Please dont flame me

[gotcrabs?]

Having to cycle is really just letting your tank stabalize. I avoided a cycle all together by using fully cured rocks and live sand. No real need to cycle had two clowns and some zoo's from the second day and all was well. Just keep some di water on hand for a change if your params start to go haywire.

 

[bgrae001]

Originally Posted by SteveChouinard
Ok so when I switch the tank what should I do with my fish... Will taking water only from my tank and putting it into a 15 gallon spare tank provide a decent home for a clown and a coral beauty??? or will that cycle too???
I would take the water out of your DT to put in your 15 gal with no sand in it, just glass. that way there is no cycle. I would wait a few days before putting them into your new tank just in case you stir up any ich and if you have a slight spike in ammonia. I would do a significant water change a few days later in the new tank. After your new tank tests good put in the fish. It should only take a few days IMO.

 

[ophiura]

water has very little bacteria in it. IMO, just moving water would not prevent a cycle. The only thing would be to move an established biological filter - be it an actual filter, live rock, oer similar.

 

[mudplayerx]

What I've found that works best for helping a tank cylce is biofiber. Put some of this stuff in a high flow area like an overflow or in a sump and leave it there for a couple of months. When your new tank is set up, take this biofiber, fold it in half and rigorously run it on itself.
You will be shedding pure bacteria all over your new tank. It looks nasty but it is good stuff. Of course this method only works if you have a couple months notice that you will be cycling a new tank.

 

[cam78]

OK, am I an idiot for doing a 10% WC every week? Its a 46 with two fishes right now. Has plenty of coral. I would love to save money on salt.

 

[grubsnaek]

Cam78 not to kill this guys thread, no your not. a weekly water change with corals in a tank is highly recommended. very healthy tanks usually get weekly water changes. your not wasting money.

 

[geoj]

Originally Posted by gotcrabs?
Having to cycle is really just letting your tank stabalize. I avoided a cycle all together by using fully cured rocks and live sand. No real need to cycle had two clowns and some zoo's from the second day and all was well. Just keep some di water on hand for a change if your params start to go haywire.
The reason the nitrate went up is the bio filter was too small. The tank was not cycled.

 

[skipperdz]

get a fuge...eliminates your hair algae problem in a month

 

[gotcrabs?]

Originally Posted by GeoJ
The reason the nitrate went up is the bio filter was too small. The tank was not cycled.

no trate prob at all