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Thread: Starting up a New Tank with a SM100 - Cycling Questions

  1. #1

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    Starting up a New Tank with a SM100 - Cycling Questions

    So, I've started up a new 60 gallon cube with a SM100. I've never cycled a tank with an ATS from the very beginning so I'm not sure what to expect. The only filtration at this point is the ATS. I have a skimmer in the sump but it will probably only be turned on in emergency situations.
    The tank has a good amount of live rock from my previous tank. I would say 80% of the rock is live and there's a couple new pieces of dry rock that I added.
    The ATS has been running for 2 days now (18 hours on, 6 hours off) and it's still completely white. What should I expect as far as growth and cycling?

    Thanks!

  2. #2
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    Re: Starting up a New Tank with a SM100 - Cycling Questions

    That's about it.

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    Re: Starting up a New Tank with a SM100 - Cycling Questions

    Quote Originally Posted by SantaMonica
    That's about it.
    Ummm, What? lol

  4. #4
    kerry's Avatar
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    Re: Starting up a New Tank with a SM100 - Cycling Questions

    I did my last tank with a scrubber from day one and the tank never cycled!!! It was great! I put fish and coral in the second day. I had very small growth starting on about the 3rd day. The growth seemed a little slow compared to an aged tank. All nutrients are zero-ish, the nitrate might bounce to 5PPM after a cleaning but its right back down a day or two later. My growth was not big for about two weeks or so. The best part is never having a cycle, enjoy!
    150G. Reef/Mix
    125G. 3 Regular Oscars/1 Jack Dempsey
    75G. 20+ Africans
    40G. Fish/Reef. Algae Scrubbers on ALL my SW
    10G. SW Fish/Reef.
    10G. SW Hospital/new fish quarantine/pod breeder tank
    6 stage RO/DI system 200 GPD.

  5. #5

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    Re: Starting up a New Tank with a SM100 - Cycling Questions

    Hi Kerry,

    Could you please explain your ATS only setup? Does it utilize live rock or sand, or is it a bare bottom tank using only the ATS for filtering?

    Thanks,

    James

  6. #6
    kerry's Avatar
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    Re: Starting up a New Tank with a SM100 - Cycling Questions

    Yes, its a 40G breeder size. I have about a 2"(ish) sand base with about 15-20lbs of rock so far. I have been slowly adding, I would like to have about 20-30lbs more. The screen is about 9"x6" and lit from both sides and is the only filter on any of my SW tanks. I have two 10G SW tanks with scrubber only as well, one is crushed coral substrate and a few pounds of rock, the other has a round bead type substrate with about 10 pounds of rock. These two small tanks are horizontal screens 2.75"x6.75". The 10G with the crushed coral substrate was also started off from day one with a scrubber and never cycled either.
    150G. Reef/Mix
    125G. 3 Regular Oscars/1 Jack Dempsey
    75G. 20+ Africans
    40G. Fish/Reef. Algae Scrubbers on ALL my SW
    10G. SW Fish/Reef.
    10G. SW Hospital/new fish quarantine/pod breeder tank
    6 stage RO/DI system 200 GPD.

  7. #7

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    Re: Starting up a New Tank with a SM100 - Cycling Questions

    Kerry, thanks for your reply. Is the live rock cycled and thereby handling initial filtration and later supplemented by the scrubber as your screen grows in?

  8. #8

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    Starting up a New Tank with a SM100 - Cycling Questions

    Tanks been running for 6 days now. Scrubbers been running for 3 days. Ammonia - 0
    Nitrites - 0
    Nitrates - 3ppm

    Think it's safe to start adding livestock?

  9. #9
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    Re: Starting up a New Tank with a SM100 - Cycling Questions

    If your going to Reef-A-Palooza this weekend I would hold off on putting livestock in until next week. There is no harm in waiting a few more days.

  10. #10

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    Starting up a New Tank with a SM100 - Cycling Questions

    Ya ace, I think that's the plan. I'll check parameters again on Monday and see where it's at.

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