Cycling New Tank but with Live Rocks from the Ocean?

[BadObsession]

Hello guys. I just got back to the hobby after 30 years(teenage years), and I am basically relearning.

Anyway, I already ordered 2 70gallon tanks with sumps, ssalt, skimmers, etc. I live near the sea, but with 2 tanks, it is a hassle to get sea water directly. So I bought some sea salt mix.

I read a lot about cycling, but I am curious- if I do the usual fishless cycle with sea salt mix + reverse osmosis water, but with live rocks from the ocean, will it shorten the cycle time?

 

[Waters]

If you have actual live rock from the ocean, there would be no initial start to the cycle. The bacteria needed already exists on the rock. That being said it depends on how the rock is collected and the path it takes to eventually make its' way into your tank.

 

[BadObsession]

If you have actual live rock from the ocean, there would be no initial start to the cycle. The bacteria needed already exists on the rock. That being said it depends on how the rock is collected and the path it takes to eventually make its' way into your tank.

Basically from the ocean, to a styrofoam box(with wet cloths), then to my house, now soaked in salt water.

So as soon as I setup my tank - and will check salinity levels of the water, add the live rocks maybe a day or so after, and good to go? I can add fish and anemone?

 

[Klag]

Basically from the ocean, to a styrofoam box(with wet cloths), then to my house, now soaked in salt water.

So as soon as I setup my tank - and will check salinity levels of the water, add the live rocks maybe a day or so after, and good to go? I can add fish and anemone?

Are you just going and getting your own rock?

More or less, set up, if you're starting from scratch I would give it a week before adding any fish as there might be some ammonia for a very short time. But after that week you should be good to go

 

[Dburr1014]

Doesn't get better than that!
insta-cycle.
I would still go slow in additions.

 

[BadObsession]

Doesn't get better than that!
insta-cycle.
I would still go slow in additions.

Are you just going and getting your own rock?

More or less, set up, if you're starting from scratch I would give it a week before adding any fish as there might be some ammonia for a very short time. But after that week you should be good to go

Thanks guys! I live near the sea, and there is an area where there are fishermen, so I asked them to get some in the deeper parts. I will try to upload pics later.

 

[BadObsession]

Here are the live rocks directly from the ocean. Fisherman asked $40 for all. I counted 15 pieces(not all in the pic).

 

[lil sumpin]

Can hardly imagine what kinda hitchhikers (good and bad) you’re gonna find. Very cool skip cycle

 

[OrionN]

It does not get any better than that. Just put it in your tank and you are ready.
I get rock from the bay of Corpus Christi and the tank is ready as soon as the water clear.

 

[twentyleagues]

As long as it has water heat and flow it should be fine but I would expect some die off. I'd prepare for maybe a week in tank with proper parameters. Check ammonia levels and probably add fish.

I wont make a comment other than this on the procurement.

 

[tzabor10]

Interesting. You might want to keep a lid on your cool method. The DEC might not be as approving.

 

[BadObsession]

Thanks again guys. Already saw 3 small mantis shrimps.

 

[twentyleagues]

Thanks again guys. Already saw 3 small mantis shrimps.

Looks like there is some kind of chiton or amphipod in that first pic too.

 

[BadObsession]

Looks like there is some kind of chiton or amphipod in that first pic too.

Yep. Several actually.

 

[twentyleagues]

Yep. Several actually.

Actually stuff like this will be your biggest concern.

 

[BadObsession]

Actually stuff like this will be your biggest concern.

Really? It was my understanding they are pretty harmless. Is it cuz of whatever disease they might bring?

 

[twentyleagues]

Really? It was my understanding they are pretty harmless. Is it cuz of whatever disease they might bring?

I wouldnt say you have a lot to worry about but its possible that there could be fish disease/parasites on the rock.

 

[BadObsession]

I wouldnt say you have a lot to worry about but its possible that there could be fish disease/parasites on the rock.

Yeah true. Live rocks on quarantine for now.

 

[OrionN]

It seems like your rock was never out of the water, so it will be fine, no cycle needed. If it is my choice, I would get rocks closer to the surface so there will be corals and stuff hitchhiking on it.
What I with my tank was to trap all the crabs out of my tank. I just don't feed the tank and use vertical glass with shrimp bated on the bottom and put it next to the rock. The crabs follow the scent and crawl in but cannot scale the smooth glass to get out. I am not sure what to do about the mantis. You just have to isolate, bait and remove the mantis. Do it rock by rock to clear these two classes of predators then you are good to go.

I would love to see a built thread on your tank.

 

[BadObsession]

It seems like your rock was never out of the water, so it will be fine, no cycle needed. If it is my choice, I would get rocks closer to the surface so there will be corals and stuff hitchhiking on it.
What I with my tank was to trap all the crabs out of my tank. I just don't feed the tank and use vertical glass with shrimp bated on the bottom and put it next to the rock. The crabs follow the scent and crawl in but cannot scale the smooth glass to get out. I am not sure what to do about the mantis. You just have to isolate, bait and remove the mantis. Do it rock by rock to clear these two classes of predators then you are good to go.

I would love to see a built thread on your tank.

Thanks! Did not know about that- coral hithchikers on live rocks near the surface.

As of the others, mantis yeah, I will get rid and set free on the sea. But are crabs really that bad? Should I get rid of them too?