should I start a cycle?

[Sierra]

Just wondering guys.... this friday is the meeting and I will be adding some live things to my tank after (LS and Chaeto) - the tank is 100% ready to go - but I have yet to start a cycle - should I?

duuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh???:rolleyes:

[Reefugee]

Sierra,

I am not familiar with TBS rock, so this may not apply.

A while back, I bought some uncured live rocks from Ocean Pro Aquatics. I had the rock sitting in the tub with a powerhead and heater for about 1 month. It went through the cycling process just fine. Then I put the rock into my aquarium with a 1.5" bed of sand that I bought from Robert (RasRobre) (thank Robert!). This is when I started noticing that my nice clean sandbed started having "yuk" debris on top of it.

Anyways - the lesson learned was that the next time I build a new aquarium, I am going to let the rock cycle in a tub for a few months first. Then I am going to give the rock a good scrubbing to get rid of all the dead stuff and loss debris before putting it in my tank.

Back to your question. I thought that TBS rocks were supposed to be fully cured, so you don't need to cycle it. In talking to Robert (RasRobre), he mentioned to me that if you have FULLY cured rocks, you can have a tank up and running in 24 hours. If just-about-anyone else told me that, I'd be a little cautious - but I trust Robert's opinion. My suggestion is go ahead and set up your tank. I doubt you will go through a "cycle." But before you add your rock to your tank, you might want to put the rock into a bucket, and srub off any loose debris with a brush or squirt them off with a turkey baster.

Good luck!

Minh

[Sierra]

thanks... I think my main concern is having a few live things in there - like sand and chaeto for a few weeks before adding the LR.

Yes the TBS rock is 'fully cured" but it wont get into my tank till april likely.

I just dont want to kill anything in the mean time that would have survived had I done a small cycle before hand.

[Reefugee]

Did you get live sand? I remember in a different thread, you talked about purchasing live sand.

In regard to the live sand - I doubt you will kill anything. I bought live sand from James (Photon) and it sat in a bucket with heater and no water flow for a month. When the sand was added to my tank, it was still full of life. BTW - did you still want a cup of live sand?

I don't know about the chaeto. But I seriously doubt you can kill those. LOL They may not grow fast but I doubt they would die in a few weeks. But this is a total guess. Worst case scenario - if they die, I am sure you can get more from MARS member.

Minh

[Sierra]

ok.... I wont worry about killing algae then lol...

Yes the LS I was speaking of was the (hopefully) few cups of sand I was hoping some members might bring for me at the next meeting. I have some dead sand in tank now.

My husband is REALLY wanting me to do something with the tank.... and so am I. Patience patience patience. yuck.

Cya'll at the meeting! :)

[duec22]

I don't see how adding some algae would affect anything, it might bring in some pods and give you a jump start on gettting their population up. When you get the rock you tank will more than likely go through a cycle. However with it being TBS rock and being so fresh it will probably be much smaller and shorter of a cycle as compaired to someone putting in some LFS figi rock or something like that.

[Sierra]

cool - thanks for your feedback. Pods are a big deal for me... I want pods!

[Jus Reefin]

I think the TBS LR is shipped Dry or in wet newspaper. This will cause some die off thus creating a mini cycle.

Rob

[Sierra]

Originally posted by Jus Reefin
I think the TBS LR is shipped Dry or in wet newspaper. This will cause some die off thus creating a mini cycle.

Rob

no, the TBS LR is shipped in containers of Saltwater.

[sagitariuscbc]

here is a great documentation of a tbs shipment!

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=500441

shawn!~)

[Jus Reefin]

In that case you should be good to go. Keep an eye out for un wanted pest. i heard TBS can be loaded with both good and Bad critters for a reef tank. The rock I have seen has been great looking with lots of life

[duec22]

Yeah from a lot of the post I've seen with TBS rock, you get all kinds of sponges, fdusters, corals, and cool macro agle growing on the rocks..then there are all the hitchhikers...pods of all sorts, crabs, shrimp, I think I've even seen a fish come in hideing someones rock. I would do a carefull inspection of all your rock..some of the pests I've heard about are gorilla crabs, mantis shrimp, a few other unidentified crabs..best of luck when it does arive..and if you find any mantis shrimp, dont kill them. I've sure there are some people that realy want them.

[Jus Reefin]

I will take the mantis if there is any

[Sierra]

Originally posted by Jus Reefin
I will take the mantis if there is any

how many do you want?! :lol:

seriously tho - I imagine I'll get at least 1 more likely about 5.... You get first pick.... you arent too far away from me anyway - when I catch em I could drop em off to you rather then have to worry about shipping/ long drive/ waiting for a meeting.

[Jus Reefin]

Originally posted by Sierra
how many do you want?! :lol:

seriously tho - I imagine I'll get at least 1 more likely about 5.... You get first pick.... you arent too far away from me anyway - when I catch em I could drop em off to you rather then have to worry about shipping/ long drive/ waiting for a meeting.

Sounds good if I don't find one by April. I didn't think anyone lived by me LOL. I will hook you up with a frag or 2 as well

Thanks