I'm looking for a thread concerning how to cycle a new tank.I've read alot about people using dead shrimp to start but not sure wheather I want to risk.I need a thread where the basics are laid down.I'm planning on using live sand and live rock with a skimmer on a 60g tank.Lighting will be 2 250w MH and 18w NO artic bulb.Tank will have 4 to 6 fish max and corals.Anyone can help me out here? thanks.I'm just getting back into this addiction.

even though I am new to reefing.. I have had a FOWLR for about 4 years. I have always been told that you can add a few damsels to help in the cycling.. I was also told that you will not need your skimmer for the first few weeks..

Hi BLUESMAN ~

You really won't need the dead shrimp to cycle your tank if you are getting live rock. You can cycle with the live rock. The dead shrimp method is an alternative to using live damsels to cycle a fish-only tank, or to cycle a tank with very little live rock. There are slight differences in the cycling technique depending on whether you are starting out with uncured live rock or fully cured live rock.

Some people like to cycle without lights in hope of holding down nuisance algae, but if you cycle with lights you will preserve more photosynthetic life on the live rock than if you cycle without lights. Some people like to start their cycle with the skimmer off to make sure they get a good ammonia spike going, but too much of an ammonia spike is bad for preserving the life on the rock, so some people like to run the skimmer to keep the ammonia from getting too high.

If you get raw uncured live rock, your cycle can take 4-6 weeks. If you get fully cured live rock, your cycle can take less than 10 days. The important thing is to proceed very slowly with livestock introductions after the cycle.

Ninong [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

------------------
Irrational Exuberance!

I used damsels to cycle my first tank, because that's what the lfs told me to do. Don't do it! First, a few are bound to die, and why waste a life even if it is just a damsel. But more importantly, unless you love damsels and want them in your tank, you'll have to try to catch them and take them out. And try. And try. And try. By the time you've dismantled the whole tank to catch one or two damsels, you'll wish you'd never even heard of these devilish little creatures.

Go with the live rock. Or if you're not planning on having lr, pure ammonia works well. Be sure it's pure ammonia that doesn't contain anything else, like soap.

------------------
If it's broke, don't fix it---hide it.

Thanks you all for the info.I'm not planning on getting the live rock til the tank is already cycled.i don't wish to use the damsel method( did it once and too many died and what survived i couldn't catch!).So I'm back to using.........?I need a thread or some real solid LONG advice,I didn't want to tie up the BB with such a simple question knowing that this has been asked many times before.I have the skimmer left from selling almost everything else.The lights I'm currently working on thanks to Ninong.If anyone knows of some info about this cycling stuff.....give it up!THanks I love being back!

I think you should definately add the LR to start the cycle, because once you finish the cycle and add LR you will probably have to go through another mini cycle. I think your best bet would be to cycle with LR to start off with. Also wondering what kind of sandbed you are planning to use if any?

Henry

------------------
Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you fall down an open manhole and die.
-Mel Brooks

I'm going with 100# of dead sand and 10# of live sand.Your idea of using the live rock first might be what I'll have to do.I just don't the rock yet and wanted to keep everything alive on it before I entered it into the tank.The fish will be the last thing I put in.

I second the opinion of starting with live rock. Unless you get the live rock from a good local source. And can be 100% sure its fully cured. And transport it quickly and keep it in water youll have some die off and start a mini cycle. I dont like the dead shrimp method. Seems like too much of a mess. Fill the with water, toss in the sand. Wait for it to clear and then add the live rock. Pretty straight forward. If you go uncured rock id suggest a skimmer and a good stock up on RO water. Youll need to keep up on water changes if you want to preserve more of the life.

------------------
I have the mind of a 5 year old and own a fire extinquisher you cant imagine the things i do.

yep, you'll be saving yourself time if you put in the live rock now. Anytime you add live rock, unless it's well cured directly from a lfs close by, you will experience another ammonia spike.

Also, dead shrimp, while not necessary, won't hurt anything. You'd only need one fairly small piece.

Yep, get the live rock and put it in now if you can. [img]/ubb/smile.gif[/img]

Mike

------------------
I didn't do it. Nobody saw me do it. You can't prove anything.

Website