View Full Version : cycling
Moonstream
06/15/2007, 01:54 PM
So I have a 29 reef and 6 gallon reef tank, I need help with the cycling! How long will it take with maybe 3-5 ponds of rock in the 6 gallon? The rock is cured, and I dont think there is much to any dieoff, as the rock was shipped in water. The 29 gallon tank needs some help, the cycle hasn't started at the end of week 1 of having the rocks in. I need help! Is this normal? I am very close to putting a clown or damsel in there to cycle it! I would be doing 5% weekly WC, and feeding just enough to keep the animals alive. Would this work? I may also through in a prawn. Or maybe use shrimps?
ihopss
06/15/2007, 03:13 PM
use shrimp,, save a fish!!
Iron Maiden
06/15/2007, 03:44 PM
Just a hint, black mollies will survive in salt water. I just cycled my 125 in one week. I started with 130lbs of liverock, then added a dozen mollies. The parameters peaked in 3 days. Now Two weeks after initial setup I'm stocking with critters. After the nitrates and amonia fell to zero I took the mollies out, (sent them to a friends freshwater tank) then the rest of the parameters normaled out. Black mollies cost about $1.50ea. compared to a $5 damsel, and they survive the extremes of breakin alot better.
Moonstream
06/15/2007, 04:06 PM
Yeah, well I did know that, I didn't know it could take so little time! Well the local petco keeps them in brakish tanks, so I am halfway there! Would I have to acclimate them, or can I just put them in? Well after a 1/2 hour aclimation? Also how many should I get, and would dalmation mollys be okay? The amonia is aroud .50 right now, if it falls from this is it ok to simply add fish after cycle, or is that not high anough to be considered a true cycle?
Iron Maiden
06/15/2007, 04:35 PM
I just replaced a cup of the freshwater in the bag with a cup of saltwater from the aquarium about every 15 minutes then let them go. I used a dozen to a 125gal tank, so you probably wouldn't need more than half that. Believe me, they crap alot!
I'm not sure about the dalmation variety, ask the LFS if they are brackish as well.
As for the cycle period, .50 aint good enough. I'ts not done till the number is zero.
I believe that petco is one of the stores that will buy the molly's back. Or do like I did and find someone with a freshwater tank and not enough inhabitants! Good luck.
Fat Man
06/15/2007, 04:37 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10149258#post10149258 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Moonstream
The 29 gallon tank needs some help, the cycle hasn't started at the end of week 1 of having the rocks in.
By this do you mean that amonia and nitrates test at zero or nearly so and you saw no sharp rise or that they test high and show no indication of dropping?
Moonstream
06/15/2007, 04:43 PM
I mean, if the aonia was to drop now, and end in a nitrite spike, would the tiny testing mean that it would go through another mini cycle once a small fish or 2 were added?
Moonstream
06/15/2007, 04:44 PM
sorry, meant ammonia.
Fat Man
06/15/2007, 05:21 PM
I'm assuming by the above post you have measurable ammonia. If so be patient the cycle will finish.
Every time you add livestock you'll get a minicycle as the bacteria adjust to the new bioload.
Moonstream
07/05/2007, 03:17 PM
tank has been cycled for 3 weeks now, I have lots o' wet critters in there now. Thanks to all who helped me!
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