Getting Ready to Start Cycle

[7237689918]

I know there are many ways to do this but after discussing with LFS, I'm planning the following:

- Using Fritz-Zyme.
- Lights off.
- Skimmer off.
*** I'm using 100% dry rock.

Use 1/2 the bottle for the cycle. Guessing 4-6 weeks.
After cycle, add a few fish and use the other 1/2 of the Fritz.
Then, after a few weeks and checking parms, etc. discuss CUC and next steps.

It seems you can't really use too much of the Fritz but the thought was that was all that was needed (Red Sea Reefer 170) but I could use a full bottle each application as well.

I am no hurry whatsoever but just want it to go as well as possible.

My LFS is a high end build/service business, aside from retail, so I have a good amount of confidence in what they say, in general. But want to get this right.

Appreciate any thoughts!!!!

 

[EmdeReef]

Sounds like a good plan but you will need a source of ammonia to jumpstart the cycle. You can either dose ammonium chloride or add a cocktail shrimp or a few cubes of frozen fish food.

Your cycle will be complete once ammonia is undetectable and you repeatedly detect nitrates.

Once that happens, it’s always a good idea to stress test the tank by adding more ammonia source. Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[7237689918]

Thanks Emde!

I did get some Ammonium Chloride (bottle).

 

[Big G]

Good on you for being patient with cycling your tank. Lots of problems when this part of the hobby is "hurried" along. Nothing good happens fast in saltwater aquariums.
Never used Fritz-Zyme; I've used several others and have settled on Seachem Stability for the best "long term" cycling product. It's not the fastest cycle but its has been for me a rock solid good bacterial builder that avoids all kinds of unpleasant ammonia spikes, etc. in both QT and DT.
Best of luck with your new tank.

 

[Hybrid Ken]

I know there are many ways to do this but after discussing with LFS, I'm planning the following:

- Using Fritz-Zyme.
- Lights off.
- Skimmer off.
*** I'm using 100% dry rock.

Use 1/2 the bottle for the cycle. Guessing 4-6 weeks.
After cycle, add a few fish and use the other 1/2 of the Fritz.
Then, after a few weeks and checking parms, etc. discuss CUC and next steps.

It seems you can't really use too much of the Fritz but the thought was that was all that was needed (Red Sea Reefer 170) but I could use a full bottle each application as well.

I am no hurry whatsoever but just want it to go as well as possible.

My LFS is a high end build/service business, aside from retail, so I have a good amount of confidence in what they say, in general. But want to get this right.

Appreciate any thoughts!!!!

Welcome to the group.

Sounds like a good plan and similar to mine. I used Seachem Stability and a raw shrimp from the grocery store (some believe the carbon based ammonia source gives a better cycle) and in about 4 weeks had no detectable ammonia. I did run my skimmer during that time just to break it in (boy did it wet skim) and now almost at the 12 week mark have some fish in and doing great with no ammonia or nitrite and only 5 for a nitrate on a Red Sea test kit ( did do 5 gallon water changes every week on the tank of 24 gallons to control any excessive nitrate build up and thus hopes of keeping the nasty algae blooms down ….and it seems to have worked). Test corals go in in two weeks.

 

[7237689918]

Hi Ken. That's good to know and sounds like you got it right!

 

[7237689918]

Good on you for being patient with cycling your tank. Lots of problems when this part of the hobby is "hurried" along. Nothing good happens fast in saltwater aquariums.
Never used Fritz-Zyme; I've used several others and have settled on Seachem Stability for the best "long term" cycling product. It's not the fastest cycle but its has been for me a rock solid good bacterial builder that avoids all kinds of unpleasant ammonia spikes, etc. in both QT and DT.
Best of luck with your new tank.

Seachem Stability seems to be a pretty popular product.

 

[Big G]

I like it a lot. I use it after water changes in established DT too.

 

[LMDAVE]

I'm starting my second tank now, and just used Fritz TurboStart 900 on my new 94 gallon system. My LFS recommended this to me last year on my first build and told me fish can go in soon after adding it . And they were correct. I'm taking this approach. My fish went in within a few days of emptying the whole bottle for 100 gallons (not a heavy bioload, just 4 fish: 2 clowns, royal gramma, and small tang). My reasoning is the bacteria needs an ammonia source to continue to grow, and if certain strains of bacteria win out over others, wouldn't you want the bacteria to grow that is processing the ammonia coming from your current feeding regime and current fish, vs. a cocktail or table shrimp decaying? It's been one week and not once have I've seen a trace of ammonia or nitrite, so I'm not subjecting the fish to stressful levels while cycling. I've been feeding a couple times a day. So, the bacteria has been doing its job since day one. My fish are very happy and active in their new environment. Of course, I'll be waiting before coral is transferred over until I get through a diatom bloom. I know this is counter to the traditional waiting 4-6 weeks. But this system has worked for me.

 

[Hybrid Ken]

Hi Ken. That's good to know and sounds like you got it right!

Not my first reef (boy I miss my 125 gallon) but this is my first small reef.