reefdude

I have my reef tank set up and has been cycling since 6/13/09. If my live rock is pretty secure, it takes some effort to move or nudge the individual pieces either way, should I still use the marine epoxy to bond them together or will it be fine as is? Currently I don't have any epoxy bonding them and they are pretty snug...

reefdude

... also, when doing a partial water change with only live sand and live rock in the tank, what is the recommended amount to change out? (34 gal. tank, 41 lbs. LR and 40 lbs. sand)

harpua2002

You don't have to use the marine epoxy if you don't want to. I didn't, and the yasha goby and pistol shrimp rearrange a TON of sand in the tank. Still, the rocks haven't moved. I think you'll be ok without the epoxy. I just use it for mounting frags.

Since your tank is still cycling, I don't think you need to do a water change just yet. When it comes time to do one, I'd suggest about 20-25% at a time. We change 20% once or twice a week in our 20 gallon.

reefdude

Thanks for the tip. So, with the water I put in already cycled (RO saltwater) and a majority of the LR already cured what I am looking for is nitrites, ammonia & nitrates all to be at 0? Of course with the pH and salinity in order too?

harpua2002

Using old water isn't really going to help much. The majority of the beneficial microorganisms are found on and in your live rock. Are you cycling your tank with a source of ammonia (pure ammonia or a raw shrimp), or are you just cycling with the die-off from your rock? We ended up buying cured live rock but still chose to cycle with a raw shrimp just to be safe. The tank cycled in about a week.

reefdude

I am just cycling with rock and sand. A raw shrimp will help?

harpua2002

I suppose it's optional, but we just cycled with a shrimp to make sure our bio filter was ready to convert ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. That way we knew that we were ready to add a clean up crew and start small with corals.

One more thing- remember to take it very slowly, especially in the beginning. Just because the tank cycles does not mean it is mature. Our 20 has been set up since November and we're just now getting the sense that it is starting to be stable and mature. It takes months. Ironically, just as the tank is maturing, we are getting ready to upgrade. Go figure, right? LOL

reefdude

So do you have to wait until the tanks mature to add cleaners? This is where I get confused... I know it will take some time to grow the coralline algae on the base rock but I thought if the water was cycled you could add cleaners.

harpua2002

No, you can add the cleanup crew after the tank cycles. Just start slowly and don't go overboard.

reefdude

Excellent. Thanks for your help.

reefdude

Some pics of the tank so far. There is water in it!








I'm starting to see a little algae growing on the backside of the base rock on the left....