Premixed water, cycle or no cycle?

[dmerian]

Hi I’m wondering if you use premixed water from Petco to set up a new reef tank, don’t you still have to cycle it? Somebody said you don’t need to but I doubt it. Since I’m really new maybe someone with more experience can answer my curiosity. Thanks

 

[LavenderTi]

Yes you still have to cycle it.

The only way to skip a cycle is to use rock or substrate that’s been in an established system for awhile.

 

[LandLockedJones]

Yes you will still need to cycle the tank. The bacteria will buildup on sand and rocks and does not live in the water itself.

 

[vaguelyreeflike]

Cycling is the process of building bacteria populations within your filtration, rock and substrate. So even if the water itself is from a cycled tank, it unfortunately isn’t transferring over enough bacteria to be considered “cycled” in any way.

As already mentioned, the only way to speed up a cycle is to use established substrate, filtration and/or live rock.

 

[dmerian]

Okay good to know. I have a four months old tank and lose and win battle everyday so still have to learn a lot. Appreciate the answer guys!