Cycling my tank...suggestions

[JonezNReef]

I haven't had to cycle a tank in about 3 years so I feel like I am new to the hobby. I am upgrading to a 180 gal. I have a other tanks that have been going for 3 years or more. I am starting with new base rock in the 180 and was wondering would it benefit adding rock from the established tanks and if so should I add it before or after I cycle the new base rock? I am in no hurry with this build so would it be a good idea to just cycle it completely then add then established rock so there's no die off? Would it be better to add the rock rubble in my old sump into the new system?

When I set my other tanks up I bought cured live rock from my lfs so I'm new to the dry base rock

 

[thegrun]

I would add a little rock from a pest free established tank pre-cycle and then a little more after the cycle. The rock added before the cycle will act to jump start the cycle by introducing bacteria to the tank right away. The rock added post cycle will introduce organisms that may not survive the ammonia spike of the cycle. I really like adding pure ammonia to start the cycle, I've used this method on the last few tanks I've cycled and I find it quicker and it has less smell than the old adding a dead raw shrimp method.

 

[JonezNReef]

Dont you need to raise the temp of the tank if you use ammonia? I never used this method before. Guess its back to researching

 

[WWIII]

I just used ammonia to cycle my new 200 gallon tank. Worked like a charm! Get your tank up and running, add substrate (if you're using it), add your base rock, get temperature up (I turned mine up a touch high to 82), and dose enough ammonia to get to 3 to 4 ppm. I used some ammonia from hardware store called blue ribbon pure ammonia. They can be different strengths, but it took me 120 ml to raise my total water volume of 320 gallons to 4 ppm. Then I added a little live rock to my sump to help seed the good bacteria and waited. After a couple weeks I had nitrite. Once ammonia was 0 and nitrite was very low I kept dosing my tank to 3 ppm until both ammonia and nitrite were zero in 24 hrs. This all took around 2 months. Just watch the temp, test ammonia and nitrite daily or every other day after a week or so and it will cycle perfectly! Going this route ensures your system can handle a good amount of bio load once cycled. Oh and I just left my lights off for 90% of the time, just used them to check out tank every once in a while. Good luck!

 

[JonezNReef]

Really you had the lights off most of the time? Thats interesting because I have heard that if you cycle without lights you could get a algae bloom once they get on a regular cycle.

Ok so i am going to cycle the 180 completely before I add any of my live rock from my other tanks. I am going to try to cycle with ammonia and see how it goes. Thanks a lot guys!!

If anyone else has some input I am always open for suggestions

 

[snorvich]

I would add a little rock from a pest free established tank pre-cycle and then a little more after the cycle. The rock added before the cycle will act to jump start the cycle by introducing bacteria to the tank right away. The rock added post cycle will introduce organisms that may not survive the ammonia spike of the cycle. I really like adding pure ammonia to start the cycle, I've used this method on the last few tanks I've cycled and I find it quicker and it has less smell than the old adding a dead raw shrimp method.

Excellent advice.

 

[Mark9]

If anyone else has some input I am always open for suggestions

Use biospira or Dr Tims to shorten your cycle time.