Start Cycle?

Indymann99

So I have my tank up and running for about 2 weeks.

Week 1 - RO water added and circulated for 2 days, Salt mixed and heated to 79deg "aged" for 5days.

Week 2 - day 1 Live sand added , day 2 Live rock added.

FOWLR
120g tank
200 lbs of live sand
60 lbs of live rock

45g sump/fuge
ASM G2 skimmer
Mag 9.5 return pump

I have been testing the last 4 days and all readings have been 0 (except day 2 after LR - Ammonia = 0.25).

I had read that some die off from the LR would be enough to cycle the tank but I dont see Ammonia rising at all.

Live sand was prepackaged.
Live rock is from LFS and was only out of the water for 15-20min. (yes the fish store is pretty close to my house).

I am currently running the skimmer and it doesnt seem to be pulling much out (bubble froth seems ok but is just barely "off-white".

Should I add a Damsel to start the cycle?

Thanks

bandr1002

you can add a damsel, and it will speed up the process. however, i would not! the reason i say this is if you do add a damsel and decide that you dont want him, you will have an eyesore in your tank. also some damsels are quite aggresive and may terrorize your tank mates when you get them. if i were you (as cheap as a damsel is) i would spend the money on more LR. you could use at least 60 more pounds. i had my tank running for about 3 months without one fish in it. the key to this addiction (or hobby as some would put it) is patience. i would finish with all of the LR first. as you are adding your rock, do all of the research on the fish you really want. are you aiming at a reef tank or a fish only with LR tank? add all of the peaceful fish first and any territorial ones dead last.

PATIENCE IS THE KEY TO A GOOD TANK!

it will cycle on its own without the addition of fish, it just takes a couple of weeks longer. As for the skimmer, you will not see any crap in it for a while, it took myne a month or two before i noticed it really collecting anything, this is the norm.

BTW sounds to me like you are on the very good path. and you have found a great forum for your ??'s

Indymann99

Thanks for the insight.

The tank is FOWLR so I am am pretty happy with the amount of LR (more swimming space).

Some shots of the tank

Waiting on the cabinet doors (top and bottom)




Sump - still need to install the drain/fill plumbing from the Mix Room, and the auto RO topoff. So far I loose 1 gal per day to evap.



Mix Room - plumbed to pump water from mix tank (Rubbermaid) to DT or QT.





So far the DT varies by 0.2 deg (the tank is in the basement so the temp is very stable).

I am using the "Herbie" silent overflow method (valve on drain and returns adjusted so that the drain is fully submerged and a full siphon) and the tank is completely silent. I did add an emergency drain (black PVC that is behind the LR). The Mag 9.5 is not loud, the most noise comes from the skimmer intake (cabinet doors should block that).

I have tested (purposeful and power failures) the drainback into the sump and the sump has the capacity, the system also restarts without any required attention.

Planning on Cheato (sp?) in the fuge once the Nitrates start to come up.

Working on stocking list but I am going light bio load with this tank (no triggers, lions, etc).

Cleaner crew
Clowns
yellow Tang
Domino Damsel (I had a Domino in my last tank, it was one of the "survivors" of my startup fish, I figured he would get eaten by the trigger or lion but he held his own and was one of the most vocal and had a great "personality")

As tank matures I may look at some corals but will have to re-asses lighting. I am currently running a Coralife PC with moon lights but no MH.

chadf

That's an awesome setup!

Indymann99

Chadf, thanks for the compliment.

Started out like this



but thanks to a very understanding wife and a great carpenter it turned out better than I expected.

I have to wait a week (work travel) but I think I am ready for some fish (or source of Ammonia) as I am still testing all params at 0.0 ?????

Thanks to the forum for a bunch of good info.

chadf

Definately start with one fish since you have not really established a cycle...you don't really know if you will jump start one once you add a fish. I would definately avoid a damsel, they are way too aggressive for a peaceful community. Most clownfish or even maybe a coral beauty are just as hardy.

Indymann99

Thanks, my LFS has a good selection of Percula, I eventually want 2, can I add 1 now and another later?

Thanks

chadf

They do best when added at the same time. I suppose if they aren't full grown you could add both of them. Just keep an eye out for ammonia and nitrites and change water if necessary.

Indymann99

I suppose I could do a "fishless cycle" I have a uncooked shrimp in the fridge... wife wont mis one.

chadf

That would work. IME the best way is to get some live rock with a little die off on it though. But, if you're set on rock go ahead with the shrimp.