Cycling question

[rob020880]

Hello everyone,

I am cycling my new tank and was wondering if I should use my uv sterilizer or not during this period? Also should I use carbon during the cycle or not?

[papagimp]

I wouldn't, more personal preference than anything though. I don't see the point.

[Blown 346]

I wouldnt use it either as anything that passes by the UV light is killed. I would wait until you have your tank stabile.

[Seadoc]

Once you have your cycle done, you can start using a UV sterilizer. But that time all the beneficial bacteria will be already established in your rocks and sand. Although I don't think the cycle will stop because you use UV light, it might take longer to complete.

[nrstype]

Not needed. Your system is too new to even require the use of a UV sterilizer. Carbon, like papagimp said.. is a personal preference. You don't need it, but I used it when I started my 10g nano with no ill effects.

In any event, you shouldn't need either at this point.

[bertoni]

Using carbon during the cycling period might help a bit with removing toxins and saving some animals, but there's often enough organic debris in the water column that the carbon might be overwhelmed very rapidly, and fail to make a significant difference. I'd do some water changes if the ammonia were high.

The UV sterilizer likely won't have much effect either way. The bacteria doing most of the ammonia processing live on the substrates, as far as anyone can tell.