Beginning my cycle

Hey everyone

Just a quick question I ducked down to the LFS this morning and had them test my salinity (which was 32) and my ph and he checked something else I missed what it was he was testing. They all came back good except he said the salinity was a bit low, then said for a FOWLR set up is fine. I have placed the LR in my tank. I asked him should I put some food in the tank to kick start the cycle. He said no but I was just wondering what others had done in the past. Im not in a hurry to place fish in the tank (going on a cruise in 3 weeks) so if I have to wait then no biggie just curious.

Thanks

Oz

 

I always cycle a tank with no live animals and add some dry fish food, a pinch every couple days and let it be.

If you have some flow it's all good.

 

Thanks for the advice Corailline

Have put a pinch of dry food in now I will probably do it again in 2 - 3 days time

How often do u test your params?

 

When I first started this hobby I tested almost everyday after day 4, it's good practice because you get to see the ammonia spike and then the decline.

Now I do not test until the I know the cycle is probably almost over about 4-6 weeks. Around that time I test, do a water change of about 10%, put in another pinch of fish food and retest again in 2 days, if no ammonia of nitrites I know I am good to go. Then I add a cuc, wait a week, test again if it's all good add one fish or 2 depending on the size of the tank.

Got to have some patience with this method but I have never been in much of a hurry.

Several different ways to cycle a tank, this is just a method that has worked for me.

 

What's a cuc if you don't mind me asking


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-34.021118,150.797789

 

CUC means clean up crew .. shrimps,snails,crabs and such ..

 

CUC= clean up crew. Snails, crabs, shrimp ect.

 

http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-aquarium-articles-how-tos/common-acronyms-abbreviations-54351.html

Here you go.

 

also move your cursor over an acronym and most will show up!

Try it! CUC, DSB, GSP

 

awesome thanks so much guys ... Glad there is a site like this I dont think I would cope without it LOL