Tips for cycling my tank

[Tom McCoy]

Praying my reef octopus 1000 protein skimmer comes in the mail asap because this smell his pretty impressive. I covered my tank with a towel for now to hopefully hide the smell somewhat.

 

[Tom McCoy]

I also covered my tank with a towel to help keep the smell somewhat contained.

 

[Bdog4u2]

Most people think it's cruel but if you started with live rock and sand I would a very hardy fish in to cycle it like a clownfish or damsel and if it's good rock you may never see any amonia. in 20 years I've never waited longer than a few days to add fish.
I started probably 10 tanks with the same blue damsel and he lived 8 years until my 4 year old son poured half a container of flakes in a 5 gallon and no one knew til it was to late. I wouldn't use a fish for dry rock... but live rock I have no problem doing so.