Question about new tank cycle.

[Djmike]

I am almost ready to start filling the tank. Got just about everything I need. I am making my first RO/DI water tomorrow. My question is mainly on bacteria. I am using live sand and dry rock. Do I need to add a bacteria to the cycle or does the cycle time make its own naturally? Im not in a rush to have the tank filled with fish or coral. I am really looking forward to doing this the long process way and learning SLOWLY! One other question, being the tank will have no fish or coral do I need to run the protein skimmer also?
Thanks,
Mike

 

[Lionfish Lair]

You do not need to buy any bacteria. I don't run skimmers on all my tanks. Not right, I don't have them on any.

 

[Djmike]

Thank You

 

[pdt7361]

For your cycle you have a few choices:
1. Let it run it course in it's own time...will take 4-6 weeks usually.
2. Add a raw shrimp to the tank to help escalate the cycle slightly
3. Use a bacteria in a bottle solution like Biospira to cycle your tank almost instantly.
They all have their pluses....just really depends upon your time line and your personal preferences.
For your protein skimmer, one isn't needed to be on at first....I always waited until my cycle was complete.

 

[Alex23]

How does one know when the cycle is completed? Just have to take it to the lfs and have them test it?

 

[meir]

It rly depends on your tank. The kind of rock u use, the size, the water. it's rly not a set time

 

[Lionfish Lair]

How does one know when the cycle is completed? Just have to take it to the lfs and have them test it?

You can buy test kits to use at home.

 

[erinmegan85]

I put my live rock in my 68 gallon tank on July 3rd and it's still cycling. It's so hard to be patient and wait, but I know that's what I need to do. When I setup my Nano I was a bit spoiled. The live that I got was apparently taken out of someone's tank, so I had almost no cycle at all. This time around is much different. I bought live rock, but I think it had quite a bit of die off before it got to me. It definitely wasn't dry rock, but it wasn't as seeded as the rock in my nano either.

 

[Alex23]

You can buy test kits to use at home.

But going to the lfs is still an option? Don't they usually do it for free?

 

[Untamedrose]

But going to the lfs is still an option? Don't they usually do it for free?

Yes n no...yes it's generally free for the basics. But it's also a really good idea to understand your water and your water chems.

Its a really important part of reef keeping, you need to learn it

 

[Lionfish Lair]

Waaaaait.... part of my first reply is missing. I put a picture of my Bag O' Guts up. I'm always messing that up. You don't need to buy the bacteria, but you have to feed your tank to build the different bacteria that process ammonia and then nitrite. I add a little bag of fish parts.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

Here's what I use for ammonia. It's easy to remove, when in the little bag.

 

[Alex23]

Yes n no...yes it's generally free for the basics. But it's also a really good idea to understand your water and your water chems.

Its a really important part of reef keeping, you need to learn it

Could you link me to a good kit at a good price?

 

[Alex23]

Here's what I use for ammonia. It's easy to remove, when in the little bag.

What is that?