Would this be ok, starting my 180 gal, first time cycle.

[1brent1]

I have all my water mixed & ready (from RO/DI unit). I didn't have enough water storage so conveniently I filled and mix a 1/4 of the water right in the tank. Have the rest in large trash cans.

next, I was going to add my playsand. Let it settle and then the next day add the rest of my water all my live rock (180 lbs) and 60 lbs of Hi online Baserock. I also have 40 lbs of live sand I was going to throw in at that time.

The 40 lbs of live sand is currently underneath the 180 lbs of live rock which is all in a large trash can in my basement, with pumps/heaters. I've been doing the best at maintaining the LR & LS but its been down there for a couple months so I know and can see a lot of die off. The 60 lbs of Hirocks.com Baserock is still packaged in the nice shipping box it came in, surprisingly all 60 lbs of it, (I'll rinse it before adding to tank).

How does that sound? Should I have my ASM G4 Protein Skimmer running & UV Sterilizer on during the cycle?

I also read the Aquarium Advice article "How to cycle your tank with out the use of fish" which mentions putting in some Raw Shrimp from the grocery store. Will I really need to do that? If so how much should I add?

All your help is greatly appreciated!

Here's a couple photos of my setup (180gal, 40gal sump/refuge) Will post more updated ones soon-
http://www.partydamage.com/fishtank/09.jpg
http://www.partydamage.com/fishtank/s-03.jpg
http://www.partydamage.com/fishtank/s-04.jpg -plumbing has since been changed a little from pic, after tested.
http://www.partydamage.com/fishtank/05.jpg

 

[Reese]

Cute kid. I'd take him out of there before you add water. But everything sounds/looks good to me. But I'd wait for some of the more experienced people to reply if I were you. Good luck...

 

[hackteck]

lol

 

[melosu58]

Sounds like a plan. Yes you can use the water from old tank and yes follow directions on fishless cycle. When you get to the rock with a die- off rinse it good in some salt water and try to get as much of die off as possible.

 

[1brent1]

When you get to the rock with a die- off rinse it good in some salt water and try to get as much of die off as possible.

I see a couple that are turning white. I take it thats the die off? Do I keep rinsing it with saltwater, until what??

Thanks again for your help!!

 

[BillyZ]

actually things that are turning black are what you should be concerned with. something that's white is likely dead, but also not rotting so its not a concern.

For a 180 gallon with a hefty sump, I would add probably 2, maybe 3 uncooked, preferebly unfrozen, cocktail sized shrimp. Basically you need to keep the ammonia supply going until your cycle is complete and you're ready to add fish. If the ammonia supply in the tank drops then the bacteria colonies that feed on it will dwindle and could lead you into an ammonia spike when you do add fish.