cycling my aquafium?

Discussion in 'General Reef Topics' started by chewbaca, Jan 25, 2012.

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  1. chewbaca

    chewbaca Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2011
    Messages:
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    Just got a 112gallon. I've put about 70 lbs of live rock, 10 gallons of water and a biowheel filter from an established tank in it. I got new sand and filled the rest of it with new water. Should the cycling be shorter than normal or should I still expect to wait several weeks?
     
    chewbaca, Jan 25, 2012
    chewbaca, Jan 25, 2012
    #1

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  2. Mr. Bill

    Mr. Bill Native Floridian

    Joined:
    May 28, 2011
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    USA
    It may be somewhat shorter as you have introduced a large quantity of nitrifying bacteria; however, you still need to feed the system with an ammonia source (i.e. raw cocktail shrimp) so the colonies can multiply and spread. Just monitor your ammonia and nitrite levels; once they peak then return to zero, you can start slowly stocking your tank.
     
    Mr. Bill, Jan 25, 2012
    Mr. Bill, Jan 25, 2012
    #2
  3. chewbaca

    chewbaca Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2011
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    Already added a handfull of brine shrimp, just wager to go and not seeing any changes
     
    chewbaca, Jan 25, 2012
    chewbaca, Jan 25, 2012
    #3
  4. chewbaca

    chewbaca Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2011
    Messages:
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    OK so I did the whole shrimp thing, but still no spikes, my nitrates went to 40 at one point but That's all that's happened. My buddy who has been in the hobby for 30 years tells me I'm safe and to start adding my coral slowly. I'm skeptical still. Any one else think I'm safe?
     
    chewbaca, Feb 1, 2012
    chewbaca, Feb 1, 2012
    #4