Correct Steps?

[sinner]

hi guys,

i would like to know if the following steps are correct:

1. add sand for DSB then water after which i'll add salt.

Question: would it be fine if i add the water then salt?

2. turn on air pump, filter etc etc...

Question: should i turn on my protein skimmer?

3. after 1 day when the SG is fine adding of LR direct from LFS without curing...

Question 1: should i add the LR now to cycle the tank?

Question 2: i read a tread here something to mention about the die off from the LR helps cycle the tank can it be applied for a new tank?

Question 3: should i purchase all the LR i need at once or should i buy bit by bit?

4. after 4-6weeks measure water chemistry... everything's fine... start adding LS one at a time?

Question: correct? or wrong?

guys i would really appreciate if you could aid me ...

Cheeros~

[Clownfish]

The protein skimmer shldnt be turned on first... this is to cultivate beneficial bacteria...

Be very careful when adding uncured LR... when there is a mass die-off and the water smells very foul.... u hav to use a brush to scrap off the white, waxy thingy.... therefore, choose ur LR carefully!

Have fun... Cheers!

[shiraz]

if u intend to self mix your water, do it before hand after letting the water run for awhile.... if i add sand then water then salt, the salt will sink to the bottom of your tank and be part of the DSB so premix the water then fill up the tank then add sand or add the sand before water up to u... either way, the water will become cloudy.... u can add ur lr anytime u wish but it will be better if u add them all at 1 shot and not build it up slowly.. once ur tank is cycled and u add in more LR, it will create a new mini-cycle (like what i've always experienced) the die offs from the lr does help but if u wanna have a faster cycle, add a market prawn into the tank..

hope this helps!

[sinner]

eeh if i dun add market prawn and leave the tank empty where would the ammonia be coming from? lets just say there's no die offs from the LR?

[Air]

got live rock mah. i think all living things will produce waste ba....think onli not confirm

[Achilles Tang]

Maybe I can shed some light on the logic of LR aiding the cycling process.

A sterile tank will remain sterile for a long long time until eventually bacteria will begin to colonise the water with ample populations.

Using LR,

1. There is bacteria present on LR and these will migrate to the sandbed, glass walls, filtration system like bioballs etc, and eventually there will be enough of different kinds of bacteria to do their job.

1. Because the water is new with some parameters out of whack like salinity, PH, calcium etc or due to shipping stress, some of the sensitive microlife and macrolife like sponges, algae etc on the LR will die, producing ammonia to help kick start the cycle and help the various bacteria to bloom and process the various stages of the nitrogen cycle.

If the LR is of good quality and there is no die-off, and therefore too little ammonia to start the cycling process... using a fresh/frozen prawn purchased from the wet market and allowing it to decompose will guarantee ammonia production, kickstarting the cycling process.

Some reefers introduce ammonia purchased from labs to kickstart it or pour in flake/pellet/frozen food to allow them to rot.

A unrecommended way is to use livestock like hermit crabs or damselfish to produce ammonia. Please refrain from subjecting your pets to such conditions.

[sinner]

it is all making sense!!! thanks AT!!!