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NU-2reef · 02-11-2008, 10:05 PM

as far as live rock get about 50lbs or more. the rule of thumb is to get 1.5-2.0lbs of live rock per gallon. depending on your budget. LR is necessary part of cycling. allows beneficial bateria to develop in small pores of LR. When adding live rock you need to make a choice whether you want to buy CURED or UNCURED rock. Research if im not making sense OK. Personally i prefer cured a bit more $$$ but well worth it.

Buy a complete test kit(saltwater kit) or make sure you at least have the ph/ammonia/nitrite and nitrate kits to start with.

after adding LR you may want to test the water as a BASELINE. then run tests as often as you plz. i tested every 5 days during cycle. the ammonia should spike first then drop to 0 then the nitrite spikes and drops. after this occurs watch the nitrAte as it should slowly decline. Now the cycle is over. IT MAY TAKE UP TO 3 mths so be patient.

If possible ask your LFS or a friend if you could buy a bag of sand from one of their well established tanks. the existing beneficial bacteria from the sand should help with the cycle process.

Ask plenty of questions the 3reef community is the best when it comes to helping begginers. I am a begginer and this site has taught me plenty.

you may want to start a thread on how to cycle just to let the rest of 3 reef help you out.
and they will all tell ya to go slow, especially during the beggining stages.

good luck and feel free to ask more Q's

02-11-2008, 10:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
NU-2reef Bristle Worm Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: vancouver, canada Posts: 130 Karma: 134	as far as live rock get about 50lbs or more. the rule of thumb is to get 1.5-2.0lbs of live rock per gallon. depending on your budget. LR is necessary part of cycling. allows beneficial bateria to develop in small pores of LR. When adding live rock you need to make a choice whether you want to buy CURED or UNCURED rock. Research if im not making sense OK. Personally i prefer cured a bit more $$$ but well worth it. Buy a complete test kit(saltwater kit) or make sure you at least have the ph/ammonia/nitrite and nitrate kits to start with. after adding LR you may want to test the water as a BASELINE. then run tests as often as you plz. i tested every 5 days during cycle. the ammonia should spike first then drop to 0 then the nitrite spikes and drops. after this occurs watch the nitrAte as it should slowly decline. Now the cycle is over. IT MAY TAKE UP TO 3 mths so be patient. If possible ask your LFS or a friend if you could buy a bag of sand from one of their well established tanks. the existing beneficial bacteria from the sand should help with the cycle process. Ask plenty of questions the 3reef community is the best when it comes to helping begginers. I am a begginer and this site has taught me plenty. you may want to start a thread on how to cycle just to let the rest of 3 reef help you out. and they will all tell ya to go slow, especially during the beggining stages. good luck and feel free to ask more Q's _________ 29 g biocube First tank ever 25 lbs LR 20 lbs LS 1 oceanic protein skimmer Filter In Middle Chamber: sponge+bioballs+Seachem biofiltration media+2 bags of activated carbon all under a drip tray. 10,000k power compact actinic pc 3 moonlight LED 1 domino damsel 1 peppermint shrimp 2 scarlet hermits 3 hermits 3 spiny astria snails 2 turbo snails 2 fighting conch ( aquacultured)