Why does cycling take so long!!!

Nnavarro1982 · Dec 17, 2015

We finally finished the half circle build and it's now day 2 of cycle. I'm so impatient. This is going to take forever!!

ImageUploadedByREEF2REEF1450413895.771366.jpg

melypr1985 · Dec 17, 2015

You gotta find something to take your mind off of it. "A watched pot never boils" comes to mind

Maybe use this time to set up your QT and start getting a fish through it. By the time he's ready to go in, your DT might be done with it's cycle and ready for your new fish. Multi tasking is fun

Nice aquascape by the way!

Thunt4jr · Dec 17, 2015

You should buy seed your tank materials

tmac18 · Dec 18, 2015

Lol it can be frustrating!!! Be patent !!! Mine only took about 3 weeks. I added live bacteria daily and seeded the dry rock with a small live rock from a buddies tank. Keep the lights out. I was told it will help with an algea bloom and the bacteria will grow faster. Great looking tank!!!

Thunt4jr · Dec 18, 2015

Billy cycle his 300 gallon tank with a bag full of frozen shrimp and leave for a few days! It's funny when his wife complains about the smell around the house!

tankstudy · Dec 18, 2015

You could add some nitrifying bacteria products. Just make sure you follow the instructions properly. If done properly you can cycle your aquarium pretty quick.

Eggyoke · Dec 18, 2015

I never saw a cycle when I used some ocean direct sand, a couple pieces of LR, and a IO bacteria. I thought I was going to see some kind of spike when I added fish but never saw anything.

Nnavarro1982 · Dec 18, 2015

Oh I have a 20 gallon nano to take up my time, I just am impatient lol. I want a beautiful reef in my beautiful tank. [emoji225][emoji225][emoji225].

tankstudy · Dec 18, 2015

Eggyoke said:
I never saw a cycle when I used some ocean direct sand, a couple pieces of LR, and a IO bacteria. I thought I was going to see some kind of spike when I added fish but never saw anything.

Just did Live Sand with some biospira myself. 0-1 day cycle. Was processing 2 ppm of ammonia in 24 hours which is pretty good. Thought I would play it safe and dose another 2 ppm to make sure and it was once again 0 for ammonia and nitrites. So I am now around 15 ppm in nitrates. If I just didn't have to double check I'd be lower on nitrates and possibly one less water change, lol...but gotta play it safe in this hobby.

I just finished making water and was planning to sit back for a week or two, now I have to make water for water changes... I'm not so excited today.