Kick start a new cycle?

[Keith P]

It's been a few years since I started a new tank.

Most of my rock was dry dead rock. I got a few pounds of cured rock (bacteria only, no inverts) and a few pounds of cured rock from a mature reef tank.

We are five days into the cycle. The skimmer has actually pulled up a dark brown film. I change the filter sock ever other day.

Ammonia = 0.25 mg/L
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 7 mg/L

Should I add something to up the ammonia and push the cycle a little harder? I have read of people using fish food or table shrimp (cooked or raw). Are these a good ideas or does rule #1 come in play "Nothing good happens fast in a reef tank"?

 

[NYreefNoob]

microbe lift special blend and nite out 2, used both of these products and was very happy, or a piece of raw shrimp, but i liked the microbe lift products

 

[duke62]

+1 on special blend

 

[KathyC]

People add these things to increase the amount of bacteria in the tank, and while they do shave a small amount of time off a cycle - maybe a week - it is truly best to wait it out and allow it to naturally proceed.

One thing to remember though during a cycle is you DO have to feed the bacteria you are growing. Very small amounts of fish food will do this nicely, added every few days.

 

[Wes]

i dosed the brightwell Microbacter7 daily for 2 weeks as per instructions to establish the bacteria.

I still waited a full month before adding my first fish.

 

[NYreefNoob]

not saying to add fish ect any sooner, but the microbe lift does add a bacteria to help the cycle and add's benifical bacteria. skimmer wont produce as much because the bacteria will eat up nitrates,

 

[jaa1456]

I wouldn't use the skimmer until the cycle is finished. It is eating up food and nutrients the bacteria could use.

 

[2slo4me]

I have used DR. Tims nitrifying bacteria several times and have had nothing but LUCK!!! or maybe it really does work....

 

[The_Codfather]

It's been a few years since I started a new tank.

Most of my rock was dry dead rock. I got a few pounds of cured rock (bacteria only, no inverts) and a few pounds of cured rock from a mature reef tank.

We are five days into the cycle. The skimmer has actually pulled up a dark brown film. I change the filter sock ever other day.

Ammonia = 0.25 mg/L
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 7 mg/L

Should I add something to up the ammonia and push the cycle a little harder? I have read of people using fish food or table shrimp (cooked or raw). Are these a good ideas or does rule #1 come in play "Nothing good happens fast in a reef tank"?

Beleve it or not just add reg household ammonia..

 

[Alex]

i dosed the brightwell Microbacter7 daily for 2 weeks as per instructions to establish the bacteria.

I still waited a full month before adding my first fish.

I also used the MB 7 as per instructions. then 6 weeks later added 4 fish. I still use the MB 7 every other day. Problem free, and everything is doing fine.

BTW I had the rock cooking for approx. three months with bacteria ( MB7 ).

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Ummmm you still reading this OP?

By the time you are done your tank should have cycled Naturally :lol2:

 

[Alex]

He's either a slow read or a fast cycle.......:lol_large

 

[Keith P]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica][SIZE=-1][FONT=Arial, Helvetica][SIZE=-1]Microbe-Lift Special Blend is on order.
I'm in no rush. It only took me 1-1/2 years to set the tank up..
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