What is a cycle?

I am new to saltwater tanks and someone asked me if my water had cycled yet. What does this mean? And what are some do's and don'ts for my first aquarium?

 

This answer won't be perfect, but for the most what people mean by cycling is when you start a aquarium from the beginning and usually before adding live stock. People will add something to start the process whether it be some pieces of fish food or some raw shrimp. This will cause an ammonia build up which is toxic to fish. Naturally your tank will then produce nitrites to detoxify the ammonia build up, which is also toxic to fish. The next phase your tank will go through is producing nitrates to combat the nitrites and break them down. Nitrates are not toxic to fish, but algae loves them. You know your tank is cycled when your ammonia and nitrite levels are at 0 ppm. Ideally you want to keep your nitrates levels really low also. I hope this helps you understand what the "cycle" is. I'm sure someone with a little more experience than me will chime in.

 

well, some of that can be easily searched on the google search button.. But here is some insight.

In simple terms, the "cycle" is when your tank has enough bacteria that converts the toxic ammonia that comes from fish poop into nitrate.. then another specialized bacteria changes that into less harmful nitrate. ( could have switched the nitrate,nitrites around)...

this allows you to have fish without poisoning them with their own waste.

Its best to cycle without a fish. Simply add a piece of shrimp and let it decay in the tank for about a month.. Regularly check your parameters.
Once you reach 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and 0 nitrates then you have completed the cycle and you are ready for your first fish.

never add too many fish at once. Go slow, let it grow.

READ, READ, READ, READ, READ, READ, READ, READ, READ.... AND READ.

 

welcome to 3reef go to articles matt has put some great ones at the top on how to get started by the way it is addictive.

 

The cycle is the Nitrogen Cycle that occurs in nature everyday. Its important to aquarist becuase it helps ready our tanks for livestock. essentially its this You need ammonia in the tank ( Raw shrimp ) that then gets broken down into nitrites and then into nitrates. Nitrates are okay for a tank as long as they are minimal (10ppm). you need to test for those 3 things until they rise and drop.

Some do's: READ!!!! do research and ask a boat load of ?'s
Dont's: Use tap water!

Theres more but those are the 2 major ones i think. You should have gotten a write up when you signed up on 3reef if not heres a link. Its lengthy but boy oh boy will you learn you summin.
http://www.3reef.com/forums/new-hobby/whats-important-successful-tank-108699.html

 

1+ TO that link. very informative.;D and i forgot to welcome you to 3reef.8)

 

Nitrogen Cycle

Illustrated Nitrogen Cycle

 

All great advice welcome to 3reef

 

Wow ^.^

Thanks everyone for the quick replies. I appeciate the help and the links. I will take the advice and read up on it. I had my water tested a few weeks back after having a high reading of nitrites and ammonia. I was told I all I needed was carbon as I was lacking carbon in my filter (thanks to my cousin thinking he was a funny guy) and after a week of adding a bag of carbon into my filter I was given the go ahead to add fish to my tank. So far about three weeks and a couple days now I have 3 hermits, a starfish, a peppermint shrimp, an emerald crab, a fiddler crab, and a couple snails and they are doing great... (now that I am listing what i have it seems like alot but i barely see them ) Are there any good brands of tests I can buy, i mean as far as accuracy goes?

 

Just remember that you want to add livestock slowly so you wont start another cycle. Patients is a really big part of making this hobby successful.