Cycling
- Thread starter EvoReef
- Start date
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The best answer, don't cycle it in the tank.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2622801
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1031074
Here is some suggested reading.
Short answer? Its recommended to do it in a tub/garbage can with a smaller water volume. (The rock, not the sand). Let it cure with water movement and a heater, and either 'ghost feed' or ammonia dose it to give the bacteria a little bit to start off of.
Leave it for a few weeks/months and monitor it with regular tests.
If you already have it in the tank, same process. Its just at the END of the process you need to do one massive water change to reduce the nitrate level if its high, and its much easier to do that in a 20 gallon garbage can then a 200 gallon tank!
But its all to be tailored to your situation. WaterKeepers thread has longer answers.
The best answer, don't cycle it in the tank.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2622801
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1031074
Here is some suggested reading.
Short answer? Its recommended to do it in a tub/garbage can with a smaller water volume. (The rock, not the sand). Let it cure with water movement and a heater, and either 'ghost feed' or ammonia dose it to give the bacteria a little bit to start off of.
Leave it for a few weeks/months and monitor it with regular tests.
If you already have it in the tank, same process. Its just at the END of the process you need to do one massive water change to reduce the nitrate level if its high, and its much easier to do that in a 20 gallon garbage can then a 200 gallon tank!
But its all to be tailored to your situation. WaterKeepers thread has longer answers.
mcgyvr
New member
I always just add the sand, then rock, then saltwater (or just water then salt) then ghost feed flake or pellet food for a few days or add a dead shrimp from the grocery store or purchase a small quantity of "live rock"..
You can also dose pure ammonia without any surfactants (if in doubt you can purchase dr tim's ammonium chloride from Amazon,etc..) until you measure .5 to 1ppm of ammonia (some will say up to 2ppm.. IMO that is too much and just causes higher nitrate levels that you need to get rid of)
You can also dose "bacteria in a bottle" products per their instructions..
Lots of ways really.. None is really "better" than the other..
Unless you know the dry rock has issues with phosphates being bound in it (pukani rock,etc...) then I don't see the need to "cure" it outside of the display tank..
Most dry quarry rock is usually clean and phosphate free..
Expect 4-6 weeks (or more) for a dry rock tank to fully cycle but usually 4 is good provided you get it started with whatever method above..
You can also cycle using live critters (damsel fish,etc...) but thats kind of frowned upon now..
You can also dose pure ammonia without any surfactants (if in doubt you can purchase dr tim's ammonium chloride from Amazon,etc..) until you measure .5 to 1ppm of ammonia (some will say up to 2ppm.. IMO that is too much and just causes higher nitrate levels that you need to get rid of)
You can also dose "bacteria in a bottle" products per their instructions..
Lots of ways really.. None is really "better" than the other..
Unless you know the dry rock has issues with phosphates being bound in it (pukani rock,etc...) then I don't see the need to "cure" it outside of the display tank..
Most dry quarry rock is usually clean and phosphate free..
Expect 4-6 weeks (or more) for a dry rock tank to fully cycle but usually 4 is good provided you get it started with whatever method above..
You can also cycle using live critters (damsel fish,etc...) but thats kind of frowned upon now..
