Love your videos, quick question when you add in your one and only ben bacteria, doesnt it then need a small amount food source like ammonia chloride to continue to live?
2 Infinity N Beyond Hi! These are all great questions. I mixed salt with my RODI water. I’m not going to do a water change until after month 2. That’s when I’ll do a 100% water change. Maybe dose some more bacteria as well.
@@PetmaluLife if you added bacteria when you started and only added the food supply 2 months later then waste of time. better to have added the shrimp right when you added the bacteria
@@xclusivereef5805 That is correct. I could have added the food source during the initial cure/cycle. However, I decided to use the first two months to completely clear any existing debris. By adding more bacteria and it's food source after the two months, I got to begin the full cycle knowing all dead organics have been removed. As you may know, Pukani is known for having lots of dead organics in its crevices. Thanks for watching!
Hello. I new to this hobby. I am following all of ur steps right away kkk but should i cute and cycle my dry sand with dry rock that is in the bucket. Also once i u put shrimp in the bucket should u change it once a week or something? Great series of videos
Hi! That's exciting. Welcome to the hobby. It's a fun a very fulfilling hobby. Don't ever get discouraged if something goes wrong. You learn as you go. To answer you question, I only cured and cycled my rock in the bucket/trash can. I did not add any sand. I purchased live sand in which I placed in my tank once the rock was cycled. I'm sure you probably could cycle sand too but I don't think it's necessary. I cured the rock with bacteria for two months, and then I did a 100% water changed, added a shrimp and did 10% water changes every other week until for another two months. Since my tank wasn't ready yet, the rock ended up cycling for another two months. So total start to finish, was 6 months. 4 months is totally fine though. Thanks for watching the videos!
Hi. I have a couple of questions. #1 Can you do the cycle in your tank rather than a brute trash can? I know you mentioned you are cycling it in a closed container because you dont want any algae growth. Lets say will not turn on any light in my tank, would that still be possible? #2 Lets say i cured it with bleach and everything is good to go. Will that shorten the cycling process? #3 last question. Did you do any addition of water during the first 2 months? I know water evaporates and salt doesnt. So did you add any water to keep the salinity normal? Im new to this hobby and was given a used 120gal reef tank and I want to do it right the first time. Thank you for your help.
Hi Im a newbie. Im curing my rocks right now. Didn’t add bacteria tho. 1. Can I add bacteria at the 2 months mark after 100% water change? 2. Do you test your water through out the 4 months? 3. Do you recommend changing water or just let it sit 2 months then do 100% water change? Thanks
Welcome to the hobby! Are you curing and cycling rocks in a separate bin or container? I recommend putting bacteria in right away so you can start the process, in addition to bacteria you’ll want to add an ammonia source. You use purchase a large shrimp from the grocery store or use Dr. Tim’s ammonium chloride and place it in the bin with the rocks and bacteria. Be sure to follow the instructions if you use Dr. Tim’s ammonium chloride. I would then do a 100% water change at the 2 month mark and then continue cycling for another 2 months. I wouldn’t even worry about testing, between the bacteria and the ammonia source the cycle will automatically do it’s thing. Make sure you use a container that doesn’t let any light in to prevent any algae from growing on the rocks. After 4 months your rocks should be cycled and you should be able to place them into your tank. No need to use any of the water from the bin. Just used 100% née water in the tank. Best of luck!
@@PetmaluLife thanks for the advice. Im curing the rock in a brute trash can with lids so there’s no light. My plan was to cure it first because the rock was previously live and let dry from my friend’s tank so not very good quality. I can see dead/dried stuff on the surface of it. Once finished curing, I will start cycling it in my actual tank. Would you recommend this? I have plenty of time to take it really slow. I do not want to mix between curing and cycling cause it might risk having unwanted bacteria it pest.
It’s great that you’re doing it in Brute, just like me. You can actually cure and cycle at the same time. That’s what I would recommend. Then you won’t have to wait for the cycle in your tank. Once your tank is set up you can add your rocks which will already be cycled/seeded and good to go. I would recommend a min of four months in the container before putting them in your tank.
I took lots of photos and video of my aquascape the first time I created it outside the tank. However, when I started aquascaping in my tank I knew I wanted to make some adjustments to it so I actually created a whole new aquascape. I wanted a more minimalist look.
Hi There! There is no reason to use a skimmer why cycling. You want as much good bacteria to grow as possible. Turning on the skimmer will defeat the purpose.
