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View Full Version : When do i add live bacteria


PmPrepGuy
11/22/2008, 08:23 AM
Almost ready to start mixing my salt water to add to my tank only 60g to go :X lol. but was wondering if i have to wait a certain amount of time after i started my tank up and running before i add the couple of pieces of LR or maybe a LB of live sand.

kel2682
11/22/2008, 08:44 AM
Sounds like You're just gettin started so I would say put the sand and rock in and let the cycle begin,I imagine the rock is not cured so it should be enough to start the cycle

PmPrepGuy
11/22/2008, 08:57 AM
So i can add the live bacteria right away ? right now all i have is pretty much base rock

EllieSuz
11/22/2008, 09:02 AM
Yes, once your tank is filled with saltwater set to the correct salinity and temperature, you can add live rock. A lot of us stick a raw shrimp in there too, in order for the bacteria to have something to consume. It speeds things up a bit.

kel2682
11/22/2008, 09:13 AM
Should of mentioned the temp and salinity..Ive heard of the shrimp but the rock should have plenty of die off to start the cycle

crvz
11/22/2008, 09:23 AM
Immediately adding the live rock to seed the tank is a good idea. You can stick the raw shrimp in there for a day or so, but it's not necessary.

PmPrepGuy
11/22/2008, 09:25 AM
okay thanks and about 2 weeks after i get it started i can start adding my snails ?

dwd5813
11/22/2008, 09:38 AM
do you have test kits yet?
if not, get at least ammonia nitrite and nitrate tests and let the tests tell you when you're ready for livestock, not a set amount of time passing. read up on cycling a tank and do that before you start adding livestock.

PmPrepGuy
11/22/2008, 11:28 AM
yeah i know about the cycling i still have my old test kits prolly need new ones but ive just seen other posts saying that two weeks into cycling they added snails

ihavtats29
11/22/2008, 11:36 AM
you should wait till after your cycle to add any live stock, the ammonia and nitrate peaks will most likely kill them

crvz
11/22/2008, 07:32 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13796270#post13796270 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PmPrepGuy
yeah i know about the cycling i still have my old test kits prolly need new ones but ive just seen other posts saying that two weeks into cycling they added snails

while timing can be used as a guide, better to use actual data. Get some test kits and add them after ammonia and nitrite have disappeared from the water column.

dkh0331
11/23/2008, 05:15 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13798723#post13798723 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by crvz
while timing can be used as a guide, better to use actual data. Get some test kits and add them after ammonia and nitrite have disappeared from the water column.

X2.

Every tank is different.

krusty23
11/23/2008, 12:33 PM
woops sorry. posted in the wrong thread.

thecoralreefer
11/23/2008, 12:45 PM
Size of light will not really determine tanks size
I had a 360 gallon tank w/ 1 coralife 150 on it and it did just fine.
The corals were ynder the light and the rest was residual lighting
It really looked cool, like a small outcrop of coral in an emence amont of water. Just like in the ocean !!!
The LPS and softies loved the lower amount of light and there was plenty of swimming room for the fish.
Make the tank the size to fit your room !!!
You can always add more light if you want.

thecoralreefer
11/23/2008, 12:49 PM
I add bacter Vital to every new tank for approx a week
Add some everyday foe 3 days to start your cycle off.
It does seem to help.
I know some people actually add dead fish in a bag.
Put it in the filter and let it rot.
Sounds weird but it does work.