How do you cycle a tank?

Discussion in 'General Reef Topics' started by cdub4292, Oct 15, 2008.

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  1. cdub4292

    cdub4292 Astrea Snail

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    Since I am new to this hobby any adive or information on what cycling is for and how you do it would be great ;D

    THANKS
     
    cdub4292, Oct 15, 2008
    cdub4292, Oct 15, 2008
    #1

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  2. sostoudt

    sostoudt Giant Squid

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    put some food in it that will break down into ammonia and start the cycle
    if you don't have food you can pee in it, the funny thing is im serious
    or when ever you get your live rock just pop it in the tank and stuff will being dying on the live rock from transport and create ammonia


    then you wait
     
    sostoudt, Oct 15, 2008
    sostoudt, Oct 15, 2008
    #2
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  3. cdub4292

    cdub4292 Astrea Snail

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    how long?
     
    cdub4292, Oct 15, 2008
    cdub4292, Oct 15, 2008
    #3
  4. sostoudt

    sostoudt Giant Squid

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    you buy a bunch of test kits, and you keep testing tell everythings in the appropiate range

    usually you should expect to wait atleast a couple weeks
     
    sostoudt, Oct 15, 2008
    sostoudt, Oct 15, 2008
    #4
    1 person likes this.
  5. PharmrJohn

    PharmrJohn The Dude

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    It can take up to 12 weeks.
     
    PharmrJohn, Oct 15, 2008
    PharmrJohn, Oct 15, 2008
    #5
  6. cdub4292

    cdub4292 Astrea Snail

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    thanks for the advise and help!!!
    what do you do after you cycle?
    and what kind of test kits do you recommend getting?
     
    cdub4292, Oct 15, 2008
    cdub4292, Oct 15, 2008
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  7. railroader46

    railroader46 Skunk Shrimp

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    One yellow tail damsel will do the trick, as for test kits the Saliferts are good ones to use.
     
    railroader46, Oct 15, 2008
    railroader46, Oct 15, 2008
    #7
  8. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Serious or not, don't pee in your tank;). This sounds like a thread for phjohn to tear into.
    Google or search here for nitrogen cycle in an aquarium. Open a beer(if you like beer), light up a smoke(if you smoke) and read............. Now's the perfect time to start learning one of the most important parts of the process.
     
    missionsix, Oct 15, 2008
    missionsix, Oct 15, 2008
    #8
  9. cdub4292

    cdub4292 Astrea Snail

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    what about for a seahorse tank should i put the clean up crew in the tank first and than the seahorses or what? and if the clean up crew does go in the tank first how long do you wait to put the seahorses in?
     
    cdub4292, Oct 15, 2008
    cdub4292, Oct 15, 2008
    #9
  10. sessionthree

    sessionthree Spaghetti Worm

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    What's the difference, the fish pee in it. I swear I'm going to cycle my next tank with a bit of my own pee just as an experiment.
     
    sessionthree, Oct 15, 2008
    sessionthree, Oct 15, 2008
    #10
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