Live sand cycle question

[DLANDINO]

I feel like a new comer but I was in the game for 8 years prior to going on hiatus last fall. Now, I am setting up a small nano and I have a cycle question. I used Carib Sea live sand as my substrate. Is this enough to kick off a cycle? Today, day three, my ammonia tested at 0 which makes me think one of two things. Live sand doesn't require a cycle OR I need to introduce ammonia or a piece of raw shrimp to kick things in gear. Thoughts please and thanks! xposted in Chemistry

 

[MondoBongo]

you may very well need to introduce ammonia. i don't believe the hype about live sand. i used it on my first tank setup because i didn't know any better, but it didn't seem to help anything except helping me lighten up my wallet.

if you do introduce ammonia, then you can watch and see if the tank is cycled, but likely it is not.

 

[gone fishin]

I agree with Mondo.

 

[DLANDINO]

thank you!

 

[Nrupaw]

I feel like a new comer but I was in the game for 8 years prior to going on hiatus last fall. Now, I am setting up a small nano and I have a cycle question. I used Carib Sea live sand as my substrate. Is this enough to kick off a cycle? Today, day three, my ammonia tested at 0 which makes me think one of two things. Live sand doesn't require a cycle OR I need to introduce ammonia or a piece of raw shrimp to kick things in gear. Thoughts please and thanks! xposted in Chemistry

Yup, you will have to introduce ammonia. maybe you can try ghost feeding.

I used live sand on my first tank. the next 2 have been bare bottom. Live sand is a PIA for me. I didn't go deep sand bed so it really didn't do anything for me, except look good aesthetically.

 

[scooter31707]

I agree with what has already been said. That sand is says that it makes the cycle faster. I don't know if it truly does. You can also add a couple pieces of live rock in there also.

 

[nuxx]

Trying to cycle our frag tank right now quickly.

Added 2 large rocks that I had in my display's sump for about 18 months as well as some very dirty filter pads.

Then also added two 75 gallon bottles of BioSpira and some other bacteria I had.

Tank water volume is about 175 gallons with 80lbs of dry aragonite sand.