Cycling...

Discussion in 'General Reef Topics' started by SwimsWithFish, Dec 7, 2011.

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  1. Reefing Madness

    Reefing Madness Skunk Shrimp

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2011
    Messages:
    267
    It will not speed up the cycle. Only Fully Cured Live Rock, ALL of it, will speed up the Cycle.
     
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  3. SwimsWithFish

    SwimsWithFish Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2011
    Messages:
    5,109
    Location:
    DFW Texas
    Alright I guess it'll be a longer cycle.
     
  4. MickyB

    MickyB Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2011
    Messages:
    33
    Location:
    Rainham Essex UK
    Or you can add dead rock to a suitable container/large plastic bucket, with saltwater, add ordinary household ammonia (it's normally sold as a 9% solution in the UK) add 2mls for 5 galls, also add a heater if its cold where you are and set to a min temp of 20 degrees.
    You need to put a powerhead in to keep it all moving and some extra air for the bugs once they get started, then check the ammonia level, it should be really high around 10.ppm if not more.
    After a week check for Nitrite and Ammonia, hopefully you'll have a high nitrite reading and a lower ammonia reading.
    (Once this type of evil brew gets under way the PH can drop or raise very rapidly so you need to keep your eye on it and add baking soda as a buffer, if you dont the bacteria can die back and you need to start again)
    If ammonia is low add some more and keep testing every few days, (you'll be surprised how quickly ammonia can be depleted) after approx 3 weeks empty contents away refill with ready mixed/chlorine free salt water, add 1ml of ammonia and see how quickly in converts to Nitrite, leave for a few more days and test for nitrite, make a note of the reading, then retest in a few days, hopefully the nitrite level will have started to fall off, keep testing and buffering every few days until the nitrite levels are dropping rapidly and then you are good to shift the rocks to your new setup.
    As always go slowly at first with your stocking levels, and keep your eyes on the water params.