Cycling a new reef tank

[Mikie_P]

I am about to purchase and setup my first saltwater tank, I have been researching how to setup the tank and have been watching lots of youtube videos - I have found Mr. Saltwater Tank TV especially helpful!

However, I was wondering whether it would be beneficial when I start to cycle my tank to take one of the filter sponges out of my established cichlid tank and rinse it in the new tank to aid the nitrogen cycle??

Is this an advisable thing to do? thought just crossed my mind... any advice would be appreciated.

P.s. I am looking to buy:

330L all pond solutions tank
APS 2000 lph external filter
HANG ON PROTEIN SKIMMER BOYU DG-2516 - 1400 lph

I will also be installing my own RO-DI unit because I dont have a car to keep going back and forth to the LFS.

[panhandler01]

No I don't think that would aid in getting your cycle going as the strains of nitrogen converting bacteria are different for freshwater and saltwater.

[gone fishin]

I would have to agree with the above post.

[Cymonous]

I agree as well. Just start the cycle with a piece of shrimp.

[steve888]

I've read that this can help if it's coming from a SW tank but I'd be concerned adding it from a FW tank (as panhandler pointed out).

The best thing is to just let the natural die off from the live rock run its course and not try to speed up or force the process.

Remember, nothing good ever happens fast in the aquarium world. Patience is a real virtue.

I'm actually cycling a new tank myself right now so I know what you're going through. I try to just forget it's in my house. I'm only into the first week and still have a ways to go...good luck!

[Mikie_P]

Ok that's great thanks, I will just use the live rock to cycle from scratch

[wooden_reefer]

Originally Posted by panhandler01

No I don't think that would aid in getting your cycle going as the strains of nitrogen converting bacteria are different for freshwater and saltwater.

I am not sure that there are different strains.

I have used bacteria from garden soil to cycle tanks for salt water and freshwater.

For salt water, I had gradually increased the salinity.

I can't say that this absolute proves anything, but long ago, I read that there is no separate salt water and fresh water nitrification bacteria.

Apart from nitrification, there are many microbes that may well be different between salt water and freshwater environment, however. In the long run, I will be sure to include microbes from an established reef tank.

The problem that the OP may face is that he abruptly put the freshwater microbes into salt water, this is what I understand. This may well shock the bacteria too much.

One is well advised to not use fresh water to clean filter medium for a saltwater setup, for example.

[HV1990]

If you can get a small piece of live rock or sand from an established tank that should help out in bringing in other strains of bacteria and help cycle. Best of luck and welcome to the hobby

[wooden_reefer]

Originally Posted by steve888

I've read that this can help if it's coming from a SW tank but I'd be concerned adding it from a FW tank (as panhandler pointed out).

The best thing is to just let the natural die off from the live rock run its course and not try to speed up or force the process.

Remember, nothing good ever happens fast in the aquarium world. Patience is a real virtue.

I'm actually cycling a new tank myself right now so I know what you're going through. I try to just forget it's in my house. I'm only into the first week and still have a ways to go...good luck!

I do believe that this may be good advice for a beginner and for a reef tank with few fish.

Later, as one increases in skill, I would advise against adhering to this simplistic approach to gradualism.

There can well be situation when one has to cycle as quickly as possible, particularly to combat a disease situation for fish.