Sw Cycling Options

[Tommy Gunnz]

So I am deep in my research for my new saltwater tank. I would like to shoot for a FOWLR tank (I have posted elsewhere on my progress so far...) and so I read about how to cycle the tank, which I will begin in a couple of days now.

So this article states that the way to cycle a SW tank is to get two or three damsels and do a fishy cycle. As I understand what I read, the article states that I should put them in the tank about a week after I am sure everything in the tank is working and my water is mixed properly.

I am familiar with freshwater tanks (I have three, two large and one small) and I thought the general consensus was that cycling with fish is unethical. Does this remain the same for saltwater tanks as well?

I have also read that damsels are completely capable of making it through a cycling tank, but this seems unlikely to me, but this may just be my freshwater thinking. To double check, I made a quick call to the closest LFS to me and they stated that they would even allow me to return damsels after I have used them for cycling a tank, which is REALLY odd since they are even more picky about me trying to donate some platties every so often when I have too many fry.

Keep in mind that I am not at this point yet, so dont kill me over this, I just need some guidance on the best way to get my tank ready. It does seem that a cycle using live fish could speed things up, but I am not looking to kill a bunch of fish either.

Thanks for your input!

 

[Mr Miagi]

If your doing a FOWLR, you dont need fish until it has completely cycled. You use live rock.

If you buy any LR which may be un-cured, there will be certain organisms which die off in transport. These will breakdown, this feeds beneficial bacteria, and you'll notice after a week or less, the remaining life on your LR will start to consume waste products and hence your ready to stock.

If you buy fully cured LR, you wont have to cycle at all. Add the required amount of LR in one go, with decent circulation, and if its cured, you shouldnt have any die-off, and the rock should start work immediatly.

Kind-of a beginers guide, and not really a comprehensive step through guide, but you dont have to use fish at all, use your LR. Monitor conditions with a master test kit, and when ammonia and nitrite read 0 you should be ready to go. (Nitrate should ideally be 0, but in a FOWLR, just keep it as low as possible).

 

[Tommy Gunnz]

This is good news in a way but also troubling due to the fact that my only source of cured live rock is going to be quite a ways away from my house. It is probrably about 20 or 30 minutes from my house, however the entire freeway system in Milwaukee is under construction and so the times are more like 45 minutes to an hour.

There is another LFS close to me, but I do not think they would have the amount of LR that I would need all at one time. I am most likely going to have to purchase smaller amounts throughout the first month or so, unless I can somehow keep the live rock living for an hour or more.

Currently the set up I have is most likely more than I need, but I wanted to get it all since i had the money now. I plan to take some pictures really soon when I get my camera back from my brother and then I can show you what I am talking about and get some better questions and answers. Thanks for all the help so far though!

 

[Mr Miagi]

No worries. See as though your lucky enough to live in the states, deffinately have a look around on some online suppliers, you may be able to get live rock delivered to your door. An hour isnt bad at all.

I transported 40KGs that had been on the road ourt of a tank for over 6 hours. It survived, and no re-cycle. Ask your LFS to pack it wet, in bags wrapped in moist newspaper. Alternatively, use large garbage bin bags. Place your LR in the white styrophome boxes your LFS should give you for free. That will keep temps stable.

An hours fine!