Fishless coral/invert cycle

TK_KW

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Hey @Randy Holmes-Farley

So I reset one of my qt tanks. New 40g gallon with external overflow, and 30g sump. Its been running for about 4-5 weeks. I had seeded it from my display. But a couple factors I think made it restart a cycle. So I dosed KZ ZeoBak and Zoe bio, one. Did one drop of each. With no fish, how often should I dose dr tims ammonia? And how often do I need to add any more KZ or Amonia.

Secondly, once it's cycled and settled down. With it being a fishless system only meant for coral/invert qt. What can I do to combat it being fishless and the bacteria.

Currently my display tank auto waterchanges from my display into that quarantine. Then from that quarantine to the drain. Does 4 gallons a day. So my mature system is at least feeding nutrients into that fishless system.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.
 

lapin

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Dose ammonia to 2ppm let it fall. if it falls to 0 in a day then its cycled. 4 weeks with dirty water its prob all ready cycled. No need to add nutrients if its getting them form your other tank.
 

Randy Holmes-Farley

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Secondly, once it's cycled and settled down. With it being a fishless system only meant for coral/invert qt. What can I do to combat it being fishless and the bacteria.
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I’d just follow the standard Dr Tim’s directions, but the criteria seem lower so one need not send it as high if you don’t want.

I presume you intend to use foods of some sort?
 

Devisissy

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Dr Tim's drew out my cycle months on a previous tank. Yes it's good sound science and yes it works. However, I'm fat, old, tired, and dang it I want it now. So I swear by the safe start crap by tetra. Toss the suggested amount in the tank. Ghost feed for like three days. Toss in a sacrifice, if it lives you good if it don't, add more fish food. 3-5 days cycled.
 
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TK_KW

TK_KW

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I’d just follow the standard Dr Tim’s directions, but the criteria seem lower so one need not send it as high if you don’t want.

I presume you intend to use foods of some sort?
Will have inverts in qt. Going through there qt time frame. So yes periodically will feed into take for them
 

Freshwater filter only or is it? Have you ever used an HOB filter on a saltwater tank?

  • I currently use a HOB filter on my reef tank.

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  • I have used a HOB on fish only or quarantine tanks, but not on the display tank.

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  • I have never used a HOB on a saltwater tank.

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