So I have a 75 gallon reef and fish saltwater tank. I'm new at the hobby and have a biopsychology degree which gives me a heads up on all of the aspects of livestock. But I have a question about cycling. I want to start my water cycle asap. Is it true I can cycle my tank without my protein skimmer and leds?
New reefer Cycling question
- Thread starter johnyboy
- Start date
- Tagged users None
tyler1503
2500 Club Member
It's helpful to have the skimmer turned on as it needs to go through a "break in" period where it will overflow one minute and won't fill enough the next and just be a pain in the butt. This usually last a few days to a few weeks. By breaking it in during the cycle you should have a fully functioning skimmer by the time fish are introduced.
Light is helpful if your using live rock as a lot of people will get cool little corals and stuff growing on the rock. You wouldn't want a really nice little coral dying because the lights weren't turned on!
Neither are vital though and both are a personal preference.
All you need for the cycle to progress is an ammonia source, water movement, constant temperature and a place for the bacteria to colonise
Light is helpful if your using live rock as a lot of people will get cool little corals and stuff growing on the rock. You wouldn't want a really nice little coral dying because the lights weren't turned on!
Neither are vital though and both are a personal preference.
All you need for the cycle to progress is an ammonia source, water movement, constant temperature and a place for the bacteria to colonise
Like tyler sad the skimmer is nice to have to "break in" but i not even run lights dirring the cycle i would even cover the tank with a blanket. The reasoning is that during the cycle your tank has and will a high level of ammonia, nitrate, nitrites in the tank that by adding a light will make a algae boom in your tank. Imo thats what i see when a lot of new people have thees big problems with algae early in there tanks. I know its hard not to jump in and start addin fish and corals but this is imo the most crucial step in your tank and again imo the hardest. Good luck bud and dont be afraid to ask any question.
I recommend buy all cured live rock from a reputable dealer in person, transport it home wet, forego the cycle and just set up a purple aged reef. If cost is prohibitive lots of people like to buy affordable white rock and cure it months or weeks
