Cycling Help: Red Sea Reef Mature Kit

[Chris918]

Hey guys. I'm looking over the Red Sea Reef Mature Kit as a means to cycle my next aquarium, however upon looking at the instructions there are some factors that concern me whether or not this will work for me. The guide mentions live rock and live sand numerous times and I'm using dry rock and am going bare bottom. If I've heard anything about this product, and I haven't heard much, it's that you must follow the instructions. It also calls for 10 hours of light a day and that there will be cyano, diatoms, hair algae growth. I want to avoid this not help it. I've never cycled with lighting. Perhaps this isn't the kit for me, but I wanted to give it a try. Does anyone have any experience with this method of cycling?

Thanks!

 

[monkeysee1]

That kit is not necessary.
I would get a bottle of some Instant Ocean Bio Spira instead.
I would put some protective padding on the inside bottom of your tank if you're going bare bottom. Place your dry rock on it and arrange it yo your liking fill your tank with RO water. Lastly, add the Bio Spira and let it cycle!
10 hours a day is sufficient light run time. You can avoid an algae / diatom explosion by putting some Rowa Phos in a reactor. If you don't have a reactor, put a cup of it in a mesh bag and put the bag in your sump sock.

 

[JUNBUG361]

I cycled my using some live rocks to seed with dry rocks. Added some cheato algae. Didn’t turn the lights on much during cycle period. Test the water in 3rd day, never tested again till 1 month & some days the cycle was done.