Cycle Question.

[bambo]

Good morning everyone. I’ve searched the forums and can’t find the answer to this question so here goes. I’m going to start my tank cycle. I’ve added my rock and sand. I’ve heard it’s ok to add a pair of clowns as there are hardy and shouldn’t die. First off is this correct? Second do I add chemicals with the clowns or not since the fish will be in there? Third I plan to set up a QT for all my new fish and coral, should I QT the clowns before they go in my main display since they will be the first fish in?

 

[ScottJ]

Good morning everyone. I’ve searched the forums and can’t find the answer to this question so here goes. I’m going to start my tank cycle. I’ve added my rock and sand. I’ve heard it’s ok to add a pair of clowns as there are hardy and shouldn’t die. First off is this correct? Second do I add chemicals with the clowns or not since the fish will be in there? Third I plan to set up a QT for all my new fish and coral, should I QT the clowns before they go in my main display since they will be the first fish in?

Look this over.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Are you doing a dry rock start or live rock? I personally am not a fan of using clownfish to cycle a tank. It causes stress on those fish, and you risk them dying or contracting diseases. (I by no means am an expert in cycling, this is just my opinion on the matter, haha)

 

[Ben's Pico Reefing]

Tank size?
Setup?
How long has it been running?
What have you done so far to establish bacteria? There are actually tons of information in here on this. Although titles maybe more sectioned. Read article posted by @ScottJ to start

 

[bambo]

Are you doing a dry rock start or live rock? I personally am not a fan of using clownfish to cycle a tank. It causes stress on those fish, and you risk them dying or contracting diseases. (I by no means am an expert in cycling, this is just my opinion on the matter, haha)

Dry rock

 

[bambo]

Tank size?
Setup?
How long has it been running?
What have you done so far to establish bacteria? There are actually tons of information in here on this. Although titles maybe more sectioned. Read article posted by @ScottJ to start

100 gallon
100ish lbs of rock I haven’t added water yet

 

[bambo]

Look this over.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

Thanks

 

[Ben's Pico Reefing]

100 gallon
100ish lbs of rock I haven’t added water yet

So there is a couple options to establish bacteria.

You can add bottle bacteria such as fritz. Not all bottle bacteria is the same and not all work. Avoid the ones that say salt and freshwater. And add corals.

Popular is to use Dr timms. Lots of people use this. But you need to wait for results.

You can also start with adding a bunch of already established live rock and/or coral. Keep feeding light at first.

You can also dose ammonia source and wait and test as well. There are a bunch of ways to establish the bacteria.

Ensure your water source is from an rodi.
What equipment do you have and what are you interested in keeping?
Equipment such as if skimmer, sump size, pumps, lighting. This will help to ensure you have what you may need and make sure your capable of keeping what you want. Also start a build thread with this information
Tons of people will be happy to help with a lot more knowledge.