Well I have my tank up -- Im waiting on my lifereef sump ... Do you guys think I can start cycling my LR with just powerheads and water changes until my sump gets here???
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Start Cycling???
- Thread starter chuckstyl5
- Start date
The tank is empty -- I was going to put the water, sand and about 40lbs of LR in it ... That was about it --- its a 72 bow .... Im a noob so i just wanna do it right the first time and i am very open to any suggestions.. Thanks
The problem is your tank is not going to be equipped to handle bio load at this point. It needs something to kick off an amonia level (fish poop, raw shrimp, intant cycle) that is going to start your bacteria breaking down bad stuff. If you just add fish now after doing nothing, that is when you are going to get your spike, and it could kill your fish.
Get live bacteria (Bio Spira or similar) and start the cycle. Make sure your temp is at 76 - 78 F and add two/three cheap fish. I would suggest green chromis instead of damsels.
Damsels just do not die and they are a bully once the tank is established.
Keep checking the water parameters every other day. Do not do a water change. With the bacteria, you can cut the cycling time dramatically.
Good luck.
Sunny
Damsels just do not die and they are a bully once the tank is established.
Keep checking the water parameters every other day. Do not do a water change. With the bacteria, you can cut the cycling time dramatically.
Good luck.
Sunny
Fred, I was going through your thread with my wife and she pointed out you still might even need to add something to be certain your tank has cycled fully. Adding LR and LS to a tank alone will cycle it, but with such a small tank, adding a fish (without a stronger biological cycle, like a piece of dead shrimp) can push your ammonia levels up again even though you have already cycled the LR and LS, and produce a second ammonia cycle.
I picked up some Dr. Tims this weekend to jumpstart our tanks after our crash. Seems to be pretty good, I know other have had good experiences with biospira. We also added prodibio startup as well.
I picked up some Dr. Tims this weekend to jumpstart our tanks after our crash. Seems to be pretty good, I know other have had good experiences with biospira. We also added prodibio startup as well.
This is MNAT, I'm responding with my wife (NikkiT)'s name. If you use the raw piece of shrimp you will get a definite cycle, but it will take longer. If you use the instant cycle stuff, it will be much quicker (supposedly 24 hours) but I can't really attest to how successful it is since this is my first experience with it. I have read reviews where people swear by it, but can't personally give a recommendation. Also, most fish stores carry the instant cycle stuff so you don't need to order it.
MNAT -- So if I were to add LS like natures ocean sand and LR in my tank it will start to cycle?? If it takes a long time (approx 1 - 1.5 months) thats ok -- Im not in any rush ... If this alright should I just use a koralia to give the tank some flow???
You need to add instant start or a piece of raw shrimp to really kick in your cycle. LR and LS will start a cycle but a very small one. You will think you have completed your cycle but when you add fish and start feeding them you will get another ammonia spike.
ok awesome ... thanks for everything --- one last thing..should i wait for my sump/skimmer or can I go ahead and start this cycle without it and just powerheads??