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Lion_posion
02/14/2007, 11:03 PM
Hey guys, I'm starting a new Nano (60lt).
I have been told that I would need 1kg of LR per 10lt of water, so 6kg of LR.
The question is, could I get 4kg of Premium grade LR and 2-3 kg of Base rock, cycling the rock together in tank with new substrate and a cup of substrate (act as seed) from my 8 month old tank.
The Premium LR is semi-cured already, could I feed the tank some frozen Mysis shrimp to kick start a mini cycle.
How long would my cycle take?
Would there be enough bio filtration at this time?
Or should I pay the extra and just buy the 6kg of LR rock?

bertoni
02/14/2007, 11:53 PM
That ratio of premium to base would be fine.

You don't need to feed the tank anything, since you're adding real live rock. The cycle time might be anything from a few minutes to weeks, depending on how much organic debris the live and base rock contain.

Lion_posion
02/15/2007, 12:05 AM
I might grab 5kg of LR and 2 kg of base rock.
How long deos it take for the Bacteria to colanize the Base rock?
and Substrate?

Or would the amount be to much for a 2'x1'x1' tank?

bertoni
02/15/2007, 12:08 AM
I don't think anyone's ever quantified the rate, and it'd probably vary. If you stock up slowly, you shouldn't have any problems.

Lion_posion
02/15/2007, 12:16 AM
As for stocking, I was thinking a fish and 2-3 soft corals per month for 6months.

Is this too fast?

I was only adding 3 fish and maybe 2 shrimp

bertoni
02/15/2007, 12:30 AM
Well, a lot depends on the fish in question. You might get 3 neon goby fish into that size tank, but 3 clowns would be too much. The soft corals can be added as you want, although it's safer to wait a bit, in case of trouble.

Lion_posion
02/15/2007, 12:52 AM
Maybe
1 ocl clown/ cherub angel
1 royal gramma/ bi color blenny
1 goby of some sort

bertoni
02/15/2007, 12:54 AM
I might put one clown or perhaps a royal gramma in that tank. None of the angels would fit, and bicolor blennies are a bit to active, too, in my opinion. This book might help:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1890087890/sr=1-1/qid=1154638453/ref=sr_1_1/103-6119852-4390246?ie=UTF8&s=books

Lion_posion
02/15/2007, 01:10 AM
Those fish are based on a recommendation from a book.

'The new marine Aquarium' by Michael S. Paletta

I just wanted some real life opions of experianced reefers like urself.

bertoni
02/15/2007, 01:36 AM
Paletta recommends that many fish in a 60 liter tank? I'm very surprised.

Lion_posion
02/15/2007, 01:45 AM
a pair of clowns = a cherub Angel
royal gramma = a pair of golden wrasses

so 3-4 fish dependent on species

plus inverts

nyvp
02/15/2007, 07:41 AM
get all but one rock as base dont waste your money. It will save you a lot of money. all of it will be live anyway and less risk of hitchhickers.