Keeping Tank Cycled Once Finished

Schraufabagel

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I am currently cycling my live rock and live sand in a trash can. My question is, once the cycle is complete, do I have to periodically add Ammonia Chloride until I add livestock? I won't be adding any livestock until June once I have moved. And that's just adding them to the 20 gallon QT that I will have. After another month (in July), the 5 fish will be moved to my 25 gallon display tank. I will however add a clean up crew and inverts in June, so I don't know if that's enough to keep the bacteria population established.
 

Azedenkae

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I am currently cycling my live rock and live sand in a trash can. My question is, once the cycle is complete, do I have to periodically add Ammonia Chloride until I add livestock? I won't be adding any livestock until June once I have moved. And that's just adding them to the 20 gallon QT that I will have. After another month (in July), the 5 fish will be moved to my 25 gallon display tank. I will however add a clean up crew and inverts in June, so I don't know if that's enough to keep the bacteria population established.
Nitrifiers can survive starvation for a long period of time, from a few weeks to a few months. With that said, given the duration of your delay, I would suggest adding ammonium chloride every two weeks or so, especially since you already have it on hand and well, you're not gonna use it for anything else probably right? XD Why waste fish food or whatever when you can just use the ammonium chloride. Might as well use it during this time. If you want to be super sure, every week would suffice too.
 
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Schraufabagel

Schraufabagel

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Nitrifiers can survive starvation for a long period of time, from a few weeks to a few months. With that said, given the duration of your delay, I would suggest adding ammonium chloride every two weeks or so, especially since you already have it on hand and well, you're not gonna use it for anything else probably right? XD Why waste fish food or whatever when you can just use the ammonium chloride. Might as well use it during this time. If you want to be super sure, every week would suffice too.
I'll plan on adding some of it every two weeks. Thank you!
 

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