Help me cycle my 55 gallon tank

I'm setting up a 55gallon tank and i have about 25 pounds of live rock in it in order to cycle the tank, I also read that you could use cheaper fish like chromis(es) or damsels in order to cycle the tank as well but they could all die

I heard that the live rock will do the same job but it will take more time

Witch method do you suggest?

 

please don't use live fish.All you need is something to rot and put off ammonia to get the bacteral cycle started.A piece of raw table shrimp or some frozen fish food will get your cycle started

 

I recommend using very inexpensive damsels..most LFS have a $1 or 2 buy back program..i do not ever suggest leaving them in a tank that u want to put nicer fish in later..they WILL nip at ur fish..so plan to fish them out..if u dont fish them out..i used a single ocellaris clownfish that i still have 3 yrs later..or a red firefish..both about $15 and are great to keep longterm..they are both VERY hardy..just as hardy as mean ol damsel..dont listen to some ppl on here ive seen recommending leaving a table shrimp in ur tank to cycle it..just retarded..i have 15 years experience and never had to do more than liverock and a strong fish..good luch

 

Welcome to 3reef..

+1 big time.

Use table shrimp not live animals. Ammonia = burned gills even if not deadly.
No reason to rush into anything, cycle the tank and then slowly add live stock.

 

Okay i'll use the live rock and table shrimp.

 

I'd say cycle with something live and cheap,after all your going to have live fish in your tank once cycled righ so that means you need to test it with something alive if you see problems occurring you can easily dose to lover what parameters are high...just my opinion.

 

Why does it's matter the price?

Still a live animal. Why cycle with live, shrimp or just nothing cycle just fine.

Why contribute to taking one more damsel from a reef to cycle a tank?


Pet Peeve of mine, sorry....

 

big +1

 

I think the price is because if it's a casualty it's better to lose a buck than per say 30 dollars ya know

I remember when I was cycling my first sw tank I cycled it 2 weeks with only water and rock then the rest of the cycle was with a few small fish,cycling really depends on the person I think in the long run because people don't always choose the best way usually the easiest and cheapest way right.

I think it's the wholesalers and divers who take away from the reef not so much the people who buy at the lfs because IMO the fish at the lfs have a better chance on survival somewhere else...just my thoughts

 

You have to have demand though.

Just like sand sifting stars, sea baskets, wild mandarin.... it goes on and on.

My line in the sand is not cycling with live animals or buying something I know I can not keep alive long term.

Just me, but that is what makes this hobby wonderful, everyone has their own recipe.