I need help with cycling?
- Thread starter a&a2
- Start date
flower
Well-Known Member
The "feeding" the sand really means to help establish it with good bacteria
You may already know this, It doesn't matter if it is a 10g tank or a 300g, you have to have a full cycle before you add any fish, CUC or coral.
Get a mesh bag and put a piece of raw shrimp in it....that will kick start the cycle, once you get a good ammonia reading remove the shrimp ...use your test kits ...wait.... when the ammonia goes to 0 test for the nitrites, then when nitrites go to 0, test for the nitrates....do a nice water change, and retest for a few days to be sure no ammonia or nitrites are present and add that first fish.
There should be enough bacteria built up for fish #1, wait a month for the tank to balance and add fish #2. Using a quarantine tank will buy the time you need between adding fish. Going slow is the key for success in this hobby. Each new addition will add more ammonia, the bacteria has to be able to break down that new ammonia before it can hurt you live stock, so you must give the bacteria time to build up to handle the new addition before you add anything else.
You may already know this, It doesn't matter if it is a 10g tank or a 300g, you have to have a full cycle before you add any fish, CUC or coral.
Get a mesh bag and put a piece of raw shrimp in it....that will kick start the cycle, once you get a good ammonia reading remove the shrimp ...use your test kits ...wait.... when the ammonia goes to 0 test for the nitrites, then when nitrites go to 0, test for the nitrates....do a nice water change, and retest for a few days to be sure no ammonia or nitrites are present and add that first fish.
There should be enough bacteria built up for fish #1, wait a month for the tank to balance and add fish #2. Using a quarantine tank will buy the time you need between adding fish. Going slow is the key for success in this hobby. Each new addition will add more ammonia, the bacteria has to be able to break down that new ammonia before it can hurt you live stock, so you must give the bacteria time to build up to handle the new addition before you add anything else.
geoj
Active Member
The "feeding" the sand really means to help establish it with good bacteria
You may already know this, It doesn't matter if it is a 10g tank or a 300g, you have to have a full cycle before you add any fish, CUC or coral.
Get a mesh bag and put a piece of raw shrimp in it....that will kick start the cycle, once you get a good ammonia reading remove the shrimp ...use your test kits ...wait.... when the ammonia goes to 0 test for the nitrites, then when nitrites go to 0, test for the nitrates....do a nice water change, and retest for a few days to be sure no ammonia or nitrites are present and add that first fish.
There should be enough bacteria built up for fish #1, wait a month for the tank to balance and add fish #2. Using a quarantine tank will buy the time you need between adding fish. Going slow is the key for success in this hobby. Each new addition will add more ammonia, the bacteria has to be able to break down that new ammonia before it can hurt you live stock, so you must give the bacteria time to build up to handle the new addition before you add anything else.
:t^: That is how I do it except I test all three parameters every three days or more and watch them go up and then down.
a&a2
Member
I don't have time to add one fish at a time after my tank cycles. I'm changing over from a 125 to a 300 gallon and have the 125 sold and they want to pick it up in 3 weeks? Now I have in there a blue hippo, foxface, flame angel, yellow tang, sailfin tang, percula clown and strawberry basslett along with some inverts?
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by A&A2 http:///forum/thread/386079/i-need-help-with-cycling#post_3389364
I don't have time to add one fish at a time after my tank cycles. I'm changing over from a 125 to a 300 gallon and have the 125 sold and they want to pick it up in 3 weeks? Now I have in there a blue hippo, foxface, flame angel, yellow tang, sailfin tang, percula clown and strawberry basslett along with some inverts?
Not a problem....your live rock, live sand and the water in your system..... transfer it all to the new tank and add some dry aragonite or live sand. Get the new live rock (you are going to need more but not right away) and put it in tubs to cure. The critters you have along with the present live rock and sand is enough to keep the system up. Just add the new mixed water to fill the new tank. Just don't get any new critters for now.
You will not have to cycle the 300g if you do what I said.
Originally Posted by A&A2 http:///forum/thread/386079/i-need-help-with-cycling#post_3389364
I don't have time to add one fish at a time after my tank cycles. I'm changing over from a 125 to a 300 gallon and have the 125 sold and they want to pick it up in 3 weeks? Now I have in there a blue hippo, foxface, flame angel, yellow tang, sailfin tang, percula clown and strawberry basslett along with some inverts?
Not a problem....your live rock, live sand and the water in your system..... transfer it all to the new tank and add some dry aragonite or live sand. Get the new live rock (you are going to need more but not right away) and put it in tubs to cure. The critters you have along with the present live rock and sand is enough to keep the system up. Just add the new mixed water to fill the new tank. Just don't get any new critters for now.