Hi! Thanks for watching! I’ve been using Tropic Marin for several years now for my nano tank so I always have it on hand. That’s one of the main reasons why I used it. Secondly, since I plan to use Tropic Marin on my 100g, I thought it be best to keep the water consistent from day 1. You probably could use another less expensive brand for curing/cooking, I personally like to keep things consistent.
Should I cure Reef Saver dry live rock I bought from bulk reef supply? I’m not sure if I need to or not. I planned on building my aqua scape and gluing it together then if I had to, cure it. Will curing prevent higher nitrate/phosphate levels in the future? Thanks
Hi! It is always a good idea cure and cycle dry rock. The longer the better IMO. I ended up curing/cycling for nearly 6 months In your case, since you plan on glueing rocks together, it might be a good idea to do that first then cure and cycle after you've completed your aquascape. Curing will help the beneficial bacteria grow on the rock which will help eat the bad bacteria later down the road. The problem with curing and cycling rocks prior to aquascaping is that you don't have that much time to expose the rocks in the air. It could potentially kill all the good bacteria that's grown on your rocks. Let me know how it goes!
@@PetmaluLife HI, thank you so much for the advice! it really helped me decide what to do. I decided I will create my aquascape first and have it all glued then put it in a barrel to cure it for a few months. hopefully it won't be too heavy and I can get it out and into my tank without dropping it haha, ill try to separate the scape in two or more pieces to make it easier.
@@leongorani5121 That's awesome. Glad I was able to help. Yeah, it's a tough decision but I think you made the right one. Yeah, you should be fine breaking it into seperate sections. What did you use to glue the rocks? How big will your tank be? Looking forward to your updates!
@@PetmaluLife yeah it will be worth it in the future. I used E-Marco 400 cement and superglue to put the scape together, still working on it haha. I got a Red Sea 170 late last year so I've been trying to work on it as much as I can. if you want my reef Instagram is @alb_reefer, ill eventually be posting more of my build on there :)
Love your videos, quick question when you add in your one and only ben bacteria, doesnt it then need a small amount food source like ammonia chloride to continue to live?
Man I miss Pukani rock.
Very nice video, what kind of dry rock do you use if i may to ask ? Do you know-how carib sea rock ?
Thank you very much! I used dry pukani rock.
Asking for a friend 😂 did you use dechlorinated water or Rodi to cure your dry rock?👍 did you do a weekly water change or none?
2 Infinity N Beyond Hi! These are all great questions. I mixed salt with my RODI water. I’m not going to do a water change until after month 2. That’s when I’ll do a 100% water change. Maybe dose some more bacteria as well.
@@PetmaluLife what are you using as a food source for the bacteria?
Sean Berry Hey Sean! I did a 100% water change, added more bacteria and dropped in in a wild caught shrimp as the ammonia (food) source two months in.
@@PetmaluLife if you added bacteria when you started and only added the food supply 2 months later then waste of time. better to have added the shrimp right when you added the bacteria
@@xclusivereef5805 That is correct. I could have added the food source during the initial cure/cycle. However, I decided to use the first two months to completely clear any existing debris. By adding more bacteria and it's food source after the two months, I got to begin the full cycle knowing all dead organics have been removed. As you may know, Pukani is known for having lots of dead organics in its crevices. Thanks for watching!
Hello. I new to this hobby. I am following all of ur steps right away kkk but should i cute and cycle my dry sand with dry rock that is in the bucket.
Also once i u put shrimp in the bucket should u change it once a week or something?
Great series of videos
Hi! That's exciting. Welcome to the hobby. It's a fun a very fulfilling hobby. Don't ever get discouraged if something goes wrong. You learn as you go. To answer you question, I only cured and cycled my rock in the bucket/trash can. I did not add any sand. I purchased live sand in which I placed in my tank once the rock was cycled. I'm sure you probably could cycle sand too but I don't think it's necessary. I cured the rock with bacteria for two months, and then I did a 100% water changed, added a shrimp and did 10% water changes every other week until for another two months. Since my tank wasn't ready yet, the rock ended up cycling for another two months. So total start to finish, was 6 months. 4 months is totally fine though. Thanks for watching the videos!
Hi. I have a couple of questions.
#1 Can you do the cycle in your tank rather than a brute trash can? I know you mentioned you are cycling it in a closed container because you dont want any algae growth. Lets say will not turn on any light in my tank, would that still be possible?
#2 Lets say i cured it with bleach and everything is good to go. Will that shorten the cycling process?
#3 last question. Did you do any addition of water during the first 2 months? I know water evaporates and salt doesnt. So did you add any water to keep the salinity normal?
Im new to this hobby and was given a used 120gal reef tank and I want to do it right the first time. Thank you for your help.
