Best/most effective way to cycle?

My RSM 130D arrives tomorrow...what is the most effective way to cycle it? It's been 10 years for me and I am happy to getting back in to the hobby. Back then I cycled my tank with a few fish. Seems that is not the preferred method now? Need some advice on what to do this weekend.

 

Single damsel for at least 8-12 weeks

 

I'm jealous. But yes, you can go the damsel route OR just feed your tank with some food/ put some chopped up shrimp in there (the ones from the supermarket).

 

chop up a shrimp, drop it in and let it go to work.

 

buy dirty(uncured) live rock and cure it in the tank.

 

I put about 2" of LS in the tank, then fill up with water. Get at least the same amount of LR in the tank as the water volume and let it run. Get the skimmer running in the system, leave the lights off and get the water up to 80-85ºF. I personally dump about 1/2 cup of pure ammonia in the water to start the ammonia cycle, that way I'm not letting food deteriorate in the water, but that's just my preference. I also add a little bit of Cycle into the tank to seed the nitrifying bacteria and let that run a month for the ammonia cycle settle down. Once the Nitrates lower into the 30-40ppm range, I put in one fish, usually a damsel, and let it go from there. They will cause another ammonia spike and will show some ammonia burn/fin-rot but it will be ok, then once that NO3 cycle drops back to 0, I add another fish. I repeat that whenever I add a fish and haven't had any die on me. *knock on wood*
The great thing about this hobby is that there are so many ways to do it. What works for me may not work for someone else, and vice versa.

 

I see all of these options work
Its basically a prefrence
If your going to add Lr
NOW is the time
Get some uncured Lr and a damsel
Thats my way of cycling

 

Damsel or even a Clown, myself and a friend both cycled with false percs, they are very hardy also.

 

IMO I like to stay away from Damsels.. I know everyone in this trade recomends them but they are nasty nasty fish that get very territorial. And being that they are first in the tank they will get just that. I prefer to use Green Chromis. They are only a couple dollars more and are much more peaceful.

 

I am with the LR and single damsel. The LR will do the job no problem...there will be enough die off to cycle it out. But the damsel is there to remind you of what it will become IMO.

Keep the skimmer off and just the actinics on. Test a few times a week and go with the flow......