Cycling with live rock

[JoshsReef]

Reef Rock | Pet Solutions

Here is a pretty good deal on base rock, 50 pounds for sixty dollars, and they will ship it to you for ten dollars. If your going to be buying skimmer or anything else online anytime soon I would consider ordering this base rock, you cant beat it for price and it can be added to your system at anytime.

[catmel]

Good, I was hoping I could wait a week to get the skimmer. I want to be able to afford a decent one. I'll certainly have enough money then. I have my live rock on order, it should be here tomorrow, so hense no skimmer yet. As long as it will be ok for a week with no skimmer, I'm fine with that.

Would the octupus 110 be good enough for a 55 gal or should I get the next one up?
also the coral life super skimmer is on fosters & smith for $103 - 65 gal.. although the octupus would probably be a better skimmer for the price? Ive read people seem to like both.

And too seems to be only after cycling i need to worry about a decent size PCW, correct?

thanks again for the help

[cmor1701d]

The Octopus 11o should be fine for that tank.
Wait till the cycle is over and then do a 30% - 50% water change. Don't worry about the water parameters during the cycle. Just check the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels every few days to see where you are in the cycle.

I'm one that doesn't run a PS or do PWC's during the cycle.

[melosu58]

I would also suggest washing the rock off in some SW first and then add to the tank. Cycling the tank and curing the rock at the same time. We have some nice articles in our SW article section on cycling and curing. Good Luck on the adventure.

[catmel]

Thats what I intend to do .. cure / cycling with the live rock

No one answered one of my earlier questions though - my live rock should be due in tomorrow. How long is it ok to keep it in the shipping box outside? Ideally I know into the tank asap is ideal but given that its about 60 degrees, partially cloudy outside? I should be able to get out of work for lunch, and hopefully its arrived by 2-3pm, but if not is another 2-4 hours going to hurt it? I know it might create more die off which can be good for a cycle.. right? Just want to make sure. Worse comes to worse I can have my boyfriend stop by to check if its arrived yet..

thanks again for the kindness/ help

[roka64]

You can track it on the web right? A few hours more won't hurt. You will be surprised at what will grow back.

[catmel]

Yep, just checked the tracker - it left L.A a few hours ago is the most recent update. I guess ill just have to check it tomorrow to get a better idea. Good to know that it should be ok.

[cmor1701d]

You are using it for cycling so a few hours extra won't hurt. There will be a minimal amount of additional die off. The better to kick the cycle with

[melosu58]

As the others said a few hrs will not matter.

[catmel]

Thanks for the help so far Ive got my rock just fine. I have to say I was very happy with it - I got one wonderful rock, pretty good size, with a cave right in it. Im sure the fish will love it when I get them. The others were nice too, but that one was really neat. Ill certainly post pics when I get them taken.

Right now I have about 60# of live rock. It typically takes about 4-6 weeks cycling, right? I tested ammonia levels this afternoon, it looks like its between 0 and 0.25 ppm not quite yellow for 0 and not quite light green for 0.25. A good start for just 4 days I'd think?