Hi Im a newbie. Im curing my rocks right now. Didn’t add bacteria tho.
1. Can I add bacteria at the 2 months mark after 100% water change?
2. Do you test your water through out the 4 months?
3. Do you recommend changing water or just let it sit 2 months then do 100% water change? Thanks
Welcome to the hobby! Are you curing and cycling rocks in a separate bin or container? I recommend putting bacteria in right away so you can start the process, in addition to bacteria you’ll want to add an ammonia source. You use purchase a large shrimp from the grocery store or use Dr. Tim’s ammonium chloride and place it in the bin with the rocks and bacteria. Be sure to follow the instructions if you use Dr. Tim’s ammonium chloride. I would then do a 100% water change at the 2 month mark and then continue cycling for another 2 months. I wouldn’t even worry about testing, between the bacteria and the ammonia source the cycle will automatically do it’s thing. Make sure you use a container that doesn’t let any light in to prevent any algae from growing on the rocks. After 4 months your rocks should be cycled and you should be able to place them into your tank. No need to use any of the water from the bin. Just used 100% née water in the tank. Best of luck!
@@PetmaluLife thanks for the advice. Im curing the rock in a brute trash can with lids so there’s no light. My plan was to cure it first because the rock was previously live and let dry from my friend’s tank so not very good quality. I can see dead/dried stuff on the surface of it. Once finished curing, I will start cycling it in my actual tank. Would you recommend this? I have plenty of time to take it really slow. I do not want to mix between curing and cycling cause it might risk having unwanted bacteria it pest.
It’s great that you’re doing it in Brute, just like me. You can actually cure and cycle at the same time. That’s what I would recommend. Then you won’t have to wait for the cycle in your tank. Once your tank is set up you can add your rocks which will already be cycled/seeded and good to go. I would recommend a min of four months in the container before putting them in your tank.
@@PetmaluLife thanks. Sorry to hear about your leak. Cant wait to see update on your. Next episode
Cant i dose ammonia during cycling my dry rock?
Did you really remember your aquascape after you cured the rock?
I took lots of photos and video of my aquascape the first time I created it outside the tank. However, when I started aquascaping in my tank I knew I wanted to make some adjustments to it so I actually created a whole new aquascape. I wanted a more minimalist look.
You didn't add any food for the bacteria....
Also you dont use a skimmer ? Most ppl Say have to use it ..( dont know why actually)
Hi There! There is no reason to use a skimmer why cycling. You want as much good bacteria to grow as possible. Turning on the skimmer will defeat the purpose.
Why’d you use good salt to cure the rock? Use the cheap stuff and save some cash when curing/cooking!
Hi! Thanks for watching! I’ve been using Tropic Marin for several years now for my nano tank so I always have it on hand. That’s one of the main reasons why I used it. Secondly, since I plan to use Tropic Marin on my 100g, I thought it be best to keep the water consistent from day 1. You probably could use another less expensive brand for curing/cooking, I personally like to keep things consistent.
Should I cure Reef Saver dry live rock I bought from bulk reef supply? I’m not sure if I need to or not.
I planned on building my aqua scape and gluing it together then if I had to, cure it. Will curing prevent higher nitrate/phosphate levels in the future? Thanks
Hi! It is always a good idea cure and cycle dry rock. The longer the better IMO. I ended up curing/cycling for nearly 6 months In your case, since you plan on glueing rocks together, it might be a good idea to do that first then cure and cycle after you've completed your aquascape. Curing will help the beneficial bacteria grow on the rock which will help eat the bad bacteria later down the road. The problem with curing and cycling rocks prior to aquascaping is that you don't have that much time to expose the rocks in the air. It could potentially kill all the good bacteria that's grown on your rocks. Let me know how it goes!
@@PetmaluLife HI, thank you so much for the advice! it really helped me decide what to do. I decided I will create my aquascape first and have it all glued then put it in a barrel to cure it for a few months. hopefully it won't be too heavy and I can get it out and into my tank without dropping it haha, ill try to separate the scape in two or more pieces to make it easier.
@@leongorani5121 That's awesome. Glad I was able to help. Yeah, it's a tough decision but I think you made the right one. Yeah, you should be fine breaking it into seperate sections. What did you use to glue the rocks? How big will your tank be? Looking forward to your updates!
@@PetmaluLife yeah it will be worth it in the future. I used E-Marco 400 cement and superglue to put the scape together, still working on it haha. I got a Red Sea 170 late last year so I've been trying to work on it as much as I can. if you want my reef Instagram is @alb_reefer, ill eventually be posting more of my build on there :)
y so long 🤔
y so long 🤔