Good morning ! 1st post and new to marine

[Mark Cullen]

Good morning all,
I'm getting conflicting advice from various fish stores and don't want to get it wrong.
Can you help ?
I have a 140ltr tank, external can filter, Berlin airlift, heater, powerhead, crushed coral base and ocean rock, not live. The tank has been up and running for a couple of weeks, all levels are fine, no peaks. Have added a "cycle" as instructed. I am looking at adding a dwarf lion fish. One shop suggested the "cycle" 3 days usage, check levels then add a fish. I'm happy with that, Another has insisted I go through an eight week cycle and add mollys. I'm not keen on that. Patience isn't a factor, I don't like the idea of using mollys then discarding them. I should add the Can filter was taken from an up and running FOWLR set up, not cleaned though, I wanted to preserve the bacteria. Any advice would be much appreciated. Like I said patience is not an issue, I want to do what's right for the fish.

[Mad Mead]

I would not put him in until you put a tank feeding fish in. for a one whole cycle no less then 7 to 14 days. watch your levels go up and down. So your tank gets some need nutrients it need. then take your feeder fish back and get the fish you want. Making sure you are taking the steps of places your fish in the tank right rights as well. you wouldn't want your first fish that coast more and mines more to die. this is one way. You will get more then my reply.. good luck this is what I would do you don't have much life in the tank yet.

[twisted]

I would not put him in until you put a tank feeding fish in. for a one whole cycle no less then 7 to 14 days. watch your levels go up and down. So your tank gets some need nutrients it need. then take your feeder fish back and get the fish you want. Making sure you are taking the steps of places your fish in the tank right rights as well. you wouldn't want your first fish that coast more and mines more to die. this is one way. You will get more then my reply.. good luck this is what I would do you don't have much life in the tank yet.

there is no such thing as a 7 to 14 day cycle...
to do it right you need to give the tank a few months to builld up enough good bacteria and life to handle the waste that is produced by the livestock. dont use mollies, thats just cruel. get a shrimp from the store(supermarket) and throw it in there. that will help start the cycle. we have some great reads here in the stickies to teach you all you need to know about the cycle. there are no shortcuts in reefing. and nothing happens overnight

[FoMoCo Master Tech]

there is no such thing as a 7 to 14 day cycle...
to do it right you need to give the tank a few months to builld up enough good bacteria and life to handle the waste that is produced by the livestock. dont use mollies, thats just cruel. get a shrimp from the store(supermarket) and throw it in there. that will help start the cycle. we have some great reads here in the stickies to teach you all you need to know about the cycle. there are no shortcuts in reefing. and nothing happens overnight

+1
The only way to verify the cycle is complete is through water testing. Ammonia and nitrites should be and stay at 0ppm. Even then, you should wait a couple of more weeks to be sure they stay at 0. Only then, should you add your livestock.

[leebca]

I suggest you read through this post and get a feel for the optimum and best sequence for guaranteed initial success. Just follow it by picking it up where you currently are: Setting Up a FOWLR Aquarium

[Mad Mead]

I sorry every one With my little size tank is only 8gal one gal is always for filtration. its eco life is easily changed by just a little time or when comes to nitrifying it. my four cycle that is (diurnial light nitrogen carbon and the phophorus) all work faster. I will due better to make my opinion that I give to have that in mind at all time. I don"t want to hurt any one tank... I"m sorry

[twisted]

I sorry every one With my little size tank is only 8gal one gal is always for filtration. its eco life is easily changed by just a little time or when comes to nitrifying it. my four cycle that is (diurnial light nitrogen carbon and the phophorus) all work faster. I will due better to make my opinion that I give to have that in mind at all time. I don"t want to hurt any one tank... I"m sorry

thanks for not taking that too personally. one thing i think alot of new reefers dont understand is that even when a tank has completed its cycle, it may not be ready to get stocked. its so much easier in the long run to let the tank mature slowly and build a strong arsenal of bacteria to combat the abuse that our little oceans are put through. fish and corals will be so much healthier and new adds(after proper qt)...lol...will adapt and be less prone to stress when added to a tank whos owner has learned good maintanance habits and "knows" his tank. it sucks to stare at an empty tank for a few months but i promise you, waiting it out is something youll never regret!

[Mad Mead]

not at all. i have to do daily check with my tank. and I have close friendship with my store owner. so those things plus friends at a UI and online don't forget all of the books I can get my hands on. yet can still give bad advise very now and then when i'm not taking my time to reply. never any hard feelings. I'm chef tuff like bones I am.