cycle question

Kurt03 · 04/10/2006, 09:00 AM

Would it benefit my live rock if i get my cycle going with a cannister filter with media in it before adding my live rock? My thinking in this is that after the cannister is cycled and has some bacteria to convert ammonia and nitrite then i would have smaller spikes. I have some ammonia and a cannister with media so im just waiting on my ammonia test kit. But if you guys think this is pointless then i wont waste my time. I just thought it would save some of my live rock from die off. I plan on mixing live rock with dead base rock to cut down on some of the costs, would it be better to add the base rock during this initial cycle?

kau_cinta_ku · 04/10/2006, 10:07 AM

IMO it will be a waste of time due to the bacteria won't be able to keep up with the die off from the LR if you want to save your rock the best just do waterchanges to keep the ammonia down.

Kurt03 · 04/10/2006, 10:19 AM

Thats why i was wondering if the canister would help keep the ammonia down more then water changes. Wouldnt i just dose higher amounts of ammonia to buildup the bacteria higher in the cannister or would it just not have the capacity that i would need.

Recife · 04/10/2006, 11:14 AM

What if you add live sand? That should theoretically speed up the cycle, shouldn't it?

04/10/2006, 09:00 AM	#1
Kurt03 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 3,602	cycle question Would it benefit my live rock if i get my cycle going with a cannister filter with media in it before adding my live rock? My thinking in this is that after the cannister is cycled and has some bacteria to convert ammonia and nitrite then i would have smaller spikes. I have some ammonia and a cannister with media so im just waiting on my ammonia test kit. But if you guys think this is pointless then i wont waste my time. I just thought it would save some of my live rock from die off. I plan on mixing live rock with dead base rock to cut down on some of the costs, would it be better to add the base rock during this initial cycle?

04/10/2006, 10:07 AM	#2
kau_cinta_ku Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,669	IMO it will be a waste of time due to the bacteria won't be able to keep up with the die off from the LR if you want to save your rock the best just do waterchanges to keep the ammonia down.

04/10/2006, 10:19 AM	#3
Kurt03 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 3,602	Thats why i was wondering if the canister would help keep the ammonia down more then water changes. Wouldnt i just dose higher amounts of ammonia to buildup the bacteria higher in the cannister or would it just not have the capacity that i would need.

04/10/2006, 11:14 AM	#4
Recife Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Bellevue - WA Posts: 282	What if you add live sand? That should theoretically speed up the cycle, shouldn't it?