What method(s) have you used to cycle a new saltwater aquarium?

[Administrator]

What method(s) have you used to cycle a new saltwater aquarium?

[Crow]

Originally Posted by Administrator

What method(s) have you used to cycle a new saltwater aquarium?

Put the substrate in, then the live rock, then let it stew till the prem's were all in check.

[Keifer1122]

Sand rock algae turf scrubber

[DBOSHIBBY]

Dry rock, sand, one small peice of live rock, and table shrimp. Let it decay and wait till params are in check.

[BriGuy31+]

I have used LR/LS in the past. This latest time I used both of those but I added my skimate(sp?, stuff from my skimmer) from my other established reef tank. I just dumped the nasty black stuff into my new set-up. I cycled within 3-4 days when used with freshly mixed saltwater.

[weimers75]

The idea that anyone still uses live fish to cycle a tank is unbelieveable today, not to mention inhumane. Not only does ammonia literally burn the fish, but there are other methods that are just as effective and they don't hurt anything.

[Jessemac]

This last setup, I use cured rock dry and live sand and let if do its thing!

[Paul b]

I set up the tank with ocean water and added mud and some rocks from the Long Island Sound. I still add some mud a few times a year.

[tommyb]

I have tried almost all of those. I still feel bad about using fish 13 years ago or so but I didn't know better and that is what the LFS told me to do. The same LFS also set a snowflake eel, niger trigger, yellow tang and a pair of clowns would be fine in a 29 gallon plus some other fish.

Some people used to swear by using urine to cycle a tank and that one has stuck with me. I tried it once about 10 years ago now that I am older it sounds pretty gross.

[rmalone]

I would also add that once ammonia and nitrite hit zero, I toss a couple snails in and and give them a week or two just to make sure the sucker will support life. Then come a fish or two.

[muttley000]

I use the raw shrimp for producing the ammonia spike, hate to hear of people still using live fish.

[Jessemac]

Originally Posted by Paul b

I set up the tank with ocean water and added mud and some rocks from the Long Island Sound. I still add some mud a few times a year.

I wish I had the means to do this! I would be ecstatic.

[rmalone]

Its really only first tanks where people pine to cycle and dump a max bio load asap. After that everybody seems to get the picture, if they don't they need a new hobby.

Second tanks are sweet because...well...by then you understand the game, and actually enjoy and understand the cycle and just sit back and enjoy the the whole thing. Similarly, you probably have an idea of what works and the costs and proper equipment to achieve your goals. Again, if not, you haven't bothered to take advice and learn the finer points of this hobby. This is a hobby where you can rarely fit a round peg through a square hole, so knowledge is indispencable. Sure experience helps but most mistakes can be avoided with study, obsevation and a thoughtful approach. As a greenhouse grower, dog owner, and reefer, I have come to the conclusion that some people just aren't capable of taking care of living organisms.

[Jessemac]

Originally Posted by rmalone

Its really only first tanks where people pine to cycle and dump a max bio load asap. After that everybody seems to get the picture, if they don't they need a new hobby.

Second tanks are sweet because...well...by then you understand the game, and actually enjoy and understand the cycle and just sit back and enjoy the the whole thing. Similarly, you probably have an idea of what works and the costs and proper equipment to achieve your goals. Again, if not, you haven't bothered to take advice and learn the finer points of this hobby. This is a hobby where you can rarely fit a round peg through a square hole, so knowledge is indispencable. Sure experience helps but most mistakes can be avoided with study, obsevation and a thoughtful approach. As a greenhouse grower, dog owner, and reefer, I have come to the conclusion that some people just aren't capable of taking care of living organisms.

Well said!

[Paul b]

I wish I had the means to do this! I would be ecstatic.

And Muddy

Second tanks are sweet because...well...by then you understand the game, and actually enjoy and understand the cycle and just sit back and enjoy the the whole thing.

I am still on my first tank.
When it reaches fifty years old, I may start another one and have to cycle it.