kajunsausage
Member
How long does it usually take to cycle a tank? What should I put in it first after cycled
cycling
- Thread starter kajunsausage
- Start date
wangotango
Active Member
Originally Posted by luvmyreef
http:///forum/post/3134944
well, usually 6-8 weeks. and then you start with your clean up crew. crabs, snails, etc.
+1.
You can speed up the cycling process by ghost feeding.
-Justin
http:///forum/post/3134944
well, usually 6-8 weeks. and then you start with your clean up crew. crabs, snails, etc.
+1.
You can speed up the cycling process by ghost feeding.
-Justin
contraband629
Member
I would say it depends on the tank. Mine cycled in 2 weeks.
florida joe
Well-Known Member
You can speed up the cycling process by ghost feeding.
Just the opposite will happen if you continue to add organics while you are developing your bio- filtration you will prolong the process but I am more then willing to debate this
Just the opposite will happen if you continue to add organics while you are developing your bio- filtration you will prolong the process but I am more then willing to debate this
kajunsausage
Member
Originally Posted by WangoTango
http:///forum/post/3134970
+1.
You can speed up the cycling process by ghost feeding.
-Justin
Whats ghost feeding? Is it helpful
http:///forum/post/3134970
+1.
You can speed up the cycling process by ghost feeding.
-Justin
Whats ghost feeding? Is it helpful
geridoc
Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by kajunsausage
http:///forum/post/3136172
Whats ghost feeding? Is it helpful
Ghost feeding is feeding an empty tank as if there were live organisms in it. The concept is that the added organics will speed the development of bacteria, but it only works well if it is done for the first few days of the cycle. Most people just put a cocktail shrimp in the tank and leave it there for a few days until the ammonium levels begin to rise, then remove and discard the shrimp. Overfeeding, ghost or regular, will raise the nitrogen levels too much, and that actually can become toxic to the bacteria, and slow their development. I prefer to control the nitrogen levels more closely (yes, I am a control freak), so I use Moe's method of incrementally adding ammonium chloride to the tank until I reach the desired nitrogen levels. It still takes 4-6 weeks, but I do get a greater sense of being on top of things in the tank. The only way to speed this up is to add well cured live rock that has been properly transported and added to the tank.
http:///forum/post/3136172
Whats ghost feeding? Is it helpful
Ghost feeding is feeding an empty tank as if there were live organisms in it. The concept is that the added organics will speed the development of bacteria, but it only works well if it is done for the first few days of the cycle. Most people just put a cocktail shrimp in the tank and leave it there for a few days until the ammonium levels begin to rise, then remove and discard the shrimp. Overfeeding, ghost or regular, will raise the nitrogen levels too much, and that actually can become toxic to the bacteria, and slow their development. I prefer to control the nitrogen levels more closely (yes, I am a control freak), so I use Moe's method of incrementally adding ammonium chloride to the tank until I reach the desired nitrogen levels. It still takes 4-6 weeks, but I do get a greater sense of being on top of things in the tank. The only way to speed this up is to add well cured live rock that has been properly transported and added to the tank.
spanko
Active Member
Originally Posted by kajunsausage
http:///forum/post/3134933
How long does it usually take to cycle a tank? What should I put in it first after cycled
4-8 weeks is usually in the normal range. Most would agree that the first additions be some sort of clean up crew, snails etc., to address any macro-micro algae that has started to develop.
http:///forum/post/3134933
How long does it usually take to cycle a tank? What should I put in it first after cycled
4-8 weeks is usually in the normal range. Most would agree that the first additions be some sort of clean up crew, snails etc., to address any macro-micro algae that has started to develop.
florida joe
Well-Known Member
. The concept is that the added organics will speed the development of bacteria,
Actually I believe the concept is not to speed up the bacteria growth. It is employed after bio- filtration is established as a means of feeding the already established colony’s until the hobbyist introduces his first fish
An example would be when a hobbyist first sets up his or her DT they would cycle that tank as well as a QT. with the new fish in QT they would ghost feed the DT
Actually I believe the concept is not to speed up the bacteria growth. It is employed after bio- filtration is established as a means of feeding the already established colony’s until the hobbyist introduces his first fish
An example would be when a hobbyist first sets up his or her DT they would cycle that tank as well as a QT. with the new fish in QT they would ghost feed the DT
spanko
Active Member
Originally Posted by florida joe
http:///forum/post/3136267
Actually I believe the concept is not to speed up the bacteria growth. It is employed after bio- filtration is established as a means of feeding the already established colony’s until the hobbyist introduces his first fish
An example would be when a hobbyist first sets up his or her DT they would cycle that tank as well as a QT. with the new fish in QT they would ghost feed the DT
Could it also be used to increase the biofiltration capacity before introduction of a new critter?
