Brand new to the hobby, did research and decided to try fishless cycling for a new saltwater reef tank.
I purchased a Red Sea Max 250, i have started my cycle 2 weeks ago(using dry sand and dry rock and ammonia only, did some further reading and found that some guys also use fishfood to create some sort of phosphate level, but i held off), had almost lost my patience when finally last night got the first traces of nitrites.
Anyone with much experience on this type of cycling? how long will the cycle last before nitrites back to zero? should i expect an algae bloom after which i can introduce a cleanup crew when the cycle is complete?( right now it looks like a sterile lunar surface)
and i've been wondering about the sand - will it eventualy turn into live sand or does one have to add some type of activator?
Any advise will be much appreciated
I purchased a Red Sea Max 250, i have started my cycle 2 weeks ago(using dry sand and dry rock and ammonia only, did some further reading and found that some guys also use fishfood to create some sort of phosphate level, but i held off), had almost lost my patience when finally last night got the first traces of nitrites.
Anyone with much experience on this type of cycling? how long will the cycle last before nitrites back to zero? should i expect an algae bloom after which i can introduce a cleanup crew when the cycle is complete?( right now it looks like a sterile lunar surface)
and i've been wondering about the sand - will it eventualy turn into live sand or does one have to add some type of activator?
Any advise will be much appreciated