How do you cycle a aquarium for coral and fish

[ourcoralreef]

Hello everyone R2R asked that we start new topics
Personally i have seen so many methods of cycling a aquarium ?
What did you do and what were your results
If you could how would you do it in a new system?

In my old system i used rock from other people tanks and went with that i had very little knowledge on cycling a aquarium and while that method worked i always had high nitrates a phos and i was always fighting them i also had some pests tag along

My new system i acid and bleached my rocks (pukani) and i used Redsea bacteria starter kit i also added a bottle of fritz bacteria and im very happy with the results

So what did you do?
And what would you do differently?

 

[Crabs McJones]

To cycle mine I used 10 pounds of live rock and a bottle of dr Tim's with raw shrimp from the grocerie store. Took about 3 1/2 weeks to finish cycling.

 

[SPR1968]

ATM Colony

That’s it.

I’ve used it on 2 occasions and it works and you add fish virtually straight away.

The tank is cycled and good to go.

I know the old ways work, so I’m not knocking those who do the rotting shrimp etc, but it’s 2018.

 

[siggy]

Real alive Rock and 2 or 3 different strains of bacteria during the first month.

 

[ourcoralreef]

Real alive Rock and 2 or 3 different strains of bacteria during the first month.

Would you do it again
Any pests or parasites

 

[siggy]

Would you do it again
Any pests or parasites

Do you mean would I do it a FOURTH time? absolutely! What do you think you'll have after 3 to 4 years of running ? the same sterile tank you started with? I have never started a Dead rock system so really I don't Know what to expect, I am assuming that established tanks are teeming with life other than what was placed into the tank. I don't know how or where the sponges stars worms pods snails and so on come from but they show up.

 

[cracker]

I have always used the shrimp technique . Lately I have experimented cycling Q/T's using bottled bacteria. Last round I used SeaChem stability. Next round I will try Dr Tim's.
If I'm cycling a new tank I use at least 50% Live rock from a previous tank. I think this helps a lot. Haven't found anyway much faster.

 

[Retro Reefer]

Not always easy but the best way is with rock fresh from ocean, my last two tanks I used artificial rock and it worked ok but my current build will be seeded with fresh live rock from the Key’s.. IMO no better way to get the bacteria you need.

 

[Greybeard]

I've been in this game a while... used cycling methods varying from sacrificial fish (a method, thankfully, long out of favor), to fresh live rock, a bit of salad shrimp... there are many ways to skin this particular cat.

My last tank, I used Red Sea's 'Reef Mature' kits. Comes with bottled bacteria, alkalinity booster, Coraline starter, and NoPox. A bit pricey, for lager systems... I ended up using 3 kits, at $30 each. I have to say, it worked out very well, but I wouldn't recommend the method, at least not for larger tanks.

If I ever start a new tank again... and I may not... Dr. Tim's one and only would seem to be the thing, these days.