http:///forum/post/3136267
Actually I believe the concept is not to speed up the bacteria growth. It is employed after bio- filtration is established as a means of feeding the already established colony’s until the hobbyist introduces his first fish
An example would be when a hobbyist first sets up his or her DT they would cycle that tank as well as a QT. with the new fish in QT they would ghost feed the DT
Could it also be used to increase the biofiltration capacity before introduction of a new critter?
florida joe
Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/3136271
Could it also be used to increase the biofiltration capacity before introduction of a new critter?
Why would you want to? You would only ghost feed if there were no fish in the tank correct? Once you have a tank that Is able to cycle your bio filtration is going to grow in relationship to the organic breakdown associated with feeding that fish. Any nitrifying bacteria you would have produced by ghost feeding would diminish, as I am sure once you added that one fish you would not over feed. Henry I can however see where that advanced growth of bacteria would be essential if you were adding multiple fish at the same time to your DT
http:///forum/post/3136271
Could it also be used to increase the biofiltration capacity before introduction of a new critter?
Why would you want to? You would only ghost feed if there were no fish in the tank correct? Once you have a tank that Is able to cycle your bio filtration is going to grow in relationship to the organic breakdown associated with feeding that fish. Any nitrifying bacteria you would have produced by ghost feeding would diminish, as I am sure once you added that one fish you would not over feed. Henry I can however see where that advanced growth of bacteria would be essential if you were adding multiple fish at the same time to your DT
florida joe
Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/3136340
Tis what I was getting at my friend. If you anticipate an increase in bioload by addition of critters why not avoid the potential to cause a small spike by increasing the biocapacity of the tank slowly before hand.
why not avoid the potential to cause a small spike by increasing the biocapacity of the tank slowly before hand.
You would not want to but that begs the question, is it prudent to QT more then one fish at a time but I guess that would make for an interesting thread
http:///forum/post/3136340
Tis what I was getting at my friend. If you anticipate an increase in bioload by addition of critters why not avoid the potential to cause a small spike by increasing the biocapacity of the tank slowly before hand.
why not avoid the potential to cause a small spike by increasing the biocapacity of the tank slowly before hand.
You would not want to but that begs the question, is it prudent to QT more then one fish at a time but I guess that would make for an interesting thread
kajunsausage
Member
what is the best way to cycle a tank
jaodissa
Member
Originally Posted by kajunsausage
http:///forum/post/3140651
what is the best way to cycle a tank
To let it sit there is the answer I bet you'll mostly get! I pretty much hate hearing I have to wait but hey what can you do?
http:///forum/post/3140651
what is the best way to cycle a tank
To let it sit there is the answer I bet you'll mostly get! I pretty much hate hearing I have to wait but hey what can you do?
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
I would say about 30 days. But, during this time, always check your water parameters. As long as Ammonia and Nitrite read ZERO consistantly - your good.
calbert0
Member
i would say use the search function... this has been covered 1,000's of times. take in all the information you can and make an educated decision for yourself...
I can't believe people even respond to these questions with such politeness.... this forum is full of people with big hearts and bigger patience
I can't believe people even respond to these questions with such politeness.... this forum is full of people with big hearts and bigger patience
jaodissa
Member
Originally Posted by calbert0
http:///forum/post/3140782
I can't believe people even respond to these questions with such politeness.... this forum is full of people with big hearts and bigger patience
but I thought this hobby taught everyone patience??
http:///forum/post/3140782
I can't believe people even respond to these questions with such politeness.... this forum is full of people with big hearts and bigger patience
but I thought this hobby taught everyone patience??
uneverno
Active Member
Considering it's come up a couple times of late, if there isn't a sticky already, this is a question that is perhaps worthy of some discussion.
