Cycling

[hnf2k]

i have a 180 gallon tank. with a dsb and 200 lbs of live rock.
thursday i plan on getting a few damsels to start my cycle. i haven't tested my water at all yet(other than salinity). there is no way my cycle has started yet right? and also once i get the damsels, i should test my water daily or every other day for the spike?

 

[guppie]

It could have started the cycle did you use uncured lr, but even if it did start to cycle there is no problem putting the damsels in. I would test every couple of days, just remember it will take about a month for everything to settle down and be ready for more fish. Good Luck

 

[stacyt]

You can cycle the tank without fish. You can use store bought shrimp. Just throw a couple of raw shrimp in and leave for a couple of days or so. You will see an ammonia spike within a couple of days. IMO this is the better way to get the cycle going.

 

[killyah]

imo adding all that live rock should be enuff to start cycling ur tank! i have cycled tanks just with live rock a number of times. you dont even need them damsels ,first even tho there hardy they might not live when the spikes starts second (if u dont want them anymore) there ganna be pretty hard to catch when ur finish the cycle with all that live rock in there. i would check the water weekly for ammonia, then when it drops, then check nitrite weekly .when that drops check and see whats nitrate at should be .5-10 sometimes even 0 , as long as ur ammonia and nitrite are 0 after the spikes then ur tank is cycled.. HTH