Best 'cycle fish' to start up a seahorse tank

[silvercivet]

I'm not new to saltwater aquariums, but its been over 6 years since I've kept them. Whats the best way to start up a seahorse tank? Whats the best cycle fish for the tank that wont bother the seahorses once the tank is ready.
How long do you usually cycle seahorse tanks for if its different from normal fish?

 

[novahobbies]

I'm not new to saltwater aquariums, but its been over 6 years since I've kept them. Whats the best way to start up a seahorse tank? Whats the best cycle fish for the tank that wont bother the seahorses once the tank is ready.
How long do you usually cycle seahorse tanks for if its different from normal fish?
......A dead one. Seriously, you don't need to subject a fish to the stresses of a tank cycle. All you need is a source of ammonia. Many people use a frozen table shrimp. I used a frozen silverside. Toss in the shrimp, let it start to decompose, and remove it when you register a strong ammonia reading in your test kit.

 

[silvercivet]

I've always done it with a fish(in the past I used damsels) and never had a problem with showing signs of stress or any dieing

 

[silvercivet]

Forgot to mention in first post I'm using the instant cycling sand and ocean water I buy by the gallon from a reliable source

 

[monsinour]

I still wouldnt subject a fish to a cycle. get the frozen fish or shrimp and put it in there for a day or 2.

 

[aquaknight]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Silvercivet http://best-cycle-fish-to-start-up-a-seahorse-tank#post_3338212
I've always done it with a fish(in the past I used damsels) and never had a problem with showing signs of stress or any dieing
To be blunt, doesn't really matter. The basic process on how a tank cycles, involves ammonia building, to which nitrobacters form, and change the ammonia to nitrites, and then to nitrates. Ammonia at any level is a poison, and at the levels it builds to during tank cycling, can be harmful and lethal to fish.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Silvercivet http:///forum/thread/382473/best-cycle-fish-to-start-up-a-seahorse-tank#post_3338214
Forgot to mention in first post I'm using the instant cycling sand and ocean water I buy by the gallon from a reliable source
Water has almost nothing to do with cycling. A tank would cycle just as fast with synthetic salt mixed saltwater, as ocean water. And there is no such thing as "instant cycling sand." Bacteria, fauna, etc, grow at very specific levels within the sandbed. Once the sandbed is disturbed (to a point), it has to start over again. There is no way to collect sand, that wouldn't mix the sand, let alone the thought of shipping the sand anywhere.

 

[teresaq]

most seahorse people dont even use a dead fish, They use pure Ammonia only to cycle thier tanks. That way they know nothing bad is introduced to thier tanks.
T