Cycling tank

[samanthajones]

I'm a newbie to saltwater, I'm trying to cycle my tank but haven't seen much of an ammonia spike but my nitrites are up?

 

[brandon429]

We need to see a pic of the rocks to know accurately which kind of cycle you are doing

 

[samanthajones]

I have 35 pounds of dry reef saver rock and about 6 pounds of live rock from my lps

 

[samanthajones]

 

[Diesel]

How long you are in the cycle?

 

[samanthajones]

How long you are in the cycle?

3 weeks

 

[Diesel]

Great, what else did you use than just your LR?

 

[samanthajones]

I've been putting fish food in 1-2 times a day for my ammonia source. The live rock was just added 2 days ago.

 

[Diesel]

Ah ok.
Not bad but fish food isn't enough for a quick cycling.
Try a fresh dead shrimp in a filter bag or filter sock in your sump.
Lights aren't needed to get through the cycle.

 

[samanthajones]

Ah ok.
Not bad but fish food isn't enough for a quick cycling.
Try a fresh dead shrimp in a filter bag or filter sock in your sump.
Lights aren't needed to get through the cycle.

:) I haven't had the lights on only for pictures. Anything else you would recommend besides the shrimp? We don't eat shrimp so I wouldn't be able to buy just 1 lol

 

[rayn]

You could try Dr Tims bacteria in a bottle.

I like the shrimp method as well. You could get just one at your local grocer or seafood house.

Welcome to R2R!

 

[Diesel]

Ask for a sample to cycle your tank.

That's basically all, and a lot of testing, no skimmer on.
Or you can do the Dr Tims one and only and be cycled in five days when done right.

 

[Albz]

Use pure ammonia.. Thats what i use and been successful two times now

 

[Diesel]

Use pure ammonia.. Thats what i use and been successful two times now

That's what you use with the Dr Tims too.
Of course as the OP is still new in this can you provide a dosis application as in how much ML per gallon.

 

[Albz]

That's what you use with the Dr Tims too.
Of course as the OP is still new in this can you provide a dosis application as in how much ML per gallon.

Well for my 29 bc i use around 8ml to get the ammonia around 4 ppm but she should def get bucked of water and add ammonia on there to see how much ml she needs per gallon. Than she will know how much she needs and she can throw some on her tank

 

[meir]

:) I haven't had the lights on only for pictures. Anything else you would recommend besides the shrimp? We don't eat shrimp so I wouldn't be able to buy just 1 lol

U can put in a crab or a damselfish

 

[meir]

You could try Dr Tims bacteria in a bottle.

I like the shrimp method as well. You could get just one at your local grocer or seafood house.

Welcome to R2R!

The thing is with shrimp is once there is no ammonia source the bacteria die out and there's another ammonia spike from the dying bacteria or so I heard personally I had clowns and sw ghost shrimp and dr tims bacteria but I put that in a month after the clowns

 

[mik]

I recommend for a quick cycle use seed it helps build good bacteria and help keep away bad bacteria it's not bad to keep your light on at least 5 hours a day the feeding one time a day will be good you will definitely see a bloom in diatoms then you're on your way

 

[rayn]

The thing is with shrimp is once there is no ammonia source the bacteria die out and there's another ammonia spike from the dying bacteria or so I heard personally I had clowns and sw ghost shrimp and dr tims bacteria but I put that in a month after the clowns

Never had this issue, haven't heard that before either. It all comes down to slow stocking after cycle. Cycle with shrimp and you have your ammonia source for the cycle start. Then slow stocking and it all works.

I could see it if you cycle, do your water change to drop nitrates, then don't add any fish.

 

[meir]

Never had this issue, haven't heard that before either. It all comes down to slow stocking after cycle. Cycle with shrimp and you have your ammonia source for the cycle start. Then slow stocking and it all works.

I could see it if you cycle, do your water change to drop nitrates, then don't add any fish.

Look as the saying goes "each reefer to their own"[emoji23] but yeah I've never done this and never had a problem as long as you don't overload your tank immediately but yeah