Cycling help

[abepantierer]

How long do I need to cycle my tank before adding fish if I am using live sand and live rock?

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[orangelover77]

Until the water levels are normal for a week or so.. Usually around 4-5 weeks.

 

[TheTodd]

If you are using live rock and live sand, it should not take over a month. If you can find pure Ammonia (I've been told Ace Hardware sells it) then dose your tank to 3-4ppm and it should go down to zero in about 24 hours if it is cycled. You want zero nitrites and ammonia and elevated nitrates (that come from the BB converting trites and amm).

 

[Macscale]

Your tank won't cycle without an ammonia source. Pure ammonia, or a cocktail shrimp work best. Live rock and sand will only get the ammonia to maybe 1ppm, you need 4-5ppm.

 

[jeh1487]

Till your water level go normal don't try and speed this up it will have long term benefits

 

[jonnyred]

We left our tank 8 weeks before we stocked more fish, started with fish only tank and a couple of clown fish.
It's doing really well...