Cycling a new tank... Questions

[sillysidewinder]

Does anyone have a link to a good source on information regarding how to cycle a tank properly? I know there are several ways to do it, but I am starting my 12 gallon tank back up and I want to find the best, quickest way to cycle the tank. Thanks!

 

[SteveZ15]

live rock,just curious is your screen name related to the sidewinder fishing reel?

 

[sillysidewinder]

no. i used to run in zig zag lines when i was a kid, my cousin coined me the sillysidewinder. so i make the saltwater, put it in my tank, add live rock and sand and the cycle is on its way? very simple i guess.

 

[viplok]

live rock and does some pure ammonia =]. it will help build up those bacteria fast.

 

[mdenesha]

I'm currently in the process of cycling a 12 gal tank. I added 11lbs of live sand, 6lbs of LR (with an additional 6 in base rock), and 2lbs of rubble in a rear chamber. Its been running for just under a week now. Hoping it completely cycles in a month - this is my first shot at saltwater - good luck with your setup!

 

[SteveZ15]

yea the die off from the rock creates the cycle.

 

[reefer4eva]

Add a piece of shrimp(meaning a shrimp cocktail the one you eat)

 

[basiab]

Does anyone have a link to a good source on information regarding how to cycle a tank properly?

Do a search here on MR. There is plenty...

 

[prattreef]

Add water, live rock and sand turn on your filtration system, keep your lights off, top off for evaporation and wait. Test weekly. It will happen without any intervention from you.

 

[basiab]

Add water, live rock and sand turn on your filtration system, keep your lights off, top off for evaporation and wait. Test weekly. It will happen without any intervention from you.

Are you saying that about half the posts in this forum are for nothing!

 

[SanmanReefer]

Add water, live rock and sand turn on your filtration system, keep your lights off, top off for evaporation and wait. Test weekly. It will happen without any intervention from you.

+1. I always cycled all my tanks like that, no need to add a shrimp or ammonia or any of that stuff.

 

[duromega]

if you want to cycle faster I have live sand from a stablished tank if you want a cub
pickup in Midtown manhattan 10016

 

[FocusReefing]

+1. I always cycled all my tanks like that, no need to add a shrimp or ammonia or any of that stuff.

What if starting without any form of live media? Would this still be the case? Because I'm planning on using base rock & dry sand. I don't want to risk introducing any nuisance of any kind. I even plan on adding lower life forms slowly at intervals (ie. Copepods, ect)when it comes time.

 

[ecvernon]

I always found that the tank would cycle just fine by itself. I think one of the most important parts is to add fish slowly so the bacteria has time to catch up to the added bioload

 

[marrone]

The whole purpose of adding more sources of ammonia, like a shrimp, is to increase the bacteria in the tank, which will help handle a larger load from the beginning. Not having enough bacteria in the tank in the beginning is a problem, especially if you try and overstock the tank, which may cause high ammonia or even a mini-cycle until the bacteria catches up.

 

[sillysidewinder]

Add water, live rock and sand turn on your filtration system, keep your lights off, top off for evaporation and wait. Test weekly. It will happen without any intervention from you.

Thanks for all the input everybody. Randy, thanks for chiming in, that seems easy enough. I'm excited! :thrash:

 

[tttony]

Over half of the new tank threads are people buying a tank and filling it with water , rock , coral and fish , the same day, I guess that show tanked really has helped

 

[viplok]

Over half of the new tank threads are people buying a tank and filling it with water , rock , coral and fish , the same day, I guess that show tanked really has helped

haha. its not true. most of the threads here are from upgrades. so they have everything ready in other tank.:tongue1:

Tanked really gives bad impression. hard work behind every tank. its not a 1 day thing

 

[sillysidewinder]

Just tested:

Ammonia: 0ppm
Nitrite: 0ppm
Nitrate: 25ppm

 

[kalapnath]

I used this when I was starting off my tank..http://www.ebay.com/itm/151110629598?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648