My Bare Bottom Fishless Cycle

[ArizonaReefer]

With everything that I’ve read cycling a Bare-Bottom tank with Dry Base Rock will be very difficult but it’s what I want, so not much chance of talking me out of it. I’m anticipating it taking twice as long if not longer to cycle. (Please let it cycle)

1. The tank is a new Innovative-Marine 40L AIO with an ETA of two days from now.

2. I’ve purchased Dr. Tim’s “One and Only” along with his Ammonium Chloride Solution.

3. 100 LBS of Base Rock from Addictive Reef Keeping, not sure yet how much I’ll be able to use? Putting my aquascaping skills to the test. (Pics to follow)

4. 1 gallon of Marine Pure 1.5” Bio Filter Spheres to be put in meshed bags in back chamber.

5. Marine Master Bluetooth Multiparameter Photometer HI97115 for accurate testing. (No color charts for me)

Let my journey begin

 

[SilverRanger]

Have you thought about adding some cheap soft corals and copepods after the ammonia drops and there is still higher nitrates? Great way to prevent an ugly phase in an otherwise underdeveloped micro biome due to dry on dry

 

[Ross]

Any reason your set on doing this? You’re really just going to handicap yourself. You might not double the cycle time, but get ready to not keep any corals or nems for 6 months. Your also gonna probably have Dino issues.

 

[taricha]

2. I’ve purchased Dr. Tim’s “One and Only” along with his Ammonium Chloride Solution.

5. Marine Master Bluetooth Multiparameter Photometer HI97115 for accurate testing. (No color charts for me)

Let my journey begin

Be aware that most people find that the Dr. Tim's ammonia drops directions will way overshoot the 2.5ppm max ammonia that the kit can detect.
Other than that, have fun and be patient.

 

[Harpo]

I will be following in your footsteps this week

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Best of luck with the cycle!

 

[soreefed]

I have a 15g bare bottom that I used dry rock with. It’s been a lot more of a hassle but it’s been ok.

Tank has had mild Dino’s for many months now. Overall it seems the tank is still struggling to stabilize over the last year or so. I do have happy coral, fish, and nems in there so it’s definitely not a bad tank.

 

[GSPClown94]

Since you’re starting with all dry rock I’d recommend monitoring phosphate and adjust as needed until they absorb/desorb enough so that they are at an equilibrium with your desired phosphate in the water. All the dry rock I’ve used needed to absorb a lot of phosphate before it was detectable on a test kit which usually ends up with dinos if not addressed.

 

[ArizonaReefer]

Any reason your set on doing this? You’re really just going to handicap yourself. You might not double the cycle time, but get ready to not keep any corals or nems for 6 months. Your also gonna probably have Dino issues.

Ultimately want to have high flow to support SPS, could there be a way to temporarily have live sand and then easily remove it later, perhaps in mesh bags?

 

[mh0ward]

I would just start gravel vac'ing it up once you decide you want it gone.

 

[Harpo]

I would just start gravel vac'ing it up once you decide you want it gone.

I'm considering the same as a temp solution to help with the cycle

 

[Dan_P]

With everything that I’ve read cycling a Bare-Bottom tank with Dry Base Rock will be very difficult but it’s what I want, so not much chance of talking me out of it. I’m anticipating it taking twice as long if not longer to cycle. (Please let it cycle)

1. The tank is a new Innovative-Marine 40L AIO with an ETA of two days from now.

2. I’ve purchased Dr. Tim’s “One and Only” along with his Ammonium Chloride Solution.

3. 100 LBS of Base Rock from Addictive Reef Keeping, not sure yet how much I’ll be able to use? Putting my aquascaping skills to the test. (Pics to follow)

4. 1 gallon of Marine Pure 1.5” Bio Filter Spheres to be put in meshed bags in back chamber.

5. Marine Master Bluetooth Multiparameter Photometer HI97115 for accurate testing. (No color charts for me)

Let my journey begin

I have heard this story about difficult to cycle bare bottom.

I cycled sintered glass without issue. Not sure you will have an issue except that Dr Tim’s can take a long time to get going which has nothing to do with the bare bottom approach. Dr Tim’s is just a sluggish product.

 

[ArizonaReefer]

I would just start gravel vac'ing it up once you decide you want it gone.

Yes, Common sense kicked in and just ordered “CaribSea Arag-Alive 40 lb Fiji Pink Sand” and like you suggested I’ll slowly remove it when the time comes.

Sorry for those looking to follow this thread.