Cycling a new tank

[Jericho]

What is the best way to cycle a tank? The two suggestions that I have read about and am considering are:
1) Cycle with live rock.
2) Cycle with a table shrimp.
I don't know if it makes any difference, I am planning on doing a deep sand bed. Also it will be a reef tank.

 

[swannyson7]

If you intend to use mainly dry rock and seeding it with a couple pieces of live rock, then I'd definitely recommend using a piece of shrimp or pure ammonia to kick start your cycle. If you plan on using all live rock, the die off from transport is generally enough to kick start the cycle, but it wouldn't really hurt to add a piece of shrimp.

 

[Steven R]

I would add your rock then the sand and throw some table shrimp in there.. You want your ammonia to rise to at least 0.02 ppm to start the cycle. The only reason people use to cycle with fish is the amount ammonia stays steady in the tank till the bacteria colonize.. but if you are adding the rock and shrimp alone you will have enough to drive the chemicals of the tank with the combined die off of the rock and table shrimp. if this is your first tank I would do a lot of reading on deep sand beds there is a lot to learn about them. This is just my two cents good luck and hopefully this help..

 

[Jericho]

This is my fist tank. I am reading lots and not going to set up the tank until after the kids summer break is over. That way, I have the time to really spend setting up the tank. If there is any suggested reading, please let me know. I have spent lots of time looking on line, but I spend lots time out in the oil field, so books are something else that I am looking for.
From what I have, the disadvantages of a deep bed seem to be out weighed by the advantages.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Welcome to R2R! Thanks for joining and please make sure and post often!

I would cycle with live rock myself if possible.

 

[BarbH]

For reading materials two books I have which I would suggest is The Conscientious Marine Aquararist by Robert Fenner, the second is The New Marine Aquarium by Michael S Paletta. You should be able to find both of them on either Amazon or Ebay used. The Paletta book I guess you could say is a little more generalized but I did find it to be a quick and easy read.

 

[Steven R]

Also marine chemistry by G.H.Brightwell.

 

[shred5]

With dead rock I just slowly increase the load, There really is no cycle because there is no die off like with live rock unless your dead rock is not precured or bleached to remove the organics. With dead rock it just takes longer to build bacteria from zero. Bacteria added to the tank can help more than anything. Also now a days Skimmers are so efficient and most run them so over sized that we rely less on biological filtration.

 

[Mufasa31]

I like the idea of cycling with live rock and a cup of live sand from a pest free tank once every week or 2 until the cycle is done.

 

[Tenor]

I alway cycle with live rock, sand and never dump any food in there...

 

[REEFKEEPER10]

IMO if you use live rock and put a few table shrimp in it may cycle a little quicker and the fast it cycles the less die off you will have on the live rock from the cycle. But I could be completely wrong. It sounds right in my head. Lol

 

[mallorieGgator]

Welcome! I would go with mostly dry rock and a few pieces of live rock you know are clear of pests and use a small shrimp.