Cycling tank from scratch

[DDK]

Hello my dear marine family

I am cycling a tank from the scratch

Things I have used :

1. Aquaforest live sand
2. Aquaforest hybrid salt
3. Carbisea rocks stack and branches

What I have done so far:

1. Put the water 0 TDS
2. Put API quick start

What I am still going to do

1. Put a shrimp method

Questions is about the light cycle

1. What should be my light cycle should I switch them on from day one or slowly ?

2. Any other thing which I should or should not do ?

3. Any other input to make it a fool proof cycle.

Regards
DDK

 

[SliceGolfer]

A Beginner’s Guide to Reef Aquariums

A Beginner’s Guide to Reef Aquariums By Reefer Matt Reefer Matt’s First Reef Tank! Circa 2005 Preface: This article is a beginner’s guide to reefing and does not encompass all aspects of the reef aquarium hobby. It is meant to be a basic guide...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[DDK]

thank you for the reply.

I have read the article but still have doubt so please need help.

Regards
DDK

 

[fishywishy]

Hello my dear marine family

I am cycling a tank from the scratch

Things I have used :

1. Aquaforest live sand
2. Aquaforest hybrid salt
3. Carbisea rocks stack and branches

What I have done so far:

1. Put the water 0 TDS
2. Put API quick start

What I am still going to do

1. Put a shrimp method

Questions is about the light cycle

1. What should be my light cycle should I switch them on from day one or slowly ?

2. Any other thing which I should or should not do ?

3. Any other input to make it a fool proof cycle.

Regards
DDK

I'd recommend getting Dr. Tim’s Bacteria or Turbo Start because I’ve tried the API version and it took forever to cycle. I would also suggest using bottled ammonia instead of the shrimp method because it always cycles faster in my experience. But if you already put the shrimp in its fine.

Other than that, everything seems fine. Just keep testing your water until your ammonia reaches zero, then you can add fish. As a FYI, I wouldn't use the API test kits…or most API products in general.

Were you wondering if you should have your lights on while cycling? If so, I don’t think it really matters, but I turn mine on day one anyway.

 

[Jasongtr]

Dr tims and their ammonia, done inside two weeks, absolutely no reason to gave lights on for the first few months even if you have fish, that will just fast start algae as it needs light

 

[DDK]

thank you everyone for your reply but ammonia ready made products are not available in my area.

But I can get ammonia chloride powder and make my own solution.

Regards
DDK

 

[fishywishy]

thank you everyone for your reply but ammonia ready made products are not available in my area.

But I can get ammonia chloride powder and make my own solution.

Regards
DDK

The shrimp is fine then.