Starting initial cycle

[grisban]

Hello reefers,

I have set up my AIO tank and i currently have dry rocks, live sand from aquaforest and i dosed some arka microbelift special blend. Is this enough to start the cycle? Or do i need to add an ammonia source like very little fishfood or bottled?

 

[Fish Fan]

Yes, I think you should add an ammonia source to help grow the bacterial population to a point where it can handle the waste from your future livestock. I like ammonium chloride from Dr. Tim’s or Fritz, or you can use food grade ammonia bicarbonate found at the baking section of many grocery stores and Michaels craft stores.

I would add enough of the ammonia to bring the concentration to about 2.0 ppm to start the cycle. I think it’s also a good idea to add a pinch of fish food too, this provides some phosphate that potentially helps the bacteria.

You can use all fish food, but you need to add quite a bit of it to get the ammonia up to 2.0 ppm.

Some just add a piece of shrimp from the seafood market, but sometimes that can literally stink lol!

Good luck!