How many fish needed to start cycle?

[scubanut]

I just bought a 12G Eclipse system and I was wondering if anybody has any suggetions on how many Damels I should use to start cycling my tank?

 

[bang guy]

I recommend against adding any fish before the cycle has completed.
Uncured live rock will work best.
A handful of live sand and flake fish food will also work.
IMO there's no reason to stress a fish when it's really the bacterial colony that you are trying to grow.
my $0.02
Guy

 

[goalie66]

I totally agree with Bang Guy.

 

[surfnturf]

I agree with Bang Guy as well, but for a different reason. Tanks are usually (in the past anyway) cycled with damsels. These are mean, agressive little fish and pretty hard to catch, trust me, use a dead shrimp.

 

[col]

I used household ammonia, for my main tank and my Quarantine tank.
Less than half a teaspoon will do for 12 G

 

[surfnturf]

Ammonia is a good alternative, like col said. Just make sure you don't use the "sudsing" type

 

[cells]

can also get some LS or some water from an established tank from the LFS. However, 12G tank is real hard to stablize thw water. right?

 

[mr . salty]

Water froman established tank will not help at all.You would be better off using one of the other ideas above.Or if you must,,one or two CHROMIS.They are just as hardy as a damsel,but far less aggressive...

 

[cells]

hmm... one guy from the LFS tried to give me some water from their establish tank to start the cycle. I told him, let me get a piece of LR.