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Maxxumless · 01/08/2014, 08:34 PM

Depends on the heater and the starting temp. As for the lights, I'd keep them off during cycling. Diatoms are going to come no matter what you do. If you used RO/DI water and do a 20-30% water change (again w/ RO/DI) after the cycle, you'll minimize any algae blooms. Toss the Bio-Wheel too - just run without it. The LR and sand should be enough, but if you want a boost to your biological filtration use SeaChem's Matrix in a small bag inside the filter. The Bio-Wheel is oxygen rich, which aerobic bacteria love, but your real shortage will be the kind of bacteria that doesn't like oxygen, where Matrix comes in.

01/08/2014, 08:34 PM	#14
Maxxumless To the Max... Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 2,364	Depends on the heater and the starting temp. As for the lights, I'd keep them off during cycling. Diatoms are going to come no matter what you do. If you used RO/DI water and do a 20-30% water change (again w/ RO/DI) after the cycle, you'll minimize any algae blooms. Toss the Bio-Wheel too - just run without it. The LR and sand should be enough, but if you want a boost to your biological filtration use SeaChem's Matrix in a small bag inside the filter. The Bio-Wheel is oxygen rich, which aerobic bacteria love, but your real shortage will be the kind of bacteria that doesn't like oxygen, where Matrix comes in.