New 120

[runyonh]

So I am starting my new 120 and was wondering. How much live rock do I have to add to my dead rock to get it to cycle? Is just a pound ok to start out, im not in a hurry. Also do I have to run my lights or could I lever them off?

[RobbyVonAwesome]

I would do about 20% cycled rock, 80% dry rock. That's enough to be cost effective and get a diversity of life in your rock.

You don't need to run the lights during cycle.

[RobbyVonAwesome]

Oh, and good luck with the new tank!

[eros]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14975134#post14975134 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by runyonh
Is just a pound ok to start out

You will need more than 1 pound. 80-100 would be good.

[jayk198030]

IMO any amount of cured live rock would be OK. More would be better of course. I use seachem reef builder on my none cured man made rocks and it helps a lot. It definitely speeds the process up some. And leave your lights on 6 to 12 hours. The light needs to be on for some time.

[runyonh]

Thanks for the advice, does anyone know if puting a dead shrimp in works.

[mark728]

Hi I used approx 130lbs of Marco rock in my 120 tech and I seeded it with 12lbs of live Fiji and everything went great now at 7 months my Marco is 80% covered in purple coralline algae.

[mark728]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14978475#post14978475 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by runyonh
Thanks for the advice, does anyone know if puting a dead shrimp in works.

I feel you will get better and faster results with about 10-lbs of liverock and you will introduce pods ,good bacteria ,coralline algae,all types of good stuff trust me do the liverock ,click the red house on top to see my tank .