cycling

[reefr23]

what do u have to have in your tank for it to begin cycling? what equipment has to be running?

 

[deejeff442]

is this your first tank?
alot of people put a piece of shrimp in a new tank.they also sell a tank cycle product that will cycle your tank in about 2-3 weeks.
if you have a tank already i put a sponge in the old tank for a week and then in the new one.
run everything except the skimmer.

 

[teresaq]

set it up with all your equipment, rock and sand. You may not have to run your skimmer if you have one, but powerheads should be running.
T

 

[salt nate]

I ran everything except the skimmer, got some live rock and a clown fish and I was ready to go in a couple of weeks. Key is live rock!

 

[freeride7]

I just finished cycling my 180. Put in all of the live rock, threw 2 uncooked shrimp in a nylon bag ( easy clean-up after ), and let it sit in there for 3-4 days. Checked ammonia readings and they were thru the roof.
Took another 2 weeks for all the levels to come back to normal.