Cycle complete on new 75 gal FOWLR... one more question.

[cr500_af]

Well, I have made a timeline error. I didn't expect my cycle to finish so quickly. I still have about 30-40 more pounds of rock to acquire to finish it up.

If I add LR, I know I'll cause another cycle of some type. If I've got it right, I have a few choices:

1) Get more LR now and ride the cycle out.
2) Get "non-live" rock (whether it is "killed" LR or man made) and let it become live as it ages, with the 40 pounds I have do the job for now.
3) Get LR now but cure it in another container, and let the rock that is in there suffice for now.

I'm interested in opinions... you guys are the experts and I'm "SuperNoob".

FWIW, right now the tank is NOT stocked other than a few hitchhikers that have made it through the cycle. I have no sump, no PF running, just heat, PHs and skimmer. 40 lbs of store-bought live sand over CC was the substrate from day one.

Last night, the water params were:
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 10
Ph: 7.9 (has been this the whole time)
SG: 1.023

I have still not done a "post-cycle" water change because I need to pick up more salt tomorrow, but I will do a 25-30 gallon change in the next couple of days.

 

[kirru]

If it isn't live I say just throw it in there. I've done that with my tank with no ill effects and still need to add some more to fill in some gaps.

If it is live and its been in water I doubt there will be much die off to cause a cycle. If you have nothing in there I don't see how it will hurt anything. Just check parameters before adding anything really.

 

[chymos45]

Also may want to bump your SG up a tad...

As far as your choices above, all of them should work, and the ultimate decision boils down to your patience. FWIW, my vote would be for #1. Of course, this will take the longest, but nothing good happens fast.

 

[glxtrix]

Chymos45;308203 wrote: Also may want to bump your SG up a tad..

x2.

As far as rock...I'd get dry rock to add, unless you want to spend money on LR to add. Either option works, as stated above, all depends on when you want to start adding livestock.

 

[cr500_af]

Chymos45;308203 wrote: Also may want to bump your SG up a tad...

As far as your choices above, all of them should work, and the ultimate decision boils down to your patience. FWIW, my vote would be for #1. Of course, this will take the longest, but nothing good happens fast.

I plan to do just that on this partial water change.

I'm leaning toward option 1 as well, but I also have budget to consider. I've been trying to locate LR from an existing tank to buy, but I've either been late on the draw or it's too far to practically go pick up.

LR @ a LFS can get pricey for my meager funds!

 

[chymos45]

There always seems to be tear-downs going on and if you keep looking, I am sure some LR will turn up for you.
As you stated, your other option is getting dry rock and letting your existing LR seed it.