You will not have to cycle the 300g if you do what I said.
a&a2
Member
Thanks for the help---It has been up and running for a week with cc in the bottom, 80lb live sand in sump. I put about 100# live rock from my current tank in along with some bioballs from my old tank in the sump. I am also using live bacteria. Thinking I should be okay I just worry about adding too soon and overloading it. I love my fish and don't want to see anything happen to them
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by A&A2 http:///forum/thread/386079/i-need-help-with-cycling#post_3389381
Thanks for the help---It has been up and running for a week with cc in the bottom, 80lb live sand in sump. I put about 100# live rock from my current tank in along with some bioballs from my old tank in the sump. I am also using live bacteria. Thinking I should be okay I just worry about adding too soon and overloading it. I love my fish and don't want to see anything happen to them
I'm scratching my head here....if you follow what I said, it is a smooth transition, but if you have everything seperate...you have a new set up tank that must cycle first.
Are you planning on removing the rock and sand from the old tank along with the fish all at one time?
Rock has die off and that causes a spike creating a cycle. That's why I said to have the new rock in a seperate tub to cure....anyway lets move on. Do you have, or have had any ammonia spikes in the new tank? Also the same question in nitrites. Both must be at 0..before you do the following..cycle or not.
DO NOT ADD a chunk of raw shrimp. Just make sure the SG and temps are the same. Remove your rock from the 125g and put it in the 300g ....put your fish in tubs (with some water movement) in the same water from the 125g. Add the sand from the 125g to the 300g and wait for it to clear...acclimate your fish like you were just getting them from the store for the first time, so they can adapt to the new tank, then add them to the new 300g.
If you have had any kind of ammonia or nitrite reading in the 300g...you will have to wait for the cycle to continue with doing what I said above. There is enough good bacteria in you old tank to sustain the fish in the new tank. You just have to be careful to not create a cycle in the 300g by adding new stuff. If you create a cycle you have to wait for it to finish.
I hope this is understandable
Originally Posted by A&A2 http:///forum/thread/386079/i-need-help-with-cycling#post_3389381
Thanks for the help---It has been up and running for a week with cc in the bottom, 80lb live sand in sump. I put about 100# live rock from my current tank in along with some bioballs from my old tank in the sump. I am also using live bacteria. Thinking I should be okay I just worry about adding too soon and overloading it. I love my fish and don't want to see anything happen to them
I'm scratching my head here....if you follow what I said, it is a smooth transition, but if you have everything seperate...you have a new set up tank that must cycle first.
Are you planning on removing the rock and sand from the old tank along with the fish all at one time?
Rock has die off and that causes a spike creating a cycle. That's why I said to have the new rock in a seperate tub to cure....anyway lets move on. Do you have, or have had any ammonia spikes in the new tank? Also the same question in nitrites. Both must be at 0..before you do the following..cycle or not.
DO NOT ADD a chunk of raw shrimp. Just make sure the SG and temps are the same. Remove your rock from the 125g and put it in the 300g ....put your fish in tubs (with some water movement) in the same water from the 125g. Add the sand from the 125g to the 300g and wait for it to clear...acclimate your fish like you were just getting them from the store for the first time, so they can adapt to the new tank, then add them to the new 300g.
If you have had any kind of ammonia or nitrite reading in the 300g...you will have to wait for the cycle to continue with doing what I said above. There is enough good bacteria in you old tank to sustain the fish in the new tank. You just have to be careful to not create a cycle in the 300g by adding new stuff. If you create a cycle you have to wait for it to finish.
I hope this is understandable
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by A&A2 http:///forum/thread/386079/i-need-help-with-cycling#post_3389428
I do not have any new rock that I need to cure. I have not had any spikes and plan on checking it tomorrow. I do not have sand in my 125 but crushed coral and plan on moving all of that to the new tank along of what is left of my live rock that has not been transferred yet
Double check tomorrow, then you are good to go. As soon as you have everything transferred...just move your fish to the new tank. At the most all you are doing is adding more water which is a good thing...like a big water change. You don't have to cycle anything. Do you have your power heads and filtration all running and set up?
Originally Posted by A&A2 http:///forum/thread/386079/i-need-help-with-cycling#post_3389428
I do not have any new rock that I need to cure. I have not had any spikes and plan on checking it tomorrow. I do not have sand in my 125 but crushed coral and plan on moving all of that to the new tank along of what is left of my live rock that has not been transferred yet
Double check tomorrow, then you are good to go. As soon as you have everything transferred...just move your fish to the new tank. At the most all you are doing is adding more water which is a good thing...like a big water change. You don't have to cycle anything. Do you have your power heads and filtration all running and set up?
flower
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by A&A2 http:///forum/thread/386079/i-need-help-with-cycling#post_3394493
Today is moving day for half of my livestock from the 125 to the 300 gallon. Wish me luck that nothing stresses!
Just have a plan of action and go quick when you start. Let us know how it goes and take some PICTURES!
Originally Posted by A&A2 http:///forum/thread/386079/i-need-help-with-cycling#post_3394493
Today is moving day for half of my livestock from the 125 to the 300 gallon. Wish me luck that nothing stresses!
Just have a plan of action and go quick when you start. Let us know how it goes and take some PICTURES!
