Cycling help!

Ryan20A · 02/22/2018, 01:43 PM

Hi all I’m going to be filling my tank in the next week or so and was wondering what the best way to cycle the tank would be? Il be using live sand and Carib se life rock but unsure of the best route to kick off the cycling process.

mcgyvr · 02/22/2018, 07:17 PM

Throw in a piece of uncooked shrimp from the grocery store..
Leave it in there till ammonia levels hit about 1-2ppm then remove if you want and wait as the nitrite start to rise..
Wait till ammonia and nitrite levels go to zero and tank is usually cycled at that point and you can start slowly stocking it..

You only need to test if you want and top off the tank with fresh water to account for whats evaporating (yes fresh.. not saltwater as the salt does not evaporate)

Typically good to plan on about 4-6 weeks when starting with dry rock..

Nothing good happens fast in this hobby..

You can also just sprinkle a pinch or of food in there every few days while monitoring ammonia,etc... if you don't want to go the shrimp way..

bertoni · 02/22/2018, 07:57 PM

If no ammonia shows up on its own, you could toss in a bit of shrimp or just add small amounts of fish food, maybe about ¼ of what you intend to feed to the first inhabitants. I think the Carib Sea rock comes as dry pieces? If it's actual live rock, you shouldn't need to add anything.

Ryan20A · 02/23/2018, 06:17 AM

Great cheers, hopefully il get it started this weekend!

the life rock is dry so it will be a longer cycling time I’d imagine.

oldhead · 02/23/2018, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan20A

Great cheers, hopefully il get it started this weekend!

the life rock is dry so it will be a longer cycling time I’d imagine.

Yes it will probably take about a month to cycle. That will give you plenty of time to read through the stickies.

mcgyvr · 02/23/2018, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldhead

Yes it will probably take about a month to cycle. That will give you plenty of time to read through the stickies.

Those are here.. They are fairly decent at covering most of everything..

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1031074

Ryan20A · 02/23/2018, 01:50 PM

Thought so, cheers for the help, I’m not in any rush to stock the tank so il definitely have a read through

Imaexpat2 · 02/23/2018, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Nothing good happens fast in this hobby...

Has there ever been any truer words than those right there!

I have always said that a lack of funds for this hobby is actually a blessing in disguise...it forces you to slow the down, and take a slow deliberate approach. Youll save a lot of money, spend less time doing Crisis Management, have a whole lot less headaches and spend more time enjoying the simpler things in life like your soon to be awesome tank. Reefing is a journey not a race, so walk dont run.

Most of the tanks I have set up recently started with just dry base rock sometimes no substrate, a heater, a Powerhead and some saltwater. Some of my most amazing tanks have also been the simplest set ups.

Reefiez · 02/24/2018, 03:26 AM

the caribsea life rock claims to be "infused with spored, live bacteria. Once placed in water, the dormant bacteria will come alive and begin to colonize: helping to speed up the cycling process."

i'm curious to see whether the claims is true, please updated with your ammonia/nitrites tests!

+1 for a dead shrimp

also you might consider a large water change at the end of your cycle if your nitrate readings are high

Ryan20A · 02/26/2018, 11:45 AM

il Probably go for the shrimp option, but out of curiosity has anyone had any experience with the atm colony? You add it to your water then add a fish and that’s your cycle done, is this just another thing that’s too good to be true? Are the fish at risk in doing a cycle like this? I’ve heard some people say it’s great but I’d be reluctant to try it and put the fish in any danger!

SonoranReefer · 02/26/2018, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan20A

il Probably go for the shrimp option, but out of curiosity has anyone had any experience with the atm colony? You add it to your water then add a fish and that’s your cycle done, is this just another thing that’s too good to be true? Are the fish at risk in doing a cycle like this? I’ve heard some people say it’s great but I’d be reluctant to try it and put the fish in any danger!

I don’t have experience with the specific ATM one. But I have used the Instant Ocean version, and it works decently. I have heard the new Fritz Turbo is a good one but don’t have any experience with it.

Just take your time and test is my best word of wisdom. I started my tank with the IO bacteria, live rock, and love sand. Was all that overkill? Maybe but the way I see it is it can’t hurt.

bertoni · 02/26/2018, 09:30 PM

I am not sure whether the bacterial products actually do much. Some people seem successful with them; others definitely are not. I wouldn't trust one with a fish, personally. I don't see the need. A little bit of fish food is just as useful as adding a fish.

02/22/2018, 01:43 PM	#1
Ryan20A Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Scotland Posts: 31	Cycling help! Hi all I’m going to be filling my tank in the next week or so and was wondering what the best way to cycle the tank would be? Il be using live sand and Carib se life rock but unsure of the best route to kick off the cycling process.

02/22/2018, 07:17 PM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Throw in a piece of uncooked shrimp from the grocery store.. Leave it in there till ammonia levels hit about 1-2ppm then remove if you want and wait as the nitrite start to rise.. Wait till ammonia and nitrite levels go to zero and tank is usually cycled at that point and you can start slowly stocking it.. You only need to test if you want and top off the tank with fresh water to account for whats evaporating (yes fresh.. not saltwater as the salt does not evaporate) Typically good to plan on about 4-6 weeks when starting with dry rock.. Nothing good happens fast in this hobby.. You can also just sprinkle a pinch or of food in there every few days while monitoring ammonia,etc... if you don't want to go the shrimp way.. __________________ Who me?

02/22/2018, 07:57 PM	#3
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	If no ammonia shows up on its own, you could toss in a bit of shrimp or just add small amounts of fish food, maybe about ¼ of what you intend to feed to the first inhabitants. I think the Carib Sea rock comes as dry pieces? If it's actual live rock, you shouldn't need to add anything. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

02/24/2018, 03:26 AM	#9
Reefiez Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 157	the caribsea life rock claims to be "infused with spored, live bacteria. Once placed in water, the dormant bacteria will come alive and begin to colonize: helping to speed up the cycling process." i'm curious to see whether the claims is true, please updated with your ammonia/nitrites tests! +1 for a dead shrimp also you might consider a large water change at the end of your cycle if your nitrate readings are high __________________ my reef tank is the best skimmer... of my wallet

02/26/2018, 09:30 PM	#12
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I am not sure whether the bacterial products actually do much. Some people seem successful with them; others definitely are not. I wouldn't trust one with a fish, personally. I don't see the need. A little bit of fish food is just as useful as adding a fish. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

02/23/2018, 06:17 AM	#4
Ryan20A Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Scotland Posts: 31	Great cheers, hopefully il get it started this weekend! the life rock is dry so it will be a longer cycling time I’d imagine.

02/23/2018, 01:50 PM	#7
Ryan20A Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Scotland Posts: 31	Thought so, cheers for the help, I’m not in any rush to stock the tank so il definitely have a read through

02/26/2018, 11:45 AM	#10
Ryan20A Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Scotland Posts: 31	il Probably go for the shrimp option, but out of curiosity has anyone had any experience with the atm colony? You add it to your water then add a fish and that’s your cycle done, is this just another thing that’s too good to be true? Are the fish at risk in doing a cycle like this? I’ve heard some people say it’s great but I’d be reluctant to try it and put the fish in any danger!