How long did it take for your tank to Cycle?
- Thread starter Heyyou
- Start date
My QT is brand new and has been cycling for almost three weeks. It has only pvc (hiding places) and bioballs/sponges for filtration. The ammonia and nitrites are currently very high so it will probably take another week or two to complete.
I could not use live rock or sand since this tank will be medicated so cycling it is a slooooow process for sure.
If there are no livestock in yours, you can turn up the temp to 82 to speed up the cycle.
I could not use live rock or sand since this tank will be medicated so cycling it is a slooooow process for sure.
If there are no livestock in yours, you can turn up the temp to 82 to speed up the cycle.
Hello and Welcome to RS! You've come to a GREAT place to hang out and learn.
I have two tanks:
#1 (10 gallon ) "cycled" fairly slowly because it was cycled with LIVE Fish and a very small amount of LR and LS. I don't have the test results in front of me here at work but I would think it was about 4- 6 weeks total. That is NOT the way to "cycle" a tank.
#2 (12 gallon Nano Cube) "cycled" very quickly because a) No live critters during the cycling, b) fully stocked and cured LR and LS was used c) I added a pair of "deli" shrimp in a stocking to "feed" the cycle. If I remember correctly it cycled extremely quick in fact there were some debates initially on IF it had cycled or not because I barely got any ammonia or nitrite spikes after the first few days. It just sort of spiked initially and then leveled out and over the course of the next 3 -4 weeks additional deli shrimp only caused a small spike at all indicating that a sufficient and healthy biological filtration system was indeed present and working.
What I suggest is that you test your water parameters each day and chart them. Take this time to get to "Know" your tank and how the Nitrigen Cycle works. Do this even AFTER your initial cycle as you'll get "mini-cycles" each time you add a new fish or lose one. It's good to have a solid understanding of how everything sort of works together in this system so you can better predict and prepare for future "issues".
Good luck and HAPPY REEFING
Allen
I have two tanks:
#1 (10 gallon ) "cycled" fairly slowly because it was cycled with LIVE Fish and a very small amount of LR and LS. I don't have the test results in front of me here at work but I would think it was about 4- 6 weeks total. That is NOT the way to "cycle" a tank.
#2 (12 gallon Nano Cube) "cycled" very quickly because a) No live critters during the cycling, b) fully stocked and cured LR and LS was used c) I added a pair of "deli" shrimp in a stocking to "feed" the cycle. If I remember correctly it cycled extremely quick in fact there were some debates initially on IF it had cycled or not because I barely got any ammonia or nitrite spikes after the first few days. It just sort of spiked initially and then leveled out and over the course of the next 3 -4 weeks additional deli shrimp only caused a small spike at all indicating that a sufficient and healthy biological filtration system was indeed present and working.
What I suggest is that you test your water parameters each day and chart them. Take this time to get to "Know" your tank and how the Nitrigen Cycle works. Do this even AFTER your initial cycle as you'll get "mini-cycles" each time you add a new fish or lose one. It's good to have a solid understanding of how everything sort of works together in this system so you can better predict and prepare for future "issues".
Good luck and HAPPY REEFING
Allen
My current tank never had a cycle. I added 208lbs of live fiji to some serious ro/di water from a water plant and kent marine salt. The rock never made it to the lfs because i grabbed it at the door as it was coming in. I really think the reason i never went through a cycle is because of these two reasons: #1 perfect ro/di water and #2 the rock had no chance for die off and i did a salinity bath before adding the rock.
GeeWizzItsMe
Well-Known Member
2 weeks with cured live rock and damsels (bad boy)!
Melanie
Well-Known Member
Deli shrimp is coctail shrimp just like you eat at parties. It adds an ammonia source that jump starts your cycle.
The better your water, the more LR and LS you have, the shorter the cycle IMHO.
I agree with BigAl that you should test your water daily (preferably at the same time of day) and keep a written log of your results. You can even start a tank chronicle on RS to store you tests.
I suggest not using live fish for the cycle. It's unneccarily cruel and no better than using a deli shrimp.
I'm guessing you are asking because you are in a cycle right now waiting for your tank to finish. You could use this time to thoroughly research your stocking list, save money for future equipment, get in the habit of testing your water (and perfecting your technique,) and practice that wonderful trait that all reefers need....patience.
It's not uncommon for a tank to take up to two months to cycle. I've read, and agree, that you should not do water changes or run a UV filter during the cycle. These normally beneficial things can actually slow down the initial cycle.
The better your water, the more LR and LS you have, the shorter the cycle IMHO.
I agree with BigAl that you should test your water daily (preferably at the same time of day) and keep a written log of your results. You can even start a tank chronicle on RS to store you tests.
I suggest not using live fish for the cycle. It's unneccarily cruel and no better than using a deli shrimp.
I'm guessing you are asking because you are in a cycle right now waiting for your tank to finish. You could use this time to thoroughly research your stocking list, save money for future equipment, get in the habit of testing your water (and perfecting your technique,) and practice that wonderful trait that all reefers need....patience.
It's not uncommon for a tank to take up to two months to cycle. I've read, and agree, that you should not do water changes or run a UV filter during the cycle. These normally beneficial things can actually slow down the initial cycle.
GeeWizzItsMe
Well-Known Member
Wow!
PEMfish
Well-Known Member
My 10g Cycled very quickly, in 2 weeks. I was waiting for a spike for 2 weeks after it leveled out at zero but it never came, even after I added a damsel. I had no LS and only 5lb of LR that I didn't get till I got the damsel. I was very skeptical of it being cycled because I didn't feed it at all. Never had a problem.
Wish I knew how...
Wish I knew how...
Aquadelight
Member
Three separate cycles. Used good live rock from store with cocktail shrimp for 4 weeks in my 125 gallon. Once everything stable, I added 6 small green cromis. When everything stable again (another 3 weeks), added cuc. Stablized a third time (3 or 4 days). Now, as I add bioload, parameters don't change as long as I am very patient and careful.
Fish Crazy
Member
I just started up a 29g tank 2 weeks ago and it has already cycled
