ZeeSparrow
New member
I don't believe live rock is necessary... add the ammonia source and all rock will become live over time.
Absolute best way to cycle?
- Thread starter Frootstick
- Start date
gone fishin
New member
when I moved here to Wisconsin from Connecticut my rock sat in 3 or 4 totes dry for about 6 months until I was able to get around to restart. I added some ammonia and waited for nature to do its thing. Tank is happily humming along now.
Use all dry rock and get you a pair of fish maybe 3 get a phosphate reactor from the beginning to take down any phosphates the dry rock will leak may or may not and add BIO SPIRA
My tank was up for 2 weeks worth no BIO SPIRA I put that in my tank 2 large bottles you can buy at petco and it cycled fully in the next week
On my last build 2 years ago I used it also and my tank cycle around 1 week
After you see the ammonia goes to 0 and nitrites 0 then your good take it slow and ad fish not extremely slow but not like 10 fish the next day lol
My tank was up for 2 weeks worth no BIO SPIRA I put that in my tank 2 large bottles you can buy at petco and it cycled fully in the next week
On my last build 2 years ago I used it also and my tank cycle around 1 week
After you see the ammonia goes to 0 and nitrites 0 then your good take it slow and ad fish not extremely slow but not like 10 fish the next day lol
Frootstick
New member
So I have read a heap over the past few days. Understanding a little more about the process.
I'm definitely not using live rock.
So was thinking the dead shrimp option.
Just wondering if someone would be kind enough to give me a step by step process, so I get this right? I'm a little paranoid about stuffing up
I'm definitely not using live rock.
So was thinking the dead shrimp option.
Just wondering if someone would be kind enough to give me a step by step process, so I get this right? I'm a little paranoid about stuffing up
ZeeSparrow
New member
When the nitrite levels are also zero... Not just ammonia. Then you're through the nitrogen phase of the cycle. Ammonia and nitrite must both be zero.
Nitrates should also be tested at that time. Water changes will help to reduce those, but are not necessary until nitrites and ammonia are both zero.
Nitrates should also be tested at that time. Water changes will help to reduce those, but are not necessary until nitrites and ammonia are both zero.
CStrickland
New member
I changed my water during the cycle. It gave me good practice and I didn't have a bunch of nitrates hanging around to deal with at the end. Didn't slow anything down.
While it might be technically true that a perfect cycle is not achieved until nitrates zero out, for the purpose of knowing when you can add fish, I think nitrates within reason is fine so there wouldn't be any reason to wait. Some very old tanks have nitrates in the 40's with happy fish and limited coral.
While it might be technically true that a perfect cycle is not achieved until nitrates zero out, for the purpose of knowing when you can add fish, I think nitrates within reason is fine so there wouldn't be any reason to wait. Some very old tanks have nitrates in the 40's with happy fish and limited coral.
jminick2
New member
there's really no way to tell if it slowed things down or not who's to say if u wouldn't of done that it wouldn't of been done a day earlier. also by changing your water in the middle you may have taken nitrates out and lessened the end amount but more are still being created soooo seems pretty pointless to do that when you can do 1 water change at the end and take them all out. I don't really agree with advising people to do extra work. and don't tell me it's a good habit to get into. if you aren't already prepared to be doing water changes then you are in the wrong hobby.
CStrickland
New member
It's a good habit to get into
My tank cycled in 11 days. If it had done so in 10 by not changing the water, it wouldn't be worth the lost experience and stability imo
I got "prepared to be doing water changes" by... doing water changes.
I started bb so I could watch all the critters come alive in my rocks and see where their poop landed in order to tweak the flow and remove dead spots. Also so that if my rocks turned out to be leaching phos, I would be able to dose lc without a sump. The first couple times I vac'ed out the detritus I knocked over my rocks and crashed around quite a bit. So doing them during the cycle meant I didn't clobber any fish or smash my cuc in the process. Besides the re-aquascaping that I did on purpose. I added the sand in batches much later.
I also cycled with my lights on. To me it makes sense to keep things steady from the beginning, rather that do a big water change and turn on the lights right before you stock. It's my first tank so spending some time with it empty, learning its quirks and mine, was really valuable. Imo the cycle is a very important time when you are finally seeing these mysterious pods you've been reading about, and getting the tactile feed back from playing with your powerheads that all the forum reading in the world can't replace. I think of it as "cycling the new reefer" as much as the new bacteria
Plus I got some practice runs mixing the salt and adding new water without making a mess.
Arbiting for whom "this is the right hobby" is best left to insecure noobs imo, but I wouldn't give very good odds on longevity to someone who considers a one day difference in cycle time probative of an causal connection, and doesn't see how your last sentence contradicts the rest of your post.
Frootstick
New member
So if I decide to cycle with 10-20% of my rock being live rock. What is the process then?
ericarenee
New member
OK .
Someone had to do this
MY WAY IS THE BEST WAY. Read Carefully.
Read thru all of the post above and find the Combination of them that you seem to like Best for you.. As long you put no fish or inverts in there I think it will be fine.. I also do not agree with spending money on chemicals or so called cycling aid.. as far as Clean up crew . That should NOT Be added until there is a reason to add them. Well unless you are building a invert tank. Manky people put way too many crabs and snails buy one of those "you must have" clean up crew packages that will just starve or cause you to over feed to keep them alive.
oops i was not going to give my opinion but just say all the above is great
Someone had to do this
MY WAY IS THE BEST WAY. Read Carefully.
Read thru all of the post above and find the Combination of them that you seem to like Best for you.. As long you put no fish or inverts in there I think it will be fine.. I also do not agree with spending money on chemicals or so called cycling aid.. as far as Clean up crew . That should NOT Be added until there is a reason to add them. Well unless you are building a invert tank. Manky people put way too many crabs and snails buy one of those "you must have" clean up crew packages that will just starve or cause you to over feed to keep them alive.
oops i was not going to give my opinion but just say all the above is great
