No way my tank cycled this fast

[SteelRain]

Just did a new 25g lagoon build. Technically this is a tank transfer; however, I only added roughly 5 pounds of live rock from an existing tank so I’m treating it as a new tank. I used 4x recommended dose of turbo start 900 and Dr Tim’s for ammonia. I’m only 48 hours in and my ammonia is zero and my nitrates are high. I dosed 2ppm of ammonia immediately and then checked ammonia 24 hours later - zero ammonia. I added another 2ppm and checked 24 hours later (today) and zero ammonia. I did something wrong right? I’ve never used turbo start; my tanks have always taken at least a couple of months to cycle.

 

[Reefer Matt Verified Media Partner]

Just did a new 25g lagoon build. Technically this is a tank transfer; however, I only added roughly 5 pounds of live rock from an existing tank so I’m treating it as a new tank. I used 4x recommended dose of turbo start 900 and Dr Tim’s for ammonia. I’m only 48 hours in and my ammonia is zero and my nitrates are high. I dosed 2ppm of ammonia immediately and then checked ammonia 24 hours later - zero ammonia. I added another 2ppm and checked 24 hours later (today) and zero ammonia. I did something wrong right? I’ve never used turbo start; my tanks have always taken at least a couple of months to cycle.

Live rock helps a lot. You can actually cycle a tank in a day with live rock and live sand, imo. Note, that doesn't make it a mature tank, but it is cycled to start adding a couple fish, etc.

 

[brandon429]

The live rock alone can do that if it's in the right place in the flow path


The added bottle bac works immediately from suspension and moves to all surfaces in a few days so yes that's the expected result. Bottle bac wouldn't be worth anything if it didn't do that

 

[brandon429]

The only catch in your cycle is you shouldn't do a full water change the same day you added the bacteria
After 3-4 days you could. The bac will be adhered by then

 

[twentyleagues]

I believe Turbo start is one of the better products currently out to quickly cycle ammonia. And like others have said even a little live rock is helpful.

 

[SteelRain]

Live rock helps a lot. You can actually cycle a tank in a day with live rock and live sand, imo. Note, that doesn't make it a mature tank, but it is cycled to start adding a couple fish, etc.

Wow thanks! Had no idea. I assumed that 5lb of rock could only support a small bio load. Bacterial growth is no joke, man that was fast.

 

[SteelRain]

I believe Turbo start is one of the better products currently out to quickly cycle ammonia. And like others have said even a little live rock is helpful.

I’m a believer now.

 

[SteelRain]

The only catch in your cycle is you shouldn't do a full water change the same day you added the bacteria
After 3-4 days you could. The bac will be adhered by then

Smart - I usually wait until a week after the cycle is complete so I can get all of those nitrates out. I’ll wait a week on this one too.