just to be clear

[ducati1212]

To cycle a tank that I am going to use live rock in.?

substrate - water - rock all at once..?

or

substrate and water then let cycle then rock.??

a 20 GA tank so I will be getting about 25 lbs of rock..

Also when can I add my hermit crabs and snails?

Thanks

 

[Fluff]

You should add your substrate, water and rock. Use your lr rock to cycle the tank. Once the tank is fully cycled, then you can add your hermits and snails.

 

[ducati1212]

so any life on the live rock will live through the cycle process

 

[RMPD109]

I had a high ammonia spike and had all my hitchers survive.

 

[scuba_steve]

i disagree ! imo its be alot easier on the critters if the tank was some what set up over putting them into brand new water but your choice

 

[Salttanker]

Yeah, your chances of keeping more hitchikers would be to setup your substrate, water, then get the lr in there a few days afterwards. This will give some time for the salinity, temp, and pH to adjust. HTH

Mike

 

[RMPD109]

To help stabalize the rock Most people add the LR before the substrate and the put substrate around it. That will give it some more security from toppleovers. I used the lr to cycle. without it there would not be any cycle started unless you where using another source of ammonia.