How long to cycle???

[rupes reef]

So i just set up a 220 and i am getting ready to put a few damsels in it to start off. I have a 20 gal nano and a 55 fowlr so i know the normal cycle timeline of a new tank. However, i put about 50 gal of cycled water into the 220 when i was setting it up. So i was wondering if the cycle will be quicker and how long i should wait to put my other fish in.

 

[xskyzx]

Any live sand or live rock in there? If yes then prolly 2-3 wks. That's what it took my tank 2 cycled

 

[rupes reef]

Yeah, there is about 230 lbs of live sand, and only about 45 lbs of live rock right now with more on the way.

 

[acrodave]

untill NO2 or nh4 are gone

 

[HappySkittles]

do not use damsels or any other fish to cycle
use raw shrimp or fish food

 

[Boostin S14]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13448740#post13448740 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by HappySkittles
do not use damsels or any other fish to cycle
use raw shrimp or fish food

+1 on the shrimp instead of damsels. If you are dead set on having fish in there as quickly as possible, at least do the fish a favor and wait till the amonia is at 0.

 

[rupes reef]

so putting the shrimp or fish food in there will do what?

 

[HappySkittles]

it will add ammonia to the tank
like adding a fish would
except you spare the fish some pain

 

[Michael]

i wouldnt recommend adding anything at all, just let the tank cycle naturally, its the best way, certainely dont think about adding any fish, its just not right

 

[rupes reef]

so what in my tank is going to create amonia, i have dried live rock, and about 80lbs of live sand and 150lbs of regular sand? I dont know that any of those will create amonia, and if those dont then what am i waiting on my tank to do?

 

[HappySkittles]

if all your stuff was dried/dead/ect
you need something to start it
add fish food or raw shrimp
not a living fish

you want an ammonia spike followed by a nitrite spike (lowered ammonia) followed by a nitrate spike (lowered nitrites)
at the end all of this the readings should be 0 (or nitrates should be pretty low...under 20)
should take 2-3 weeks
you will also see alot of algae growing

 

[shaginwagon13]

Re: How long to cycle???

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13448624#post13448624 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rupes reef
So i just set up a 220 and i am getting ready to put a few damsels in it to start off. I have a 20 gal nano and a 55 fowlr so i know the normal cycle timeline of a new tank. However, i put about 50 gal of cycled water into the 220 when i was setting it up. So i was wondering if the cycle will be quicker and how long i should wait to put my other fish in.

Whatever you do...DO NOT USE DAMSELS. lol I made that mistake and now I can't catch them because they have too many hiding places and I have to buy all my fish slightly larger then the damsels or the damsels pick on the fish until it dies.....Biggest mistake.

 

[rupes reef]

so i guess i dont really understand the whole shrimp or fish food. if all my stuff is dead then why do i want to add amonia to the tank, i thought the name of the game was to get rid of amonia not add it?

 

[gas4544]

In order to establish sufficient colonies of nitrifying (breaks down ammonia to nitrite) and denitrifying bacteria (breaks down nitrite to nitrate), you need to have a source of ammonia in your tank. Cycling your tank referes to starting the nitrogen cycle:
ammonia converted to nitrite converted to nitrate.

You will need this bacteria to break down organic wastes in your tank. To start this nitrogen cycle, you need to introduce a source of ammonia.

Gary

 

[ltindle]

You want ammonia because you need the beneficial bacteria to build up so they can break it down when ammonia is coming from the fish waste. adding the fish food creates an ammonia spike and the bacteria get to work and multiply Research cycling a new tank. The biggest mistake people make in freshwater and saltwater is being all excited and dumping a bunch of fish as soon as they set up their tank and then they all die because the tank doesnt have the good bacteria it needs to break down their waste

 

[tspors]

Add some live rock to your tank and wait out 2 months. This is a long term investment, unless you plan on taking the tank down in 1 year. 2 months is nothing to season a tank. Moderation and play it safe. Forget the shrimp let the cycle happen natural.