29 gal, FOWLR questions

Cichlids4Ever · 09-17-2009, 12:09 PM

Hi,
I just set up a 29 gal saltwater tank with 28 lbs. of live rock and 2 inches live sand.
As far as cycling the tank, what is it I am supposed to look for?
I was told that with so much live rock and sand, I may never see an ammonia or nitrIte spike, so how do I know when tank is safe for fish?
Look for NitrAtes?
The tank has been up for one week. I am getting some foam coming up into the protein skimmer, and I also have 2 power heads and some snails and hermits in there for now
Thanks

lostanime · 09-18-2009, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cichlids4Ever

Hi,
I just set up a 29 gal saltwater tank with 28 lbs. of live rock and 2 inches live sand.
As far as cycling the tank, what is it I am supposed to look for?
I was told that with so much live rock and sand, I may never see an ammonia or nitrIte spike, so how do I know when tank is safe for fish?
Look for NitrAtes?
The tank has been up for one week. I am getting some foam coming up into the protein skimmer, and I also have 2 power heads and some snails and hermits in there for now
Thanks

You've got it! Wait for nitrates, although you MIGHT not even see nitrates with that much live rock (due to denitrification)...

once you start seeing nitrates, I'd look into a hardy fish...

If more then 3 weeks pass without a fish and you still dont see ammonia/nitrites/nitrates, I'd also look into a single hardy fish. That's enough live rock that (in my opinion) you should see ammonia/nitrite within the first couple weeks if at all, just take it slow

Cichlids4Ever · 09-19-2009, 07:29 AM

Thanks for the help - I am already seeing 5ppm nitrAte and it's only a week. I think I will wait another week before adding any fish. They tell me a green Chromie or Damsel will help cycle, but I don't like going that route. It harms the fish, and those fish get territorial and are hard to manage. That's what I hear anyway.
I will be patient for a bit and see if any ammonia pops up.
Thanks!

Judge · 09-19-2009, 05:59 PM

Good for you Cichlids4Ever. Patience is the key and it sounds like the cycle is progressing so just hang in there.

lostanime · 09-19-2009, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cichlids4Ever

Thanks for the help - I am already seeing 5ppm nitrAte and it's only a week. I think I will wait another week before adding any fish. They tell me a green Chromie or Damsel will help cycle, but I don't like going that route. It harms the fish, and those fish get territorial and are hard to manage. That's what I hear anyway.
I will be patient for a bit and see if any ammonia pops up.
Thanks!

With the live rock there's no need for fish for cycling, so I'd definitely hold off too. Damsels can be particularly mean and territorial, BUT despite being very closely related, chromis don't have the same attitude problems most damsels and clowns do... on the contrary, chromis are schooling fish. No point in throwing any fish in the tank while everything's still settling though!

Congrats on your cycle progress