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New tank cycling process

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Guest, Oct 22, 2012.

  1. Guest

    Guest Guest

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    Ok so I have started my first 55 gallon saltwater tank. I started out with some live rock and sand and I put about 15-20 gallons of already cycled water. It has been running for about a week now with power heads and skimmer running. How much longer will it take to where it will be safe enough to put in some coral/fish/crabs ext..
     
  2. Armydog

    Armydog Expert Reefkeeper

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    +738 / 8 / -0
    I wouldn't put corals and inverts in right away ..... but you will be able to tell there will be like a brownish algae bloom on pretty much everything then do a water change....
     
  3. bladerunner Well-Known ReefKeeper

    476
    des moines
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    Probably be closer to another week... Just do some test
     
  4. b7racer

    b7racer Inactive User

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    Yes there is brown algae bloom I can see on my sand. So I should do maybe around 20 gallon water change?
     
  5. bladerunner Well-Known ReefKeeper

    476
    des moines
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    +9 / 1 / -0
    F*** it... Do the water change, and go by one fish/crab and see how it goes
     
  6. b7racer

    b7racer Inactive User

    157
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    Haha alright
     
  7. FRGNCC

    FRGNCC Inactive User

    92
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    Get some dr Tim's nitrifying Bactria and put it in to be safe then put a coup,e clown fish in
     
  8. jstngates Experienced Reefkeeper

    Toledo Iowa
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    +40 / 1 / -0
    Go cheap on the fish lol!! A damsel.
     
  9. Tickyty

    Tickyty Well-Known ReefKeeper

    446
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    Probably put in a less agressive fish.
     
  10. phishcrazee Experienced Reefkeeper

    Riverside
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    You will need to add ammonia and then have the beneficial bacteria to complete the nitrogen cycle. You can buy ammonia for ~$4 a bottle that is sold just for cycling a tank and also the bacteria. You will have some of the bacteria in the live rock you added, but very little in the water you added from another tank because they(the bacteria) reside on surfaces (like rockwork, sponges, etc). Please don't buy fish or anything alive *just* to help cycle a tank. You will likely end up hating the fish later on and they are often a big pita to catch again to remove. It's also very imprecise as well as cruel to the fish you use.



    Read the info HERE about cycling a tank. The video on that page is talking about freshwater cycling.......but the written stuff is relevant. Or Google fishless cycling and you will come up with lots of info on how to do it.



    Dr. Tim's sells great products and there are many good bottled bacteria products out there besides his. It usually takes closer to 3-4+ weeks to cycle a tank, as the bacteria are slow to reproduce in great enough numbers.
     
  11. phishcrazee Experienced Reefkeeper

    Riverside
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  12. Maureen Experienced Reefkeeper

    Urbandale, IA
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    Buy some frozen fish food for carnivores and put a little in your tank. It will do the trick and you can use the rest to feed your fish when you do get some for your tank.
     
  13. moneypit

    moneypit Inactive User

    167
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    +0 / 0 / -0

    A cup or two of sand from an established, pest free tank will help you out as well. Patience the cycle will happen.
     

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