Cycle of a new tank

[k9gunner]

Can I use chromis to cycle a tank? I have used damsels in the past, but they are hard to catch with all the live rock. I would like to use something that I can leave in the tank.

[Michael]

i suggest you dont use fish to cycle the tank, let it cycle naturally

[Guygettnby]

yes you can use chromis, chromis are a form of damsels.

i also recomend not cycling with fish as well. but i have done it in the past.

[beachbumva]

why not just use your live rock to cycle your tank? No need to use and or kill a live fish, can use LR or a shrimp from your local grocery store

[WaterKeeper]

Man, I thought that practice was extinct a long time ago. K9, if you have LR in the tank nothing more is needed. The cycle was accomplished by the bacteria on the LR. If you must have an ammonia source use the shrimp or anything else that is dead. You don't need a living fish to produce ammonia.

[Michael]

oh-no you have changed your avatar WK, i just dont reconise you now

[WaterKeeper]

Bah Humbug,

Actually, it is the first time I ever changed it in 8 years but I figured I use Frederick March to herald in the Yuletide. ;)

[k9gunner]

I have put about 30 pounds of LR in it from my 150, and it still have not cycled. I have also have never lost a fish in cycle, so I am not sure why the comments, but thanks for the info.

[KarlBob]

People comment because not every fish survives the cycle, because it places needless stress on the fish even it it lives, and because afterwards you're usually stuck with the fish you used. It's just not considered a nice thing to do to a living animal, when a dead one (or live rock) will do the job.

[Skerp]

Hey waterkeeper when you said "if you must have an ammonia source" what do you mean by that? I thought live rock works well alone to cycle a new tank? Does this speed it up? Does the live rock not produce ammonia or not enough? Please explain :)

thanks,
Matt