New tank break in fish

Iron Maiden · 06/08/2007, 06:48 AM

Years ago when I cycled my first tank I was told to use black mollys to speed up the process. I know that they are use to brackish conditions and they did well for this purpose.
Now I am breaking in a 125 and using the same idea. I was wondering if anyone here does this and if so, how much time does this really cut off of the cycling process? It amazes me that these critters can stand the upward climb of nitrites and amonia!

SDguy · 06/08/2007, 08:05 AM

Using fish to cycle a tank is kind of passe. Just throw in some live rock. Is it going to be FO, FOWLR, REEF?

sabbath · 06/08/2007, 08:07 AM

Just put some food in it, to start it.

csb · 06/08/2007, 09:30 AM

If you have access to fully cycled live rock at your LFS, you'll have a minimal "cycle" because the bacteria colonies on the rock are already established.

Lion_Babe · 06/08/2007, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sabbath
Just put some food in it, to start it.

Ditto. Save the fish.

Just a side note. I have set up tanks where to this day have never cycled. In all my years, I have only had QT with BB and really no filtration cycle.

Good luck!

Iron Maiden · 06/08/2007, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SDguy
Using fish to cycle a tank is kind of passe. Just throw in some live rock. Is it going to be FO, FOWLR, REEF?

Its a reef tank. I have about 130lbs of liverock in it. I'm surprised that no one here has used the molly trick. I was told this by a LFS owner years ago. Putting a dozen of them in the tank seemed to cut the cycle time. My nitrites and amonia spiked quickly and were gone in about 3 weeks. Maybe just my imagination, but it was fast. And the LFS will buy the mollies back so nothing lost.

SDguy · 06/08/2007, 05:35 PM

Live rock will cycle your tank just like fish. The same thing would have happened if you added no fish and just the rock, IMO.

Snook65 · 06/08/2007, 05:49 PM

Another vote for live rock or an uncooked piece of shrimp or fish.

am3gross · 06/08/2007, 06:05 PM

what i have always learned is that in this hobby you have to have patience. if you do not have it in the very begining then the success of your tank is not going to be good. take the time and let it cycle the right way. save the fish. in the end you will have a better established tank. just my opionion.

mike

bugsy1 · 06/08/2007, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Snook65
Another vote for live rock or an uncooked piece of shrimp or fish.

same here, just 6 short weeks

WingnutSr · 06/08/2007, 06:27 PM

I used live rock purchased at a LFS. Threw in one cocktail shrimp. Cycle was complete in 2 weeks.

06/08/2007, 06:48 AM	#1
Iron Maiden Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 79	New tank break in fish Years ago when I cycled my first tank I was told to use black mollys to speed up the process. I know that they are use to brackish conditions and they did well for this purpose. Now I am breaking in a 125 and using the same idea. I was wondering if anyone here does this and if so, how much time does this really cut off of the cycling process? It amazes me that these critters can stand the upward climb of nitrites and amonia! __________________ "Here's to you Mr. way too proud of Texas guy". Current Tank Info: 125gal reef with 2 yellow tangs, 1 skunk clown, 7 lemon damsels, 4 pink smiths damsels, 1 scooter blenny, 1 banded coral shrimp, sally lightfoot, 2 hermit crabs, 4 gigantic turbos, 2 anemoneis, and corals.

06/08/2007, 08:05 AM	#2
SDguy Fish heads unite! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 23,384	Using fish to cycle a tank is kind of passe. Just throw in some live rock. Is it going to be FO, FOWLR, REEF? __________________ Peter SDMAS member Marine tanks since 1989. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º> Current Tank Info: 240g butterfly and angel FOWLR. 15g QT.

06/08/2007, 09:30 AM	#4
csb Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 541	If you have access to fully cycled live rock at your LFS, you'll have a minimal "cycle" because the bacteria colonies on the rock are already established. __________________ Winter ski bum, summer reef bum. Tank pics at http://picasaweb.google.com/snojrnl Current Tank Info: 30g mixed reef

06/08/2007, 05:35 PM	#7
SDguy Fish heads unite! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 23,384	Live rock will cycle your tank just like fish. The same thing would have happened if you added no fish and just the rock, IMO. __________________ Peter SDMAS member Marine tanks since 1989. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º> Current Tank Info: 240g butterfly and angel FOWLR. 15g QT.

06/08/2007, 06:05 PM	#9
am3gross Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: va Posts: 1,243	what i have always learned is that in this hobby you have to have patience. if you do not have it in the very begining then the success of your tank is not going to be good. take the time and let it cycle the right way. save the fish. in the end you will have a better established tank. just my opionion. mike __________________ There are five things that you cannot recover in life: (1) The Stone...........after it's thrown, (2) The Word...............after it's said, (3) The Occasion......after it's missed, and ...(4) The Time.............after it's gone. (5) A person...............after they die Current Tank Info: 210 display, 75 gallon fuge

06/08/2007, 08:07 AM	#3
sabbath Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Twin City's Mn. Posts: 1,771	Just put some food in it, to start it.

06/08/2007, 05:49 PM	#8
Snook65 Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 289	Another vote for live rock or an uncooked piece of shrimp or fish.

06/08/2007, 06:27 PM	#11
WingnutSr Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Clermont Florida Posts: 463	I used live rock purchased at a LFS. Threw in one cocktail shrimp. Cycle was complete in 2 weeks. __________________ Nobody saw me do it. You can't prove a thing! Current Tank Info: 125 AGA Mixed Reef, 55 AGA sump/fuge. 160 lbs LR, Little Giant 4-MDQX-SC, Rio 2100, Seio M1500. Tunze DOC 9010 skimmer. 6 X 96watts PC lighting.