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my350z
12/30/2008, 01:31 PM
Need help! New to the hobby and just have a few questions. I'm in the middle of setting my tank. A week ago I added water, checked entire system for leaks and proper water flow. Everything appears to be fine. I added live sand, some base rock and a few pieces of live rock. I will like to know if for now this is sufficient to cycle tank. At this time I'am not running my skimmer (Aqua C) since I was told that I needed to wait until cycle period was completed before I could start using it. Also need to know if during the cycle period any lighting need to be used.

Thanks!

spleify
12/30/2008, 01:35 PM
How much rock did you put in? Did you use any sand from an established tank to seed your sand bed? If not try and get some.

Turn the skimmer on. Turn the lights on for at least a couple of hours a day, start enjoying it.

my350z
12/30/2008, 01:52 PM
I put in about 25 Lbs Live rock and 25 lbs base rock. I put in approx 120 lbs CaribSea live sand.

spleify
12/30/2008, 01:58 PM
I would try and get your hands on more LR, and check around the local forums for someone that will give you a cup or two of sand out of there tank to seed your sand and help kick the system.

my350z
12/30/2008, 02:05 PM
How much more LR for now? I'm taking your advice and will go to get a few cups of sand from my local store. Thanks!

gnorts
12/30/2008, 02:10 PM
usually you need any where from 1 pound per gallon of water to 1.5 pounds per gallon of water for suffient filtration. What you have now is 50 lbs in a 215 gallon tank.

marks4470
12/30/2008, 02:15 PM
I have a 90 gallon with 120 pounds of live rock and it seems to be running great (except for hair algae), so I would go with at least 230 pound of LR at a minimum.