Newbie question - cycling SW tank

[Jj49er]

Oh did wanna ask something since my sump has a filter sock in it should I worry bout changing it during the cycle or shouldn't be a problem till after cycle is done or after fish? N do u guys recomend using filter socks or is it better to go without it I read mix reviews on using them?

 

[Convict2161]

Well thank u convict.... I did take ur advice and added the two raw shrimp yesterday in the mesh bag... So I'm hoping my cycle starts soon... So this time I will be goin the shrimp smelly way lol, like I said I really appreciate ur advice as I'm newbie to salt water n I'm sure I will have many more questions reason I joined the forum to get the much needed advice once again thanks

Your very welcome. With 2 shrimp you'll see ammonia in no time.

 

[Elude82]

Add some smart start. I have 4 tanks, and never had one crash. It will throw your parameters off a little, but it gets the bacteria you need going. But one thing, I did more than one bottle. It says to use one, but since it can only benefit your tank I used more. And please don't buy fish to cycle tanks! It's mean! Especially if you don't plan on keeping them. I cycled mine with 2 damsels and 2 chromis, still have them till this day.

 

[Jj49er]

Yeah dont want damsels so didnt wanna cycle with fish, but thanks for advice safe start is it like live bacteria?

 

[obscurereef]

I used pure ammonia which I added several times (and it didn't stink ) to cycle my tank. Smart start is pretty much just bacteria in a bottle. You don't need to get it though, once again the shrimp will work just fine! Cycling definitely tests your patience. It's really hard to stare at an empty tank for a while Plus the constant asking from friends or family of "so when are you getting fish?" The filter sock shouldn't be a problem, so don't change it. Might have bacteria in it or something. I didn't use mine during the cycle and everything turned out fine. I have a felt filter sock and it gets dirty quite fast, so I put it in the washing machine once a week or 2 (pre-rinse, then no detergent). It can be a pain, but man does it do a great job at making the tank crystal clear! I read that the mesh socks are easier to clean and don't get clogged really, but aren't quite as good as felt.

 

[Jj49er]

Thanks for advice.... Yeah cycle time is patience I can tell turning on lights n all but it seems awesome so I can only imagine once I'm able to add fish it be amazing.... Ok then I will just wait for the shrimp to rot, lol well hope the smell not too bad as ppl say but I can tell my shrimp already turned pink... So hope things go good n thank u for advice

 

[Jj49er]

After the cycle I should wash the sock? Or take it out now n wait for cycle to complete then adding it once the clean up crew show up

 

[melosu58]

We do have a good article about this in our SW articles section.

 

[dwint]

i agree on the damsels.they are to fast and the nastiest fish on earth lol.i had five different ones and they were all killers

 

[Jj49er]

Yeah I heard they killers thus dont want super aggressive fish

 

[willbratz]

Oh so a clean up crew will cycle it as well? Trying not to add damsels heard it hard to get em out of tank after u done cycling if u don't plan to keep em

Getting damsels out isn't any different then getting any other fish out. The trick is a 2 net system!!!