littlenano Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 I am setting up my new 40 gal tank, It should have the water in it tonight, finally (rock2) and i am not sure how long i need to cycle it before i can put my corals in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
180Brandy Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 I would wait for at least 4-6 months. If you want to add things like clams I would wait at least 8 months to a year. This however depends on how often you do water changes and what your test readings are especially in ph and nitrates and calcium levels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 I would wait atleast 4 weeks before you even think about anything. It will take roughly that long to cycle the tank, assuming you are starting with everything brand new. After the cycle is complete, at that point I watch the water params. and make sure they are stable and within good range. Then you can add 'hardy' corals like mushrooms and such. Then sps and clams can be added later on, as long as lights are sufficent. Just take your time... patience is your best friend in this hobby. My $.02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 I think it really depends on your system, how much live rock you have, and how "cured" the rock is. Test your water often, and track it. I waited about 4 weeks until I added my first corals (Hammer head, mushrooms, and zoes) to my 36g bowfront (50 total gallons of water with sump). I added my first fish (2 clowns) at the 8 week mark. I started with 60-70 lbs of live rock from The Seahorse. I tested Ammonia, Nitrates, and Nitrites every day for the first 4 weeks, but ever detected a spike in anything. Im guessing its was because all of my rock and sand was from a very well established system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markdadof2 Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 I did about the same thing as Ryan. If you add anything soon then testing and water changes are of major importance, in my mind. I started with live sand and a lot of live rock in my system...waited about 4 weeks before adding anything, then when I did I went real slow....and tested Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 I think, from an absolute point of view, Brandy is right. The longer you can let a tank just sit full of live rock the better. Six months or more is suggested by people like Borneman. I could never wait that long, and would start slowly a couple of weeks after the tank finished cycling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsoz Posted January 12, 2009 Share Posted January 12, 2009 http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-01/eb/index.php Read myth #15. If you can hold to it, you are a better reefer than I am. I made it 3 months and I bought a pair of clowns. I got tired of only watching hermit crabs fight each other over shells. Good luck and take your time. Enjoy your tank in each phase, and don't try to rush to a new phase. Let your tank mature. If you ever come to a meeting (like next Sunday), just let me know and I'll bring a cup of sand to help "seed" your sand bed. It will help with the maturation process. dsoz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albertareef Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-01/eb/index.php Read myth #15. If you can hold to it, you are a better reefer than I am. I made it 3 months and I bought a pair of clowns. I got tired of only watching hermit crabs fight each other over shells. Good luck and take your time. Enjoy your tank in each phase, and don't try to rush to a new phase. Let your tank mature. dsoz Yeah - this is why some of us have been know to cheat and buy mature systems from other more patient reefers (thanks Bob)! Of course, this comes with it's own challenges - like trying to move them without killing everything. DSoz had a good suggestion though as the more live sand/rock etc. you can add the faster your cycling should be. I would take him up on his offer if you can. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 I waited almost 8 months (even though I was told 6) which proved to be quite helpfull. Basically the longer you wait the better your results will be. IMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectra Posted January 13, 2009 Share Posted January 13, 2009 When I got back into it a few years ago I just got some water from an established system (nephew was doing a water change so took some of his old water) Added cured rock and also a bunch of softies on the first day. Tank did great. Do you have a tank to take water from? How much rock do you have to go into it? And last cured rock or not? If a new system then wait but for me I want instant reef(clap) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlenano Posted January 13, 2009 Author Share Posted January 13, 2009 So am i to understand if i add the water from the tank changes i do on my nano to the new tank that is a good thing???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlenano Posted January 13, 2009 Author Share Posted January 13, 2009 I have some good live rock out of Nyles tank but i definitely need more if anyone knows where to get some around our area (Eugene) … Not looking for anything fancy just cheap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spectra Posted January 14, 2009 Share Posted January 14, 2009 If you can get some rock and water from a running system it will help. If done that way the cycle will be almost nothing. I think when I did mine I had almsot no cycle at all. When I pulled my 90 down and switched to a Oceaninc I just bought ne sand and seeded it with a little out of my big tank. Also put in new rock that was cured from a LFS only thing I used form the old tank was the water. Also put in SPS, softies and whatever else I had. Tank turned out great with no issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beckie Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 I could never wait out the 6 mths. After reading and gathering all the hardware I bought live rock, got sand and some water from an aged tank. Tested daily and at the end of week 2 every thing settle in with great readings. I then added some zoos and a few soft corals. Every thing is doing great. Lots of great advise here, keep reading and learning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
180Brandy Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 One thing to remember is the cost factor. If you get a expensive piece and it dies in your tank money waisted. Better to wait and increase the chances for survival rate. I know its really hard to wait. Your patience will be rewarded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishiefish Posted January 15, 2009 Share Posted January 15, 2009 garret in salem has live rock for sale pretty cheap and its seeded good stuff...see his ad in the classifieds I'm going up there saturday and have no problem picking some up for you if prearranged with him. if it works out give me a ring I'll pm you my number Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 If you have water from a current system you should be able to make the move relatively quickly. See above post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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