reef sand instant cycle... just add fish

[tim the toolman]

In 6-8 weeks a livestock pic should hopefully only be a couple of fish tops.
They say the only thing that happens fast in this hobby is failure. Remember that we set up our systems to survive for many years. So waiting several weeks is just a drop in the bucket compared to the overall goal.
View your tank as a work of art and your fish as companions/pets and the time involved in their happiness will be well worth it.
Good luck with this set up by the way. Hope all goes well this time around.

[troni]

Originally Posted by paddyob

The best thing is ensure you get a test kit.

A tank crash causes die off even on the rock.

Add your sand and rock. Let it sit 3/4 weeks and then test it. You want ALL tests of ammonia, nitrate, nitrite to come at zero. Any levels detectable mean you are cycling.

The good bacteria is still there, it's the die off that needs to "disappear" or become neutralized and removed by filters.

Personally I say 4 weeks. 6 in extreme cases. Just let it sit. Watch the tank go through the cycle. The remaining bacteria will populate again once the toxins are gone. Your live sand will HELP. As will water changes.

There are also bacteria cultures you can add.

Dont take me wrong. I just lay it out. No offense was meant. Just be patient and get through your cycle and the tank will prosper.

Good luck.

nitrates only raise when ammonia and nitrites go down, hence why we do w/c.

[Reef Puffer]

ive used that sand (was the white shell kind). it took like a week before i could see through the murkiness, had huge stick like stuff in it, and altho it says 100% natural.... it actually had small chunks of garbage in it (like some sort of plastic bag chunks)? idk about the cycle because it was put into established water and six months later i still havnt put fish in... looks ok now, but i likely wouldnt use it again. good luck and best wishes with your setup.