KPhilly
Community Member
Wanted to make this thread to help a few of the new-reefers out there! I love this hobby and making things as simple as possible. Interacting with others is always a good thing!
Above is a simple diagram of how the Nitrogen Cycle works in our tanks. It's very important that the reefer knows the stages and it why it's so important to the aquarium. That way you will know if your tank is cycled or not. Otherwise, your tank inhabits will die from their own waste and your corals will wither away due to high levels of phosphates and nitrates.
There are a few methods that reefers tend to use when cycling their tank. Two primary ways are the Fish-In and Fishless cycle. They are as their name states. With a Fish-In cycle, Reefers tend to have their tank setup, including their equipment, and get some hardy fish like Damsels to place in the aquarium. (When using this method, there is a chance the fish can die from exposure to organic-toxins like ammonia which burns their gills.) They tend to the fish and test their water parameters every day or two until they similar but not limited to measurements: Ammonia: 0ppm Nitrites: 0ppm Nitrates: 2ppm-4ppm (Or even more than that.) They continue to test until the cycle has completed.
The fishless cycle is pretty simple as well. The Reefer has all their equipment established and working, just like the Fish-In cycle. but instead uses a raw shrimp, fish food, or anything that will organically decompose in the aquarium. They also then test their parameters periodically until the cycle is complete. I prefer the fishless cycle, but I do mine a tad bit different. I go to any department store (where I live is Winn-Dixie) and purchase a bottle that is pure ammonia. I then return to my aquarium, dose the ammonia until I have the measurement of 4ppm. It's simple and I am a control freak when it comes to my aquaria. If you go this route, make sure you do not purchase any ammonia with additives. Nothing with scents or soap. Just pure ammonia. It does the same thing as the other methods.
I honestly don't carry much faith in the bottled bacteria that is sold. I don't see how the bacteria can live so long in the bottle with no food source. But that is just my opinion. But I've tried covering most of the basics! If anyone has any more suggestions or see something I missed, fee; free to comment.
