Help Cycling new saltwater 10 gallon

Discussion in 'General Reef Topics' started by Sandwich, May 27, 2011.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

  1. Sandwich

    Sandwich Plankton

    Joined:
    May 27, 2011
    Messages:
    7
    Location:
    Johnson City New York
    Hi guys, new to the site and the hobby, I just started a 10 gallon fowlr. I started by mixing the salt and I have a salinity of 1.025, and I added reef sugar grained size sand, and 2 pounds of live rock and am going to add more once I get it cycled. I have 0 ppm of ammonia, 0 ppm of nitrites and 0 ppm of nitrates. My tank has been running for about 4 days now, Do I need to feed the living things in the live rock? Also I bought the live rock from a lfs and I did the smell test and it's been in a tank and they said it was cured, but I don't see anything in them. I didn't add a shrimp to rot because I searched online and it's not necessary for a tank cycling with cured lr. I'm just wondering when I should add some clean up crew.
     
    Sandwich, May 27, 2011
    Sandwich, May 27, 2011
    #1

    2. Click Here!

  2. ComputerJohn

    ComputerJohn Panda Puffer

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2009
    Messages:
    2,123
    Location:
    Massachusetts
    Hello & welcome to 3reef. If you have live rock in your system, then you need to have your lighting cycling on as well.. You should seed your sand as well with live sand. Nothing crazy, half to 1 pound is fine for the size tank. When added, just slowly add it & mix it in by hand. Does your LR have any algae on it? If so, then I would add a 2-3 hermit crabs & snail (not turbo snails).. After a 3-4 days you'll see grown on your sand bed.. Your tank is off to a good start.
     
    ComputerJohn, May 27, 2011
    ComputerJohn, May 27, 2011
    #2
  3. fishyfinder

    fishyfinder Teardrop Maxima Clam

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2008
    Messages:
    815
    Location:
    Ohio State
    There is no need for Live Sand. The live rock will seed the sand.
     
    fishyfinder, May 28, 2011
    fishyfinder, May 28, 2011
    #3
  4. ComputerJohn

    ComputerJohn Panda Puffer

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2009
    Messages:
    2,123
    Location:
    Massachusetts
    To speed up the cycle, trust me. Add the live sand.. Only a little bit is needed. Read my 90gal thread & see how fast my system cycled.

     
    ComputerJohn, May 28, 2011
    ComputerJohn, May 28, 2011
    #4
  5. SushiGirl

    SushiGirl Barracuda

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2010
    Messages:
    2,457
    Not all tanks will cycle at the same speed. What works for one tank may not work for another. I wouldn't add a clean up crew or crabs at just 4 days in.
     
    SushiGirl, May 28, 2011
    SushiGirl, May 28, 2011
    #5
  6. ComputerJohn

    ComputerJohn Panda Puffer

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2009
    Messages:
    2,123
    Location:
    Massachusetts
    I agree not all tanks cycle the same. That would depend on algae growth, providing his lighting is on and doing its job.

    Sent from my HTC EVO using Tapatalk
     
    ComputerJohn, May 28, 2011
    ComputerJohn, May 28, 2011
    #6

    7. Click Here!

  7. Sandwich

    Sandwich Plankton

    Joined:
    May 27, 2011
    Messages:
    7
    Location:
    Johnson City New York
    I just have a basic fluorescent light right now, But I plan on doing a diy cfl 50/50 style light as I seen in diy forums.
     
    Sandwich, May 28, 2011
    Sandwich, May 28, 2011
    #7
  8. ComputerJohn

    ComputerJohn Panda Puffer

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2009
    Messages:
    2,123
    Location:
    Massachusetts
    Should be fine for now. Depending if you plan on fish only with live rock or some coral.

    Sent from my HTC EVO using Tapatalk
     
    ComputerJohn, May 28, 2011
    ComputerJohn, May 28, 2011
    #8
  9. Sandwich

    Sandwich Plankton

    Joined:
    May 27, 2011
    Messages:
    7
    Location:
    Johnson City New York
    If the mods see this, would you please close this topic? I have a second one and accidentally hit the submit button twice.
     
    Sandwich, May 28, 2011
    Sandwich, May 28, 2011
    #9