Cycling.

[reeferkeeper420]

So what's the best way to cycle my tank. Never cycled one before, bought my first one set up and did upgrades from there. So this is new to me lol. Thanks in advance

 

[TORX]

I prefer the ole fashion patience way. Maybe a little ghost feeding to get things going. I did the typical test and wait method for all my tanks that were started from scratch.

There are several other good methods as well, each have their advocates and nah sayers. You can use 'snake oils' or use the ammonia method. There is always the live fish method with a hardy fish, just get a bottle of Prime to help neutralize high nitrates from burning their gills. No matter which way you go, there will be people who say it is the wrong way or there is a better way. All of them are a different process, so make sure you are able to commit to which ever one you choose.

 

[shamous113]

whatever way you decide patients is virtue. all of the above mentioned methods have their set time lines but if you rush it you'll have problems. i have always done the old fashioned methot but i'm contemplating going ammonia dosing this time

 

[heath]

I prefer the ole fashion patience way. Maybe a little ghost feeding to get things going. I did the typical test and wait method for all my tanks that were started from scratch

totally agree with Torx, I have done all of my tanks that way and no crashes...

 

[shamous113]

@reeferkeeper420 did you cur your rock prior to setting up?

 

[heath]

@reeferkeeper420 did you cur your rock prior to setting up?

I don't think anyone thought of asking that, good thinking...

 

[reeferkeeper420]

It's all dry rock.

 

[reeferkeeper420]

So just put fish food in the tank and that's it? Just feed my tank as if there were fish everyday?

 

[yveterinarian]

I personally prefer the Ammonia method and seeding the dry rock with live bacteria. With this method you can know exactly what your tank is capable of clearing in 24 hours. I cycled my first tank the traditional way and all of my subsequent tanks using the ammonia method. It is not faster than the traditional way but I prefer the accuracy because I was adding a large bioload at once when I added my livestock.

As said above - any way you choose, you must have patience and not rush anything. Be sure your tank is clearing both Ammonia and Nitrites properly before adding anything.

 

[shamous113]

It's all dry rock.

Your going to have a bit of a wait as all the dead stuff on the rock decomposes and breaks down. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2584811&highlight=cureing+dry+rock

 

[AdInfinitum]

I have always seeded the substrate of new tanks with a handful or 2 of substrate from an established healthy system and a food source wether that is a fish or something you add. As long as there is food, the bacteria from that handful will double every 3 hours so the basic nitro bacter cycle will be done in a day or so and all of the sub cycles will be underway. Other micro fauna and algae will also be preseeded...

...of course the current trend would be to say that all the evils of that system will also be introduced...and of course nothing bad would otherwise ever enter the system. (Heavy sarcasm on that last bit....)

One thing to keep in mind is that increases in bioload always require patience as the tank's bacterial populations constantly adapt to changes in available nutrients.

 

[reeferkeeper420]

Will just adding all new live sand start a cycle?

 

[Canadianeh]

Will just adding all new live sand start a cycle?

I don't know if there is enough good bacteria though. I used Dr Tims One and Only Nitrifying bacteria and Ammonia, and so far so good. I was going to use shrimp, but I prefer to not deal with cloudy water and smell. Ghost feeding is another method as well, but it might takes longer than using bacteria in a bottle. Either way, don't rush and let the tank take its time. Dr Tims's instruction is for 2 weeks and then fish in. I am almost one month now, and I don't have no livestock yet.

 

[Kman]

Add a few fish like a damsel (yellow tail are least aggressive and can be left in) or two clown fish, add some live rock and macro algae and let it sit for 4 months. This allows the bacteria to grow and starts your food web. Once it is cycled you can pull the caulerpa.

 

[Kman]

The products you can get do help a little but they don't produce your food web. So I like to stick to the traditional approach.

 

[scubasteve]

I always put a few pinches of food in the sanded to rot once I get measurable levels spread a handful of sand from someone's tank all over. Gets it going pretty fast for me. well as fast as anything reefing goes lol

 

[heath]

I don't know if there is enough good bacteria though. I used Dr Tims One and Only Nitrifying bacteria and Ammonia, and so far so good. I was going to use shrimp, but I prefer to not deal with cloudy water and smell. Ghost feeding is another method as well, but it might takes longer than using bacteria in a bottle. Either way, don't rush and let the tank take its time. Dr Tims's instruction is for 2 weeks and then fish in. I am almost one month now, and I don't have no livestock yet.

good plan, don't rush and you will have a very successful tank.. all good things take time...