Brand New 8 gallon bio cube

[NY_Caveman]

The difference in tank size does not matter, but the population of bacteria does. You can stock a nano faster because the amount of fish is small. You would not want to populate a large tank all at once. You need to go slow and let the bacteria colonies adapt.

EDIT: with either it is best to move slow and give the bacteria time. The best practice is letting the microbiology mature slowly.

 

[Magellan]

Yeah it's not looking too bad, just need to get the nitrates down and were laughing, I MIGHT even wrangle up another clownfish pair...



I think it depends on too many variables. Honestly I've let this tank cycle for a few months now with little light and letting it just do its thing, dosed ammonia weekly and didn't think much of it. I've only cycled tanks 4 times and they have all been nanos so I can't really compare them just yet...

Interestingly, google didn’t have an easy answer for me. I saw a post saying “a 100g would take longer than 5” but no reasoning behind it. Just logically thinking it through, the actual number of bacteria at a microscopic level would be way more in a 100g vs in a 5. Assuming you started with uncycled dry rock in both tanks, way more bacteria would need to grow in the larger tank to reach the equilibrium needed to support a proportional amount of life to the 5g. But maybe it grows faster in the larger tank, assuming the amount of food you were ghost feeding (or whatever method you chose to use) was also proportional. Which would mean both tanks take the same length of time.

BRS! Do stuff and tell us about it!!

 

[NY_Caveman]

@brandon429 would probably suggest any tank started with dry rock would be cycled within 45 days. You do not even need to test in my opinion, but it is interesting to watch the cycle unfold which is why I usually do.

 

[brandon429]

Agreed
Today's bottle bac products handle ammonia instantly so 45 days using any combination of boosters/ammonia feed is enough time even without testing

The google search returns on aquarium cycling or marine aquarium cycling are all set at 30 days, not factoring how much ammonia or bottle bac was added. Nearly any open topped vessel of water and surface area cycles in a month or so left to natural devices especially with ghost feeding above

 

[Magellan]

Agreed
Today's bottle bac products handle ammonia instantly so 45 days using any combination of boosters/ammonia feed is enough time even without testing

The google search returns on aquarium cycling or marine aquarium cycling are all set at 30 days, not factoring how much ammonia or bottle bac was added. Nearly any open topped vessel of water and surface area cycles in a month or so left to natural devices especially with ghost feeding above

Nice to meet you Brandon, I’m Brandon :)

so all things are equal then. Is that just because of how long it takes any given tank to complete the nitrogen cycle, and I’m really overthinking this?

 

[NY_Caveman]

Nice to meet you Brandon, I’m Brandon :)

so all things are equal then. Is that just because of how long it takes any given tank to complete the nitrogen cycle, and I’m really overthinking this?

The short answer is, yes. Fresh or marine. The bacteria will come even if you add nothing. It is natural.

 

[living_tribunal]

Wouldn’t it all be proportionate though, assuming 1 pound of rock per gallon?

Yup

 

[living_tribunal]

Agreed
Today's bottle bac products handle ammonia instantly so 45 days using any combination of boosters/ammonia feed is enough time even without testing

The google search returns on aquarium cycling or marine aquarium cycling are all set at 30 days, not factoring how much ammonia or bottle bac was added. Nearly any open topped vessel of water and surface area cycles in a month or so left to natural devices especially with ghost feeding above

I don’t even test after 2 weeks!

Just a ton of fritz turbo start, microbacter 7(new for me), and pure ammonia chloride

 

[Magellan]

I don’t even test after 2 weeks!

Just a ton of fritz turbo start, microbacter 7(new for me), and pure ammonia chloride

did you use biomedia as well to start? (I did) took about 2 weeks for my tank as well after adding bacteria at the beginning.

seems like nature will solve the problem no matter what, but definitely possible to help her get her a** in gear!

 

[living_tribunal]

did you use biomedia as well to start? (I did) took about 2 weeks for my tank as well after adding bacteria at the beginning.

seems like nature will solve the problem no matter what, but definitely possible to help her get her a** in gear!

Biomedia? Like pods, phyto, and micro inverts?

 

[living_tribunal]

After my recent wrasse vs blenny violence I’m inclined to say that you should be really cautious. How big is the tank they are in right now? The wrasse might just feel cramped, they can be really active.

@Why-Me I’m convinced you’re a Sado-masochist

 

[sfin52]

Nitrates? What are those?!

Mine sit around 40-60

 

[sfin52]

I just took Loki on a 3mile walk. I put his back pack and placed 2.5lbs weights on each side. That slowed him down him down a lot.

 

[living_tribunal]

I just took Loki on a 3mile walk. I put his back pack and placed 2.5lbs weights on each side. That slowed him down him down a lot.

You’re only going to make him stronger.

 

[sfin52]

You’re only going to make him stronger.

Than longer walks. It's a doubled edge sword. But I needed energy out. Also adding weight gives him something to do on the walk. It changes his focus. It really is amazing.

 

[living_tribunal]

Than longer walks. It's a doubled edge sword. But I needed energy out. Also adding weight gives him something to do on the walk. It changes his focus. It really is amazing.

How old is he?

 

[sfin52]

How old is he?

Just over 1yr husky

 

[living_tribunal]

Just over 1yr husky

I bet he’s a rambunctious one!

 

[sfin52]

I bet he’s a rambunctious one!

Just a little.

 

[Magellan]

Biomedia? Like pods, phyto, and micro inverts?

No, like MarinePure media or Seachem matrix. Basically you give bacteria an extra place to grow, they are porous and have tons of surface area. You just put them in a high flow area (media basket for me). I use a lot in my freshwater, and in my reef as well. Kinda like having a bunch of extra rock in your tank to keep things stable, but without significantly reducing your water volume. I don’t run a skimmer or a fuge, my tank needs all the help it can get lol