[dan_in_mi]

I am a beginner to salt water. I have a 65 gallon tank with a 29 gallon refugium, with the plan of having a reef tank! I have 40 pounds of live sand and 20 pounds of crushed coral.I am going to have to put live rock on hold for a couple of weeks due to shortage of cash, but can I start my tank cycling and add the live rock after I get it? Any feed back or tips on cycling or anything at that matter would be greatly appreciated!!!!

[glampka]

Sand ok. Crushed coral - not ok. The crushed coral will hold dirt. If it's on the bottom of the tank & the sand on top of it, it might not be so bad but if you can get it out I would & replace with sand. Your cycling depends heavily on the rock - that is where the beneficial bacteria is at. The tank won't really start cycling until the rock gets in there. Also it's a very good idea to put the rock in first & the sand after that. Should you get burrowing fish, you now risk your rock toppling over as they dig underneath it.

[dan_in_mi]

I read on line to put coarse sand or crushed coral under the live sand in the refuguim. As far as the cycling goes, I thought I would have to wait but I was hoping I could get the bus rolling. I cant wait to get going!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!Thanks for the info

[dan_in_mi]

Can I start cycling with 2 or 3 pieces of live rock and add later????

[jpmwjm]

I'm real new at this also. It was suggested to me by others, both locally and online to get as much live rock as you can to start off with. Because after the cycling process, any more additions will need to be fully cured rock and be placed in a little at a time to allow the tank to adapt. I also recieved a tip to use the eggcrate panel (that used in the drop ceiling lighting panels, can be found at lowes or home depot), along with a couple pieces of pvc pipe, to make a platform for the rock. You cut the pvc to fit, laying flat. Then you attach it to a cut to size piece of the eggcrate with plastic zip ties. You put this in with the pvc on the bottom, fill your sand up to the top of the crate, add your rock, then add the rest of your sand. They said this allows the borrowing creatures to work the sand under the rock, but still leaves the rock with a good support. So you can have a larger volume of sand without dead spots. I did this myself. I guess I'll see if it works well or not.

[Taras1]

Originally Posted by jpmwjm

I'm real new at this also. It was suggested to me by others, both locally and online to get as much live rock as you can to start off with. Because after the cycling process, any more additions will need to be fully cured rock and be placed in a little at a time to allow the tank to adapt. I also recieved a tip to use the eggcrate panel (that used in the drop ceiling lighting panels, can be found at lowes or home depot), along with a couple pieces of pvc pipe, to make a platform for the rock. You cut the pvc to fit, laying flat. Then you attach it to a cut to size piece of the eggcrate with plastic zip ties. You put this in with the pvc on the bottom, fill your sand up to the top of the crate, add your rock, then add the rest of your sand. They said this allows the borrowing creatures to work the sand under the rock, but still leaves the rock with a good support. So you can have a larger volume of sand without dead spots. I did this myself. I guess I'll see if it works well or not.

Hey. This sounds like a great idea Anyone else try this?