Back in hobby- Best way to cycle a new tank?

hipertec · 08/22/2016, 12:49 PM

Ive been on the hobby for a long time and just got back into it. I have my primary tank running great and just started another 28 gallon nano tank.

I added dry sand and rocks (non live), so what is the fastest and cheapest way to get it cycled? I cant spare any live rocks or sand from my existing tank.

I do have a skimmer- you think pouring in the skimmage or using the water change water from the established tank will help? 10+ years ago, we would put a damsel in the tank and let it cycle for 4-6 weeks. Is this still the best way?

nmotz · 08/22/2016, 12:58 PM

There are several different methods:
- "ghost feed" for a few days to let the ammonia build up. Tank will begin to cycle over course of 2-4 wks
- add a small piece of raw shrimp. it will break down, tank cycles over 2-4 weeks
- you can buy powder form ammonium chloride that will start the cycle
- add a bottle of some type of biobacteria, many people like biospira. This is controversial, but I've used it and it's worked for me. Some will tell you not to use it, so maybe do some reading about it and make your own decision.

Best to avoid throwing in a damsel bc we've learned that the above methods can jump start a cycle in much the same way without stressing/killing a fish.

Best of luck to you, welcome back to the hobby!

hipertec · 08/22/2016, 01:41 PM

thank you- what do you think about using my old water from my existing tank (when doing water changes) or using the skimmage from the skimmer? I wonder if this will help?

nmotz · 08/22/2016, 03:45 PM

I don't think either of those things will help that much. Cycling a tank is about populating the rock with bacteria and the water itself carries little bacteria to generate a strong cycle. If it were me, I would start with new water, new rock, and new sand. IME, using too much "stuff" from other tanks usually backfires at some point.

I cycled my tank with ammonium chloride and added biospira. Tank was cycled in a few days, but I didn't add livestock for over a month just to be sure.

Buddy55 · 08/22/2016, 04:26 PM

If you have a filter pad or seed sand or rock from a
Another tank, even a half cup of sand it could really give it a kick.

Tanthaitrung · 08/22/2016, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nmotz

I don't think either of those things will help that much. Cycling a tank is about populating the rock with bacteria and the water itself carries little bacteria to generate a strong cycle. If it were me, I would start with new water, new rock, and new sand. IME, using too much "stuff" from other tanks usually backfires at some point.

I cycled my tank with ammonium chloride and added biospira. Tank was cycled in a few days, but I didn't add livestock for over a month just to be sure.

Dear nmotz

I'm setting a quarantine tank with new salt water (with RODI), return pump, skimmer, power head, dry rock, bare bottom. I would like to shorten the cycle (just few days) by adding nitrifying bacteria (API QUICK START) for few days, do 50% of water change, dose more API QUICK START, test ammonia, nitrite carefully then slowly adding fishes. Is that possible?

Thanks in advance
Khanh

kmbyrnes · 08/23/2016, 05:43 AM

Welcome back!
The methods mentioned by nmotz are all viable.
I haven't used the bottled products, but I have done ghost feeding, shrimp, filter pads from an existing tank and live rock from an existing tank.
I've had the best luck by using a combination of a filter pad and all new rock/sand.
Then I just dosed an ammonia solution ( Ace hardware ) to 2 ppm and waited.
I recently cycled a 12 g nano in 6 days with this method.
I always keep filter pads in my sump to give me something to use on an an emergency QT setup

jwd · 08/23/2016, 05:53 AM

I recently just cut up some shrimp and placed it in the tank. Cycle was just under 4 weeks. All rock was previously dead rock from a previous tank.

Tanthaitrung · 08/23/2016, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmbyrnes

Welcome back!
The methods mentioned by nmotz are all viable.
I haven't used the bottled products, but I have done ghost feeding, shrimp, filter pads from an existing tank and live rock from an existing tank.
I've had the best luck by using a combination of a filter pad and all new rock/sand.
Then I just dosed an ammonia solution ( Ace hardware ) to 2 ppm and waited.
I recently cycled a 12 g nano in 6 days with this method.
I always keep filter pads in my sump to give me something to use on an an emergency QT setup

What is your ammonia solution?

08/22/2016, 12:49 PM	#1
hipertec Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Southern California (Inland Empire) Posts: 1,266	Back in hobby- Best way to cycle a new tank? Ive been on the hobby for a long time and just got back into it. I have my primary tank running great and just started another 28 gallon nano tank. I added dry sand and rocks (non live), so what is the fastest and cheapest way to get it cycled? I cant spare any live rocks or sand from my existing tank. I do have a skimmer- you think pouring in the skimmage or using the water change water from the established tank will help? 10+ years ago, we would put a damsel in the tank and let it cycle for 4-6 weeks. Is this still the best way?

08/22/2016, 12:58 PM	#2
nmotz Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: FL, USA Posts: 1,433	There are several different methods: - "ghost feed" for a few days to let the ammonia build up. Tank will begin to cycle over course of 2-4 wks - add a small piece of raw shrimp. it will break down, tank cycles over 2-4 weeks - you can buy powder form ammonium chloride that will start the cycle - add a bottle of some type of biobacteria, many people like biospira. This is controversial, but I've used it and it's worked for me. Some will tell you not to use it, so maybe do some reading about it and make your own decision. Best to avoid throwing in a damsel bc we've learned that the above methods can jump start a cycle in much the same way without stressing/killing a fish. Best of luck to you, welcome back to the hobby! __________________ Mantis shrimp are the best! Current Tank Info: 20L Peacock mantis shrimp tank

08/22/2016, 03:45 PM	#4
nmotz Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: FL, USA Posts: 1,433	I don't think either of those things will help that much. Cycling a tank is about populating the rock with bacteria and the water itself carries little bacteria to generate a strong cycle. If it were me, I would start with new water, new rock, and new sand. IME, using too much "stuff" from other tanks usually backfires at some point. I cycled my tank with ammonium chloride and added biospira. Tank was cycled in a few days, but I didn't add livestock for over a month just to be sure. __________________ Mantis shrimp are the best! Current Tank Info: 20L Peacock mantis shrimp tank

08/23/2016, 05:43 AM	#7
kmbyrnes Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 2,055	Welcome back! The methods mentioned by nmotz are all viable. I haven't used the bottled products, but I have done ghost feeding, shrimp, filter pads from an existing tank and live rock from an existing tank. I've had the best luck by using a combination of a filter pad and all new rock/sand. Then I just dosed an ammonia solution ( Ace hardware ) to 2 ppm and waited. I recently cycled a 12 g nano in 6 days with this method. I always keep filter pads in my sump to give me something to use on an an emergency QT setup __________________ 125g Mixed Reef 5/26/2015; 350 Butterfly Dominated FOWLR 11/26/2015 - 11/17/20217 & 07/31/18 to ??? ; 100g Mixed Reef 11/16/2013 to 06/16/2017 Current Tank Info: Too small

08/22/2016, 01:41 PM	#3
hipertec Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Southern California (Inland Empire) Posts: 1,266	thank you- what do you think about using my old water from my existing tank (when doing water changes) or using the skimmage from the skimmer? I wonder if this will help?

08/22/2016, 04:26 PM	#5
Buddy55 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 171	If you have a filter pad or seed sand or rock from a Another tank, even a half cup of sand it could really give it a kick.

08/23/2016, 05:53 AM	#8
jwd Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: south jersey Posts: 94	I recently just cut up some shrimp and placed it in the tank. Cycle was just under 4 weeks. All rock was previously dead rock from a previous tank.