Best way to cycle a tank?

Hey guys,

I am wondering what the best way to cycle a tank is? At the moment I have about 5kg of live rock in the tank.

Can I cycle it with live rock? Should I get a fish like a chromis? Or should I add abit of ammonia to the water?

Any help would be fantastic!

Thanks

Ryan

 

A raw shrimp and time is how I do it. Many different ways to do it.

 

DO NOT ADD A FISH

First question, how big of a tank, substrate, other rock, filtration, etc

there are several ways to do it, you can throw a raw shrimp in and let it cycle that way, add ammonia daily till it cycles, simply use fish food, a few pinches a day, many many options for ya, but basically, start it, feed it some way, and wait

post info on here about how youre doing it, and 3reef will guide ya through whatever process you choose

 

Go to the supermarket, buy yourself 2 uncooked shrimp throw them in your tank at home and wait till your Ammonia spikes then goes to 0 and bam your done.

 

Live rock will also cycle a tank. Not sure of your tank size though, so 5kg may not be enough. But as others said, don't use fish to cycle!

 

Alot of people are now using pure ammonia and/or bottled bacteria products which do work,but i'm old school and prefer using raw shrimp or frozen fish food and patience.And yes please don't add anything living until am and nitrites levels have spiked and reached 0's.

 

I cycle with pure ammonia from ace hardware. Does the trick and I think it may shorten the cycle but that's jmo

 

Thanks guys,

I have a 55g tank. I dont have a sump at the moment (its coming) so its just being filtered by an Aquaone Marisys 240 (A cannister with an internal protein skimmer).

I have a few ~5kg of live rock in it.

I think ill get a shrimp or something and chuck it in. I have head that as the shrimp decomposes it makes the water really cloudy and smells aweful?

 

Yes there is some truth to that, but you have some live rock it should be able to assist in the initial cycle. Just get one small shrimp, you do not have to let it decay until it melts, two days and it should fine to remove it.
Starting with live rock is always a good start.

 

Thanks guys,

I chucked in two small peices of raw fish . They have been in there for a day but I am yet to see an ammonia spike. Shouldnt be to long away now though.