What's the best way to skip the ugly stage during a cycle?
Getting ready to cycle my 180G within the next week or two and really want to do my best to skip the ugly stage!
From experience! what has worked best for you? (The questions are formatted as "My understanding. Making sure I understand it correctly and any questions I have.")
I watched a few BRS vids and this is my understanding.
1. Do the nitrifying cycle slow! I plan on dosing microbacter7 for a month. Should I dose it longer? I am also not sure that ammonia source is best...
2. After the month add your clean up FISH! Don't turn on your light yet either! I have a question about this. Is it ok to add a tomini or kole or other bristletooth tang as one of the first fish? Should I wait longer like the 3rd month maybe? Will they be aggressive to future tangs?
3. Dose some kind of cleaner like vibrant! When do I start dosing this? From day one or after the tank is done cycling?
4. Don't turn on your lights for four months. No questions makes sense!
5. Accept that there will be some algae when you turn on the lights. Makes sense but hopefully my tangs and blennies can maintain it!
6. When should I turn on the skimmer and start up the refugium? I was kinda confused about this part in their videos!
I really appreciate the help! Cycling seems to be more confusing than I remember lol.
Getting ready to cycle my 180G within the next week or two and really want to do my best to skip the ugly stage!
From experience! what has worked best for you? (The questions are formatted as "My understanding. Making sure I understand it correctly and any questions I have.")
I watched a few BRS vids and this is my understanding.
1. Do the nitrifying cycle slow! I plan on dosing microbacter7 for a month. Should I dose it longer? I am also not sure that ammonia source is best...
2. After the month add your clean up FISH! Don't turn on your light yet either! I have a question about this. Is it ok to add a tomini or kole or other bristletooth tang as one of the first fish? Should I wait longer like the 3rd month maybe? Will they be aggressive to future tangs?
3. Dose some kind of cleaner like vibrant! When do I start dosing this? From day one or after the tank is done cycling?
4. Don't turn on your lights for four months. No questions makes sense!
5. Accept that there will be some algae when you turn on the lights. Makes sense but hopefully my tangs and blennies can maintain it!
6. When should I turn on the skimmer and start up the refugium? I was kinda confused about this part in their videos!
I really appreciate the help! Cycling seems to be more confusing than I remember lol.