How long to cycle marine tank?

Question

I have a 55 set up and just put in two damsels. How long to cycle?

Answer 1

The time will vary. Are you using live rock or live sand inthe tank? These will cut the time, since they already have the bacteria you're trying to establish. You can also shorten the time a little by raising the temperature, but how high you can go will depend on what's in the tank. If it's just the fish, you can probably go up to 85o or so if you adjust the temperature slowly and have good areation. If you have live rock with nice inverts, you may not want to go over 80o.

In general, the process can take from just a week or two with the live rock or sand to 6-8 weeks without. Whenever the nitrate is the only product detectable (no ammonia or nitrite), you're finished.


NOTE: Because damsels (other than chromis) are aggressive and territorial, it can be a problem to add other fish to the tank after they've been the only fish in it for a month or so - they'll have claimed the entire tank as their territory.

Answer 2

I would recommend getting a test kit and checking your water levels. It should come with a booklet and explain all the info. Its been so long since I have had my tanks that I can't remember exactly. Also, look into the product, "Cycle" it worked good, but double check you can put it in salt water. My ex started the salt tank 3 years ago, and the two damsels are still alive! Also, you can buy water from a reputable fish store in your area and rock as well.

Answer 3

Dont hear to the 1st 2 you prefer nitrates to pass up which skill the cycles working. The cycle is going like this. Fisy->Ammonia->Water based micro organism->Nitrite-> Air respiration micro organism->Nitrate->plant life->danger loose in spite of the shown fact that your cycle will probly end at nitrates. As those pass up you utilize nitrate absorbers or water differences to maintain those ranges low. in case you initiate up with stay sand stay rock youll have a good source of micro organism. i could permit it take a seat for some days and allow the sand settle. Then i could upload the sacrificial damsels so as that theres a relentless grant of fish urine to start up the micro organism up. Do assessments till you notice that the ammonia and nitrite is 0 and nitrates are on the upward thrust. do no longer do a water exchange till the ammonia and nitrite are at 0 till it gets way too out of hand. i could advise including bio spira to the tank once you upload the fish. After some month your tank is in basic terms no longer living house to any mature micro organism colonies and you have some recycles the place nitrite is going up yet you could initiate up including fish and in basic terms video demonstrate heavily. Please digital mail me in case you have any questions.

Answer 4

until ammonia and nitrite read 0