reef novice getting started

[cknfrmr]

Couple quick questions. Is there such a thing as going to slow when starting a reef tank? I will try to explaine my thoughts. Can i put my live sand in the tank with a few powers heads then a few weeks later add the live rock a little at a time. Also should i have the full amount of light that i am going to run or can i add the lights a little at a time while i am getting a slow start? Have not yet come across any facts that say one way or the other. Thanks for your time. Any suggestions will be greatly welcomed. Tank size will be 20g.

 

[ajnweb]

Welcome aboard!

The slower the better! I think you will be fine adding the sand with a few power heads, you may want to run some sort of filtration to catch all of the fine particulate matter coming off of the sand. I think you would be fine to run your lights as well right fromt the start. You can add as much or as little live rock as you want, but the key will be to let the tank cycle after the last major amount of live rock is added. Good luck!

 

[returnofsid]

As Tony said, Welcome to Reef Frontiers!!

Also, Tony gave great advice.

Yes, you can and SHOULD go SLOW!! With your live rock, each time you add more live rock, you'll probably experience a cycle. The cycle will be short, or long, depending on how much live rock you've added each time, and the cured stage that the additional live rock is at. So, as Tony said, you need to allow for a cycle, after each addition.

Lights can be added right away, or after the entire amount of live rock has been added. However, if you wait, and add lighting later, you'll have more of a chance of an algae bloom.

 

[Herefishyfishy]

"Nothing good ever happens fast in a reef"

 

[cali_reef]

I think you should try to add all your sand and rocks at once, during it a little at a time just prolongs the cycling process and cause life (on the rocks and in sand) to die each time you have a spike in Ammonia. Go slow is for post cycling and stocking up the tank.. Having a prolong stinky tank in the house can't be fun.

As for lights, I have always cycled with the lights and schedule I intend to use to light the tank.

 

[mal1099]

like the other people have posted to you go slow. Get yourself some good rock and dont get cheap equipment. I got a few pieces of cheap gear and it cost me double what it should have. So best skimmer you can buy and depending on the animals good powerheads. I have a 60cube that i run 2 mp10s and a vertex i100 skimmer. very happy with these.

 

[akunochi]

Go slow. Adding LR a little at a time will cause a mini cycle each time. I think it is better to get it all and let it cure. That way there is one cycle. You can cycle it hard and you can do a nice aquascape with all the pieces. You need some form of livestock to keep the demand on the bacteria or else it will die.

 

[lvsuckerfish]

+1 with cali reef going slow is dealing with live stock corals fish what not. let you tank cycle with all the live rock and sand you plan on adding in now as it will shorten the cycle time. with fish I would only with a 20 gal add one every 2 weeks and a coral 1 -2 a week. as it will give it time to adjust and you have time to research what Live stock you want to add. and as for equipment buy the best for what you can afford. this is lighting and what ever used is ok also and also I recommend it. as resale is not great in this hobby.and always plan for an upgrade. as it will happen sooner or later.

 

[trido]

"Nothing good ever happens fast in a reef"

But, death almost always happens fast.