How long do you wait?

[Chiefmcfuz]

How long should you wait before putting live rock in your tank after you add new saltwater during startup?

 

[Bob 1000]

I guess the same period of time when doing water changes... You know, for the saltwater to "stabilize"... One day 2 days..

 

[nanoreefer22]

Maybe a day or two after. When I initially set up this tank i believe I waited about 3-4 days .

 

[meschaefer]

I voted one week, but I think that you really only need to wait a day or two.

 

[BrooklynsReefMan1]

i voted a week becasue 2 full weeks is alot ill admit 8 9 days

 

[jackson6745]

I usually fill up the tank with fresh water, mix the salt to the correct salinity, allow it mix overnight and add rock the next day. I don't know why someone would run their tank with only saltwater for 1-4 weeks ? Why delay your cycle?

 

[Killerdrgn]

I voted 1 week so you have some more time to make RO water. and so you can make the saltwater one weekend and then buy the live rock the next weekend.

 

[BrooklynsReefMan1]

i put shrimp like food shrimp in the tank day 5 and took it out day 6 and i got the initial spike and all was well

 

[masterswimmer]

Toss it right in after the salt is mixed. No waiting.

swimmer

 

[Tonyscoots84]

Toss it right in after the salt is mixed. No waiting.

swimmer

:thrash::thrash:

 

[JLAudio]

I always put it in as soon as water is mixed and high enough in the tank to cover the rock, then fill the remainder of water in.

 

[nanoreefer22]

I shoulda mentioned I waited cause I didn't have my rock yet Had to pick it up from Jim and Russ. (Thanks T for the ride:lol2

 

[Tonyscoots84]

no problem kris good times....

 

[DaddyReefer13]

I voted "wait? put it right in" b/c the idea is to accumulate the good bacteria to breakdown ammonia and nitrates for the cycling process. If you just have water circulating with nothing on it then you are just mixing salt water. The bacteria needed is not as sensitive as fish and other livestock so it should be OK.

I may be wrong but that is my understanding of the process.

Good luck

 

[jejton]

Even if the bacteria are sensitive, their growth rate is fast enough that it shouldnt really matter. If its a completely new setup with uncured rock then I dont see the point of waiting more than 1 day at the most ( just to let the salinity stabilize, in case you need to add more water or something ).