Newbie Help please

ggmichael · 09-12-2006, 12:02 PM

We just set up our SW Aquarium (72 gallons) and tonight we are putting in 100 lbs of LR. We are reading about the cyling process and are a bit confused. I understand we need to have the amonia to get the algae and bacteria growing, etc., but then I read the opening sticky and it says no fish during the cycling process. How do you get natural amonia in there without fish. I thought we needed a couple fish (damsel) to work through the cycling process. Your input is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

ahill3780 · 09-12-2006, 03:04 PM

Welcome to FishTankForums!

The LR you are going to add to the tank should do the trick. Ammonia is a natural byproduct of decomposition and does not require that a fish be the source of waste. Die-off (dead/dying organisms) on the LR will leach out into the tank and break down into ammonia fueling the cycle.

To satisfy your curiosity, if you were not going to put any LR in the tank then you could simply drop in a pinch of flake food every week and let it break down in the tank. This will work just as good as any other method. The fish simply is not a requirement for this process to function, its just always the first thing suggested by LFSs to increase sales. It works yes, they aren't lying to you, they just aren't telling you the whole truth because omission is beneficial to their profit margins. People who suggest this to you who do not work in the industry are generally just misinformed.

HTH,
Aaron

ggmichael · 09-12-2006, 05:10 PM

Thanks for the response...another question if I might please

During the cycling process, does the water get changed as usual based on the 10% every two weeks rule?

On a side note, hehehehe we just had our first little accident. Hubby was putting the LR in and when he was replacing the water that he took out he forgot to turn the pump back on and well it overflowed at the bottom, so now we have the fan out lol. On the bright side I told him well you probably will only do that once

So we put the 100 lbs of LR in and now we patiently wait. We are thinking of putting a damsel or two in there in a week or so just to add some excitement.

Thanks for your help

gg

ahill3780 · 09-12-2006, 08:20 PM

To help with nutrient export during the cycle period in an effort to keep algae down as much as possible it is better to step up the water change frequency. I would suggest 25% every week. It isn't completely necessary, but it can help to speed things up.

You usually won't make a mistake twice in this hobby becuase the first time it happens it tends to happen big. Everyone makes mistakes though. (like sticking an anemone in a 3 week old tank with 1 15W fluorescent bulb over it because your brother had to have it.

I tell you, I won't make that mistake again! FYI, I took him out and returned him to the LFS and he found a good home.)

I think the cycling rock may be a little much for even a damsel to handle, but I have seen them pull through some tough situations. Just remember to step up your water changes if you decide to keep damsels in the tank. And be forewarned that you may find yourself having to get rid of them when you go to get your next fish. Damsels are bullys and they will pester similar sized or smaller fish.

ggmichael · 09-13-2006, 10:20 PM

Thanks for the advice about changing the water. So you would recommend NO fish during the cycling period or is there another easygoing fish we could put in there just to have some extra color to look at?

ahill3780 · 09-13-2006, 10:43 PM

Its best to wait until at least the ammonia and nitrite have cycled before adding in anything, but damsels are about the hardiest I know of for these conditions. Ocellaris clowns will add an orange splash to the tank and they are better first additions as they are more friendly towards newcommers than damsels typically are. They have been known to prove hardy enough to ride the cycle out, and they are more intersting to new hobbiests IME. If I were to ever recommend any fish for an "early starter" it would be the clown.

IMHO, under these conditions you should only add 1 hardy fish per every 30 gallons to a cycling tank.. if any.

ggmichael · 09-13-2006, 10:52 PM

Thanks so much. I am already like a little girl watching the LR (and I am 47 years old LOL). I just stare at it. We got Fiji and it was well cured and had lots of life on it when we got it. The tank is beautifully clear, but the cyclling has only been 2 days...so I will just enjoy the scenery for awhile.

ahill3780 · 09-13-2006, 11:04 PM

It gets even more interesting at night when all the critters come out.

If you can get a red light, or use a regular flashlight with a red film in front of it you can watch at night without disturbing them. You'll find something new every other day if you watch it enough.

WhoDey · 09-14-2006, 11:51 AM

Hello,

Where did you purchase your Fiji Live Rock? I'm curious becuase I've been looking for the past couple days... And if you don't mind me asking... How much did you pay for it? Thanks for the help!

ggmichael · 09-14-2006, 06:39 PM

I live in Houston, I bought it at Aquarium World. It retailed for $6.99 a pound but because we bought an entire fish tank setup they discounted it to $4.99 a pound...plus we got 100 pounds (if that matters). It was ordered on a Monday by Aquarium World and they called us on Tuesday and we went to pick it up. It had been overnight shipped. Hope this helps.