Tank cycling

[Mordrath]

Started my foray into saltwater aquariums last weekend and the question i have is if i can start the cycle process with just the live sand and live rock i have or do i need to get some damsels or something else better to begin.

 

[RamJet]

You can add something like boi spira to your tank to cycle it. No need to kill a damsel. But like I have said before, many times the damsel servives and now your really @$&* out of luck. Now what do you do with it, that is if you can catch the thing?

 

[Mordrath]

thanks for the tip but why would you take the damsel out when done cycling?

 

[The Reefer]

You can also toss a shrimp from the grocery store into the tank while it's cycling

 

[sammydee]

I think damsels can be vicious and aggressive to other fish.

 

[amstar15]

try green chromis fish instead

 

[The Reefer]

I wouldn't use any fish for the cycling of the tank

 

[andrew catling]

The live rock and sand will cycle the tank alone.
Putting in fish to help cycle tanks is cruel and un-necessary.
If you purchased good quality cured rock you could add your first fish within a week.
Just be patient and check your water daily.
Good luck

 

[Navarre]

With enough good quality live rock your tank will not cycle. Fish can be added the very next day quite safely.

Dont use a fish to cycle as its cruel. why put the fish through the oreal of ammonia burning its gills and stressing it to the point of death when a simply prawn from the fridge will do exactly th esame job?

And dansels are real pains, they are very territorial and will not tollerate other fish in with them once they get settled, (as aquascaper about remvoing damsels! he is going through the ordeal of hte century at the moment)