Tank Cycle Question!

jman9331 · Feb 7, 2015

Just started Cycling my tank finally after 2 weeks of getting everything together. couple questions; How often should I test the water during this period and how often do I need to do water changes? Also if im missing anything else that I need to do please let me know.

ReefAddict34g · Feb 7, 2015

I would hold off on water changes until everything stabilizes. Do you have any fish to speed the cycle up?

rayn · Feb 7, 2015

Don't use fish to speed up the cycle. Either go natural with a piece of shrimp or use bacteria in a bottle.

Test your ammonia, all you need I worry about at the start. Once you see it register, spike, then start to go down check for nitrite. Once it goes through the same up and down, start checking for nitrate. Once nitrite is 0, you can do a large water change and get your clean up crew ordered and added.

I have never worried about water changes during the cycle. Why waste the salt just to remove the ammonia you want to start the bacteria process with?

ReefAddict34g · Feb 7, 2015

Didn't think about using a piece of shrimp, good idea. BTW I wasn't saying throw a gold fish in there, most Cromis live through tank cycling

jman9331 · Feb 7, 2015

Do I test this daily, twice a day, what?

rayn · Feb 7, 2015

Weekly testing, whenever you feel like it. Ammonia will take a few days to show up. Once it is there you can watch it more closely. Figure on a natural cycle to last around six weeks with the slowest part the start up.

jman9331 · Feb 7, 2015

Thanks for the help!

jman9331 · Feb 7, 2015

jman9331 · Feb 7, 2015

jman9331 · Feb 7, 2015

sorry about that last post I have no clue what happened

rayn · Feb 7, 2015

Youch! That post hurts my eyes!

Minimalistic rock scape?

jman9331 · Feb 7, 2015

wish I could delete it! no I'm waiting for my local guy to get more rock in this week.

rayn · Feb 7, 2015

A mod will get it for you.

Off to a good start though.

jman9331 · Feb 7, 2015

is it nessecary to run the power head at this point in time?

rayn · Feb 7, 2015

Not necessary, but once you get your rock work done it gives you a chance to see how flow works before adding live stock. To low and a sand storm, to high and big under tow.