Cycling help please!

[ReeferDad93]

I am planning on using live sand with dry rock. Do I need to use any bottle bacteria or just add ammonia and let the bacteria in the sand do it’s thing?

thanks!

 

[GillMeister]

If you start off with live-sand you shouldn't need to dose bacteria. You can probably start the cycling process with a clown fish abd gradually start adding more livestock after nitrites drop to zero and you do your first water change.

 

[Alex Cataldo]

Using bottled bacteria may speed up the cycle. You could probably get away with just the sand.

 

[ReeferDad93]

Thanks. Assuming the fish introduces the ammonia and I wouldn’t need to dose that either? Seems like a lot of the bottle bac states NOT to use live sand that it can have adverse effects on the cycle.

 

[GARRIGA]

Fish cycling takes considerably longer because the system can't be stressed to grow a large bacterial colony quickly. Not knowing what bacteria the sand brings then might as well consider adding a known product plus it can be cycled with less salt and at higher temperatures expediting the process without stressing the fish. Fishless cycling is more humane even if that fish is being retained.

Worth watching.

 

[Cell]

I don't consider live sand a suitable substitute for bottled cycling bacteria. If you want a quick, days long cycle use bottled bac and follow manufacturers directions, if you don't mind a month long traditional cycle, drop a shrimp in and wait it out.

 

[ReeferDad93]

I don't consider live sand a suitable substitute for bottled cycling bacteria. If you want a quick, days long cycle use bottled bac and follow manufacturers directions, if you don't mind a month long traditional cycle, drop a shrimp in and wait it out.

Which bottle bac would you suggest? I’ve read good and bad on pretty much all.

 

[Cell]

I prefer Bio Spira.

Fritz or Dr Tim's are also recommended and vetted around here.

 

[ReeferDad93]

I prefer Bio Spira.

So dry sand, bio spiral then what would I use for ammonia, Dr. Tim’s?

 

[Cell]

I'd use live sand, I don't see any reason it would interfere with bottled bac, Bio-Spira and a fish can go in, I typically wait until the next day though.

 

[Freenow54]

I prefer the fishless Cycle method. You ad bacteria which converts the Pure Ammonia into Nitrites. That bacteria becomes established and a second bacteria turns Nitrites into Nitrates . Google How to fishless cycle an Aquarium with Ammonia. I did and it works please do not add fish. It is an old method, and the fish can die