HI everyone, I am new to the hobby and feeling very overwhelmed for the last month with all the reading and different ways to handle cycling and such.
I bought a used 130 gallon glass tank, with a monster of a protien skimmer (I do not know the make) a pump. 2 sumps (1 with the skimmer) and one with some live chaeto and rocks (all came in there and was covered in the previous owners aquarium water). 2 overflows 4 power heads and a massive light system. The rock was kept in a covered tupperware container wet and sand was damp but not soaked. On one rock there is a small amount of algea and on another is a peanut worm hanging out there.
The tank went up Sunday 02/03/2013. It is clear and settled and my worm guy seems to be just hanging out like youtube says he should, lol.
I have read a lot on starting a cycle with ammonia; (the raw shrimp thing I have read is not good because there is no way to control the params, the live fish thing is just scary) So first if the rock was not dry, do I need to jump start a cycle? How can I tell if there was any life left in the rocks other than this worm? My Salinity is on point right now, although it is early I know, my nitrate and nitrites are ok, temp is 79 (I think) and I am showing no ammonia.
Can someone tell me how this works since I am using a previous reef setup? I do not know exactly how long he had it down but I would assume a little over a week?
Thanks
I bought a used 130 gallon glass tank, with a monster of a protien skimmer (I do not know the make) a pump. 2 sumps (1 with the skimmer) and one with some live chaeto and rocks (all came in there and was covered in the previous owners aquarium water). 2 overflows 4 power heads and a massive light system. The rock was kept in a covered tupperware container wet and sand was damp but not soaked. On one rock there is a small amount of algea and on another is a peanut worm hanging out there.
The tank went up Sunday 02/03/2013. It is clear and settled and my worm guy seems to be just hanging out like youtube says he should, lol.
I have read a lot on starting a cycle with ammonia; (the raw shrimp thing I have read is not good because there is no way to control the params, the live fish thing is just scary) So first if the rock was not dry, do I need to jump start a cycle? How can I tell if there was any life left in the rocks other than this worm? My Salinity is on point right now, although it is early I know, my nitrate and nitrites are ok, temp is 79 (I think) and I am showing no ammonia.
Can someone tell me how this works since I am using a previous reef setup? I do not know exactly how long he had it down but I would assume a little over a week?
Thanks