LFS guy here- Easiest way to explain a cycle?

fishkiller

Active Member
Ok, I have stumbled on my words so many times trying to tell some person about what a cycle is and what is does and why it does it? Some of the questions these people ask are just beyond possibility of being answered. When I explain the cycle, most people look at me like I'm mapping the human genome for them, others nod their head like they understand, but you know they don't. What is the easiest way to explain the a cycle to an idiot? I'm not trying to be mean, but I don't really know how to break it down to be that simple... Rye, I know you know what I'm talking about.....
 

reefnut

Active Member
Personally I would find a book or web site that explained things in a simple, easy to understand way... copy it and have them read through it right there in the store.
 
E

elan

Guest
simply put, the cycle is "natures" means of processing waste.
cycling a tank is a method of introducing the proper bacteria in order to have the cycle descibed above.
 

scotts

Active Member
How about if you print out a formal looking document that explains about how to set up a salt water aquarium and explains about cycling. I know that Thomas712 has written some good stuff about cycling. Then when you are talking to them about cycling you could say something like, "Here is a good paper about cycling a salt water aquarium." That way instead of it being you talking to them and it being your opinion it will look official since it is in writing. IMO you should make the document with a header and look as good as possible. Not just make it look like it was typed up real quickly.
Just a thought. This might help Rye as well.
Scott
 

iceburger

Member
Ahhh, now here is somthing i accually have some experience in.
First of all when you tell someone of the cycle tell them about three main chemicals that need to come to an equalibrium in the water...the amonia, nitrates and nitrites...then tell them about the bacteria that must be present in the water for this cycle to start...explain how as the bacteria grows in numbers in the water they will begin to feed upon the chemicals in the water thus lowering them, and as one of the chemicals in the water is depleated another rises and so on and so on until there is enough bacteria to keep all these chems at safe levels for fish and inverts...
thats how i did it and most people unterstood when i explained it...but as its been said before, there are just some really stupid people out there :D good luck
 

iceburger

Member
Ahhh, now here is somthing i accually have some experience in.
First of all when you tell someone of the cycle tell them about three main chemicals that need to come to an equalibrium in the water...the amonia, nitrates and nitrites...then tell them about the bacteria that must be present in the water for this cycle to start...explain how as the bacteria grows in numbers in the water they will begin to feed upon the chemicals in the water thus lowering them, and as one of the chemicals in the water is depleated another rises and so on and so on until there is enough bacteria to keep all these chems at safe levels for fish and inverts...
thats how i did it and most people unterstood when i explained it...but as its been said before, there are just some really stupid people out there :D good luck
 

iceburger

Member
Ahhh, now here is somthing i accually have some experience in.
First of all when you tell someone of the cycle tell them about three main chemicals that need to come to an equalibrium in the water...the amonia, nitrates and nitrites...then tell them about the bacteria that must be present in the water for this cycle to start...explain how as the bacteria grows in numbers in the water they will begin to feed upon the chemicals in the water thus lowering them, and as one of the chemicals in the water is depleated another rises and so on and so on until there is enough bacteria to keep all these chems at safe levels for fish and inverts...
thats how i did it and most people unterstood when i explained it...but as its been said before, there are just some really stupid people out there :D good luck
 

iceburger

Member
Ahhh, now here is somthing i accually have some experience in.
First of all when you tell someone of the cycle tell them about three main chemicals that need to come to an equalibrium in the water...the amonia, nitrates and nitrites...then tell them about the bacteria that must be present in the water for this cycle to start...explain how as the bacteria grows in numbers in the water they will begin to feed upon the chemicals in the water thus lowering them, and as one of the chemicals in the water is depleated another rises and so on and so on until there is enough bacteria to keep all these chems at safe levels for fish and inverts...
thats how i did it and most people unterstood when i explained it...but as its been said before, there are just some really stupid people out there :D good luck
 

javatech

Member
CYCLE THE TANK WITH LIVE ROCK ONLY
Step 1. Purchase all (or if your budget is low at the time, get at least 1/2) of the live rock you will use, and proceed to step 2. When ready, get the second 1/2 of the rock.
Step 2. When all the live rock is in the tank, test for ammonia and nitrite. You need to get a zero reading, which could take 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the amount of die-off on the rock. Do not proceed to step 3 until steps 1 and 2 are complete.
Step 3. Begin to add inverts (clams, shrimp, starfish, crabs, snails). Add a few at a time, checking ammonia and nitrite. After all inverts are added, and the test results for ammonia and nitrite are zero, proceed to add your corals, a few at a time. Continue to test for ammonia and nitrite until all your corals are added. When the readings are at zero (this will usually take about 2 weeks, possibly longer), proceed to add the fish in the same manner as above, until all the fish have been added.
Cycling the tank with live rock is the simplest, most trouble-free way to start a reef tank.
Step 4. When the test results read zero, and you begin to test and record nitrate, your tank is completely cycled. When you cycle this way, the live rock does most of the conditioning. This is the way to start your system. It is definitely the safest procedure, because it is hard to know how much die-off the live rock has on it. This way you won’t endanger the valuable, delicate specimens you will add later. Remember, only bad things happen fast. You will need to exercise patience, resisting the impulse to do things in reverse. Remember: live rock first, inverts second, corals third, and fish last. You are now up and running. This will take about 2 to 6 weeks, possibly longer.
Once all the rock is in the tank, the cycling of the water will begin. In approximately three days, there should be a measurable amount of ammonia. Test and record the ammonia at this time. Continue to test and record it at three to four-day intervals. The reading will rise and rise, until one day it will drop off and be zero. At that time, begin to test for nitrite.
The nitrite cycle is very similar to the ammonia cycle, so use the same procedure as described for ammonia. Do not become alarmed with the test results! This is the cycling process, and the tank will balance out! As long as you do not have any fish, inverts or coral in the tank, you have nothing to worry about. Be patient, let nature take its course, and the tank will cycle.
When the nitrite test reads zero, you should begin to test for nitrate. You will get only very faint nitrate readings, because the tank is now balanced and has virtually no bio-load (waste products from fish, invertebrates, etc.).
When the bacteria “catch up” (multiply to process the waste in the tank), you will get zero readings of ammonia and nitrite The tank has now had its first and largest cycle. When you add more livestock, this will increase the waste load, and the bacteria will have to multiply and catch up with the increased load. You will get mini-cycles of ammonia and nitrite when you add livestock. These small cycles will be insignificant as long as you don’t add too many creatures at once. Begin by adding inverts, two to three at a time, until they are all in. Do the same with the corals (possibly slower because of the cost). Test for ammonia and nitrite a few days after each addition. If the test results are zero, proceed to add creatures as described until all inverts and corals are added. Give them a week or so to acclimate. Test for ammonia and nitrite. When they register zero, and the inverts and corals appear to be well adjusted, you are ready to add fish in the same manner as described.
 

xdave

Active Member
It's like a septic tank. Bacteria breaks down the waste into non-poisonous elements. You have to build up enough bacteria to handle the waste from the fish that will be going in.
IMO, I wouldn't tell people to cycle with LR only, you'll be severly restricting their tank type options. Not everybody wants to manage a reef tank.
 

viper_930

Active Member
Originally Posted by xDave
IMO, I wouldn't tell people to cycle with LR only, you'll be severly restricting their tank type options. Not everybody wants to manage a reef tank.
I don't quite understand what you mean by this. Care do explain?
By the way, this thread is a tad over 3 years old. :scared:
 

tx reef

Active Member
:notsure:
Even if you have a fish only system, you still need the live rock for fish to graze on or hide in.
 
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