How long does it take for tank to cycle?

[jim27]

I just got my first SW tank last weekend and I was wondering how long for it to cycle.

 

[goober]

it depends some say 4-6 weeks. My tank took 3 months to cycle. By using raw shrimp or damsals even clowns would work (thats what i used) that should help the cycle along. Good luck on your new tank. And you should thing about using some Live sand and/or Live rock.

 

[jimi]

Depends whats in it. 0 to 60 days.

 

[jim27]

What does it mean when your tank has cycled?

 

[risc]

JIM27: The ammonia cycle has to complete. Ammonia has to change to nitrite and then to nitrate. However in the end, ideally, you want all the levels of each chemical to be 0. Lots of different factors can determine how long it will take to cycle. How big the tank is, if you assist it with TLC or Cycle additives, things like that. It is best to start the process out with hardy fish like damsels and then return them after the cycle process has concluded. Unless of course you wish to keep them. At the point that its cycle has completed you can now start adding your fish, however one at a time and slowly. One maybe every two weeks and keeping an eye on the levels as you add each fish. This is best practice to do for at least the first year of having your tank setup. You should test all your chemicals at least once a month.
Jim
Jim

 

[ocellaris_keeper]

The cycle process is when your bacterial filter (the little organisms that consume waste and extra food) becomes "established or cycled". It's called a cycle because you usually put a catalyst (fish/shrimp/live rock/live sand) that starts the cycle "ammonia - nitrate - nitrite until enough bacteria is in the tank to create equilibrium.
Kinda Cool Eh!!
Brewski