Can a tank be cycled with frozen fish food like squid?

[thered]

If you can cycle a tank with a shrimp from a supermarket, is it possible to use frozen squid or krill?

 

[buzz]

Probably...same concept...something to get the bacteria going.

 

[kpogue]

A tank can be cycled with any type of sea food that will decay. If you are getting uncured LR or even so called cured rock you can use that. In any event it will take 2-6 weeks. After you suspect the cycle has completed, when you can test "0" on your ammo, n'trates & ites for 5 days in a row you can begin to add stuff. Also, check the PH. HTH
keith

 

[col]

Don't see why not. It just need something to cause ammonia by rotting etc

 

[sebae0]

you can cycle a tank with anything you want, pigs feet lol , flake food, dead animals, basically anything that will decay like the earlier post said.

 

[dindi]

I understood from this site that your NITRATES don't have to be zero....what is acceptible?

 

[buzz]

kind of depends on what you have in the tank...some have trates that climb to 50...fish will be ok, but inverts are goners...
I would personally try for 20 or under...

 

[kpogue]

10 - 20 But IMO 20 is pushing it in a reef tank.