cycling...how long to

milomlo

milomlo

Active Member
Hi,
I started my 2.5 gal on Saturday evening with cured LR and distilled water. I took a water sample to the lfs today and they told me everything was perfect.
ON another thread they told me to add a shrimp because the cycle hadn't started. So I added a shrimp. How long do I leave the shrimp in? The lfs told me that because it is so small that the cycle should only take 2 weeks.
Any input or advice????
 
treybomb

treybomb

Active Member

Originally Posted by bigarn
Uncured LR will start a cycle .... I'm sure that's what he/she meant to say.

yeah but... started my 2.5 gal on Saturday evening with cured LR and distilled water. I took a water sample to the lfs today and they told me everything was perfect.
^^ milomlo said cured...

well whatever u meant... cured =no uncured=yes lol
 
milomlo

milomlo

Active Member
Originally Posted by treybomb
yeah but... started my 2.5 gal on Saturday evening with cured LR and distilled water. I took a water sample to the lfs today and they told me everything was perfect.
^^ milomlo said cured...

well whatever u meant... cured =no uncured=yes lol
Actually I did start my tank cured rock. However as to what you said above. I was responding to the line where you said uncured won't start a cycle. I was just trying to clarify. That is all.
The reason I used cured this round as this is my first tank. I screwed up and listed to the lfs, they said that cured rock would start a cycle. However, when I actuallyl think about it, it doesn't make since that it would. So my bad.
Sorry for the confusion.
I am planning on starting a 30 gal soon and I plan to use uncured LR for this. :joy:
 
jackspets

jackspets

New Member
i work in a pet store. DIstilled water will NOT start a cycle. What starts it is the food and fish waste that is introduced into the tank. You also cant do a saltwater 2.5 gallon unless it is specially designed for salt. Your fish will not be able to survive. Also if you were to go with a 2.5 gallon tank, you must add fish for it to cycle and it will proably only take 2-4 weeks to cycle.
 
milomlo

milomlo

Active Member
I actually started the 2.5 for a QT tank. So I think it will be fine. Although I am no expert...LOL
I started my 30 gal this pasted weekend. So far so good. The fish I plan on getting are really tiny so I guess the 2.5 will be fine. One question though, once my cycle on the 30 is complete. When I add the fish do I need to put it in the QT since it is the only fish? I do plan on adding a cleaning crew first (or do U think the fish first)? Probably a clown or a small mated pair if I can find.
 
jackspets

jackspets

New Member
Dont add a cleaning crew until your tank is established (it has cycled) that way you know that there is food for them in the sand or you have algae for them to eat. I dont understand your question for adding fish though. If i do understand it, you can add fish to your 30 as long as your tank has finished cycling. (it has started to cycle? right?) as long as your tank tests good and your salinity is good, you can add fish. and with salt water you want about 2-3 inches of fish per 10 gallons, and inverts dont count.
 
milomlo

milomlo

Active Member
My question basically was when my 30 gal is ready can I add it directly to the tank or should it go in a QT first? If I get the cleaning crew BEFORE the fish do I need to QT the fish? If I get the fish first do I QT the cleaning crew?
 
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