cycling for fiji puffer and friends

[Hydrokal]

Live rock will be effectively fully cured when you can run your tests and not get any cycling results (minimal ammonia, nitrates, and nitrites) there is just a lot of stuff that will die off on those rocks, or decay if already dead, and it will throw those things off.

A lot of people swear by skimmers, if you have the money, get one, if not, keep up with large water changes. By over the top i'm guessing you mean hang on back? I dont know the brands to well so I cant suggest one.

[Idontknow]

You will need to raise the SG to above 1.017. I learned the hard way live rock completely dies below this.

To cure your uncured live rock, put it in a separate bucket with an airpump and heater set to about 76 degrees. The SG should be about 1.021 or so. Test for Ammonia and Nitrite. When they are zero, the rock is cured. Also, you might want to take out any sediment or debris off the bottom with a siphon during the curing process. It takes anywhere from 3 days to a week or more.

[mikeKICKz]

thanks. i got a question, my tank setup is near my front door. there's a window on the left side of my tank. is this going to be a problem? i know algae is more prone, but is there harm in sunlight through the tank? i'm going to pick up some bio-spira this weekend.

here's my definate list of fish i'm putting it. fiji puffer, royal gramma and devil damsel.

[Idontknow]

You will be amazed how big an algae bloom you will get right away. Plus the water will turn a greenish color. I would try to block out direct sunlight.

[mikeKICKz]

damn idk, you're quick. yeah i'm going to put some blinds there. it won't hard my cured live rock though, will it?

[Pufferpunk]

Man, you still have a LOT to learn about keeping SW. Your "cured" rock will definately not be cured tomorrow after being in a SG of 1.010.

Although this is also for reef tanks, start learning here:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showt ... id=1031074

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_StartAquarium.aspx

Read, read, read, research, reasearch, reasearch!!!

[mikeKICKz]

okay i did a water test and here it is. i used my api "freshwater" kit, would this be accurate since it's not saltwater?
ammonia: 0.5
ph:8.2
nitrite:0
nitrate:0
Sg:1.014

i was looking at the rocks and i notice little shrimp/worm like critters but they loks dead "not moving". am i doing something wrong. should i wait till i'm at proper sg levels to add more live rock. and thanks punk i will read those links now, and be back with more update and set up pics. thanks ya'll for all the help.

[Pufferpunk]

I would just assume your "live" rock isn't oing to be very live & you're going to have a huge ammonia/nitrite spike. Get that SG up to around 1.020 asap.

[mikeKICKz]

alright i added more salt. damn i hope i pull this off. i was looking at the cured rocks and i saw more critters, a fat juicy looking caterpillar thing. my not so cured rock is staring to turn greenish color. is this something that happens with too much of any light. what do i need to do?

is the jebo 180 protein skimmer good? i dont have a sump so i'm looking for a hang on skimmer

do i leave the light in my tank on for the rocks?

[mikeKICKz]

i went and got more LR and i also pick up a damsel. yeah i know, but my son was throwing a fit at the lfs because he wanted a fish so i just picked it up since it can be used to cycle. is my perimeters going to go crazy? is the the damsel going to be harmed in this process? also i want my LR to get as purple as they can get. what kind of lights do i need and what kinds of buffer can i put?

[Pufferpunk]

Any fish will be harmed that you use for a cycle. Teach your kid the word no early or you'll be sorry later.

[mikeKICKz]

i did a water test today and here are the results.
sg: 1.021
ph: 8.2
ammonia: 0.25
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 0

i'm planning to get a protein skimmer soon. i was a actually looking at either the seaclose 150 or the prizm. any good experiences with these skimmers?

i'm going to pick up more LR next weekend. i'll post some pic tomorrow.

[Jase]

I know it's a pain, but i would put a little more money into the skimmer. it's pretty important.
plus the cheaper ones are usually crap...

[Pufferpunk]

Agreed, you'll replacing either of those pretty soon after you put them on, as they are garbage. Go with a Backpac or something similar. You shold be able to find used ones at Ebay or Reef Central. Go to RC & see if there is a local reef club near you.

Sounds like your cycle is starting. Did you return the damsel (I hope)?

[mikeKICKz]

would you guys recommend the aquaC remora over the others i considered?