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[fcastrofilippo]

Hello all,

New to this whole wonderful obsession. I have a 75 gallon saltwater set up. I bought a used amiracle sump. I have a marineland 100 insump protein skimmer. Two maxi-jet 1200 powerheads. 60 pounds of base rock, 60 lbs of pink samoa sand and no fish yet.

I just started the waiting game last weekend. I plan on buying some live rock (about 20 lbs) this weekend to seed the tank. A local aquarium shop told me I can add a grouper to help speed up the seeding process. Any thoughts?

I am really excited about all this, and plan to ask lots of questions.



Frank

 

[Innovator]

Do not add any fish as this is not considered a humane way to cycle a tank. Purchase uncured liverock to provide the ammonia source and jumpstart your cycle.

Oh and welcome to AA

 

[Ziggy953]

Welcome to AA and the Salt water obsession!!!

I would stick with the plan you have set for yourself. Adding a fish to speed up the cycle is just going to hurt the fish. Adding some LR and a raw cocktail shrimp will get your cycle going.

Go to the article section of the site and read about cycling your tank.

 

[goisles1]

Frank,

Just replied to your LI thread.. I took Ziggy's and the rest of the crews advice and did a fishless cycle. I went off without a hitch.

I added a piece of shrimp but I don't even think I needed it. I had 50lbs of LR that I ordered online and the die-off pretty much cycled my tank. It took around 3-4 weeks to complete then I added some fish. My numbers have been great.. Ammonia and Nitrites are pegged at zero even though I'm making the traditional rookie mistakes like over-feeding. But my bacteria seems to be able to handle the added bio-load with no problems.

And.. Of Course... WELCOME to AA.. .

 

[fcastrofilippo]

Here is a pic of my tank set up with all of the base and live rock.

 

[jim692]

welcome to AA!

 

[neilanh]

Welcome to AA!

Make sure those rocks aren't going to get tipped over and crush any future inhabitants.

 

[mike47517]

welcome to AA ^agreed

 

[melosu58]

Welcome aboard. When you do the cycle do it the fishless way. Read this.

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/articles/articles/3/1/Cycle-your-salt-tank/Page1.html

 

[Zagz]

Welcome to AA!