What is a cycle exactly?
I don't think there is a definitive answer to that question.
I can "cycle" a tank in 24 hrs or less if need be. That doesn't mean that it's the best way to go. I can also cycle a tank w/ a fish or two without, contrary to popular belief, harming the fish.
It all depends.
If you add enough established live rock to a tank at the outset, you may well never see the commonly accepted measurements that indicate a cycled tank. I set up my current tank over a year ago. 20g tank, 25lbs of established (i.e. very well cured) live rock, no other critters for the first month or so. Never saw a measurable Ammonia or Nitrite level. Added CUC about 5 weeks in. Big CUC. Never saw a measurable NH4 or NO2 level.
Was the tank cycled? Yes, but not in the traditional sense. Nor did it need to be.
I could put together a brand new 55 gallon tank. No rocks, no sand, nothing but glass, water and requisite mechanical equipment - heater, brand new filters, etc., (but no bacteria source.) Add a little bitty goby of some sort. Give it 6 months, and the tank will be cycled. Would I recommend that? Absolutely not. The tank will be "cycled" so to speak however, and the goby will suffer no ill effects in the process. Alternatively, add 7-8 medium sized Damsels and that's animal cruelty IMO, because they will suffer ill effects.
What "cycled" means to me, is that the Nitrogen processing bacteria are able to keep up with the nitrogen producing stuff in the tank. That stuff can be alive or dead, doesn't matter. Doesn't even have to be saltwater. One could cycle a tank with a chunk of raw beef, shrimp, rabbit, even cat poo. It doesn't matter. (Well, the cat poo may not be a good idea for other reasons, but it will work to establish the cycle.)
All that matters is that new bioload is added at a slow enough rate to allow Nitrogen processing bacteria to do their jobs.
That applies equally to a new tank or an established tank. Toxic levels of Ammonia ---> Nitrite can easily be generated simply by overfeeding.
Bottom line is, regardless of the age of the tank, the bioload should not (soft vs. hard cycle, which is, perhaps, another discussion) IMO, be allowed to exceed the bacteria's ability to compensate for it.
What is a cycle exactly?
I don't think there is a definitive answer to that question.
I can "cycle" a tank in 24 hrs or less if need be. That doesn't mean that it's the best way to go. I can also cycle a tank w/ a fish or two without, contrary to popular belief, harming the fish.
It all depends.
If you add enough established live rock to a tank at the outset, you may well never see the commonly accepted measurements that indicate a cycled tank. I set up my current tank over a year ago. 20g tank, 25lbs of established (i.e. very well cured) live rock, no other critters for the first month or so. Never saw a measurable Ammonia or Nitrite level. Added CUC about 5 weeks in. Big CUC. Never saw a measurable NH4 or NO2 level.
Was the tank cycled? Yes, but not in the traditional sense. Nor did it need to be.
I could put together a brand new 55 gallon tank. No rocks, no sand, nothing but glass, water and requisite mechanical equipment - heater, brand new filters, etc., (but no bacteria source.) Add a little bitty goby of some sort. Give it 6 months, and the tank will be cycled. Would I recommend that? Absolutely not. The tank will be "cycled" so to speak however, and the goby will suffer no ill effects in the process. Alternatively, add 7-8 medium sized Damsels and that's animal cruelty IMO, because they will suffer ill effects.
What "cycled" means to me, is that the Nitrogen processing bacteria are able to keep up with the nitrogen producing stuff in the tank. That stuff can be alive or dead, doesn't matter. Doesn't even have to be saltwater. One could cycle a tank with a chunk of raw beef, shrimp, rabbit, even cat poo. It doesn't matter. (Well, the cat poo may not be a good idea for other reasons, but it will work to establish the cycle.)
All that matters is that new bioload is added at a slow enough rate to allow Nitrogen processing bacteria to do their jobs.
That applies equally to a new tank or an established tank. Toxic levels of Ammonia ---> Nitrite can easily be generated simply by overfeeding.
Bottom line is, regardless of the age of the tank, the bioload should not (soft vs. hard cycle, which is, perhaps, another discussion) IMO, be allowed to exceed the bacteria's ability to compensate for it.