57]

With skimming....you keep your "peak" ammonia and nitrate levels at a minimum, which will in turn keep move critters alive in the rock during the cycle and create a more diverse tank after the cycle is complete.