Cycling a tank

[Reefacist]

Guys I was gonna follow the 4 month cycle by brs but I will not be adding coral until like month 6-7 since I will be moving and don’t want to lose coral during that process.
Then can I decrease it to a more like 2month cycle? Because once I add fish and coraline can I just add more fish? I guess I am asking if I add my first fish at month 2 can I pretty much add any fish I want after that? Of course making sure they are good tank mates and don’t eat coral (for the future).

 

[Flippers4pups]

Has a lot to do with your tanks ability to handle the bio load. I would go slow and seriously consider a QT for observation and treatment if needed, if you haven't thought about it already.

Side note: adding fish before coral is perfectly fine.

 

[Bryn]

Depending on the ammonia load, will determine the amount of fish you can add. If your tank can handle a 2ppm ammonia load, then you should be able to add a fish that produces 2ppm of ammonia, and the system will be able to handle in 24 hours. Add two of these fishes, and the system can handle the first fish, but the second fish will be like starting a cycle again, but with the addition of bacteria already present, so not taking so long.

So you need to add fish slowly, one every couple of weeks, if it is a 2ppm ammonia load fish. Maybe it is a smaller fish, or you over feed so produce more ammonia, this can vary what you can add. Confused, I understand, it is a bit like magic, it works but not sure why. Actually adding corals is easier, just make sure your nitrates are low for the coral you are adding, fish, well you just have to do your best, as I have not seen a table of fish, with ammonia loads next to them to help decide what to add, how, or when.

So cycle your system, and add your fish slowly. Hope this helps.

 

[Reefacist]

Has a lot to do with your tanks ability to handle the bio load. I would go slow and seriously consider a QT for observation and treatment if needed, if you haven't thought about it already.

Side note: adding fish before coral is perfectly fine.

Thanks...Idk if I have room for a qt. I went a little bigger than expected. I went with a 120 instead of a 60 in an apartment so kinda small on real estate but will def run a qt at the house once we move.
Is it all that important with not too many fish in the tank? Like if I add the first 2-3?

Depending on the ammonia load, will determine the amount of fish you can add. If your tank can handle a 2ppm ammonia load, then you should be able to add a fish that produces 2ppm of ammonia, and the system will be able to handle in 24 hours. Add two of these fishes, and the system can handle the first fish, but the second fish will be like starting a cycle again, but with the addition of bacteria already present, so not taking so long.

So you need to add fish slowly, one every couple of weeks, if it is a 2ppm ammonia load fish. Maybe it is a smaller fish, or you over feed so produce more ammonia, this can vary what you can add. Confused, I understand, it is a bit like magic, it works but not sure why. Actually adding corals is easier, just make sure your nitrates are low for the coral you are adding, fish, well you just have to do your best, as I have not seen a table of fish, with ammonia loads next to them to help decide what to add, how, or when.

So cycle your system, and add your fish slowly. Hope this helps.

Thanks never thought of it this way and ya def a table will help everyone. Maybe you can make one lol...but I’m sure it will vary a lot since good and poop affect levels right? So if someone likes to feed higher amounts it will be diff than lower feeder and I’m sure the type of food will affect it too, right? I guess just add slow is the key

 

[Bryn]

Thanks...Idk if I have room for a qt. I went a little bigger than expected. I went with a 120 instead of a 60 in an apartment so kinda small on real estate but will def run a qt at the house once we move.
Is it all that important with not too many fish in the tank? Like if I add the first 2-3?



Thanks never thought of it this way and ya def a table will help everyone. Maybe you can make one lol...but I’m sure it will vary a lot since good and poop affect levels right? So if someone likes to feed higher amounts it will be diff than lower feeder and I’m sure the type of food will affect it too, right? I guess just add slow is the key

Everything you said as an affect. Just slowly add and you should be good.