The Reef Pt.5: Cycling the Reef
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- Опубликовано: 16 окт 2024
- Information in this video consists of the following subjects. "How to Cycle a reef aquarium using dry rock", "How to Cure live rock and cycle a reef aquarium using live rock", "How to do a fishless cycle", and "The Pros and Cons of both dry rock and live rock". I also show the benefits of using Seachem's Stability bacterial additive on a graph up to day six of this system's cycle. A completed graph will be shown in a future video upon completion of the cycle for this system.
Brilliant! I've watched hundreds of videos while researching for the last 6 months and this is by far the most informative, in depth video yet. Definitely Subscribing!! Heading to your channel now to check out your other vids.
So impressive your answering comments some 3 years after putting the tutorial up. Awesome dedication and wonderful news for new reefers like myself! Cheers dude! Awesome series btw.... about to watch the fish go in lol
The Reef series Seen for the 3rd time this morning...such great stuff!!! Going to my LFS this morning on reconnoitering mission. Have a great day Scott
Scott!! Bro this series is straight to legit to quit beast mode AWESOME! Already geekin for part 6!
Thanks brother! I really appreciate the approval, especially coming from you.
Great info. Your doing an awesome job on this series bud! Looking forward to the next vid. This is going to be an awesome step by step how to when I set up my reef. Merry Christmas!
Thanks brother! Merry Christmas to you and your family too.
This series has been sooooo helpful...thank you so much. Setting up my IM Nuvo 16 within the next couple weeks and am following your example to the letter!
I wish you the best of luck Rebecca. Let me know if you have any questions along the way.
awesome vid. I like your explanation over the rest of the videos I've watched. Clear and concise. I'm just going to add some food into my tank daily until it's cycled.
Thank you very much! Best of luck on your new aquarium.
Stability is the bomb👌🏽👌🏽 i used fish food and soaked my filter foam in it cycled in less than 11 days
george duncan can you explain more lol I’m cycling my tank now
I wanted to first say I love your videos bro. They are so helpful and very informative. I need some advice. I recently purchased a Tunzee 3155 A-topoff and I'm wondering which chamber it should be placed into. Thank you for the help and advice.
Frankie Leslie Sorry for the late reply. Thank you for the kind words. Your ATO sensor should go in the chamber with your return pump. The fill line from your reservoir can also go in the same chamber, but it can also go in any chamber you desire. I hope this helps.
@@cyberaquarist Thank you so much for your help.
Great info man! I will definitely reference back to this series when I start ny 55g marine. I got in touch with Marco Rocks to order 55lbs of the Key Largo dry rock. Thanks again for all of this great info man!
Thank you! I'm glad you decided to go with the Key Largo dry rock. You definitely won't be disappointed. Looking forward to the 55 setup.
Just epic info brother. no one can explain it like you can my friend
Thanks brother! I try to cover everything, yet explain it in a way for anyone to understand. My goal is for anyone who watches this series to be confident that they can maintain a reef aquarium.
and you are doing just that my friend
Great video, I did everything down to the graphing. I used the ammonium chloride and Biro Spira in my 55 gallon tank, with all dry rock and live sand Fiji pink. Tank cycled in 11 days 0 ammonium 0 nitrite 20 nitrate water change then I'm adding fish thanks again 👍💯
Thank you. I'm glad that you had a quick cycle. Good luck with your tank, and most of all enjoy it.
Those rocks look terrific. Good info, will help alot of people
Thanks James. I appreciate it. That's why I take the time to make these type of videos... to help people.
Hi Scott. Just wanted to share my thoughts about when to add your cleanup crew. My advice is not to be too hasty. Lots of guys add their crew right at the point where you are now. Things is - there's nothing for them to eat. Wait a few months after adding your fish when there's lots of algae & other gunky stuff then they will be most effective. You don't want to have to start feeding your cleanup crew for their survival.
Thanks for the input Alex. I totally agree. My next step after the tank cycles is to add a couple of small fish. The clean up crew will be added once I can visually see algae, diatoms, detritus, etc. I'm also going to wait a month or more before adding any corals. As I mentioned in part One, patience is critical.
Awesome videos! you never mentioned phosphates in your testing. Did you ever test or have problems with the dry rock leaching phosphates?
Thank you Ed. I have tested for PO4 and NO3 as well. PO4 is 0 ppm and NO3 is at 5 ppm now. The NO3 is to be expected until the anaerobic bacteria become established in the system. The tests that I mentioned in this video were for the purpose of monitoring the initial stages of the cycle. I will also be testing for Ca, KH, and Mg as the tank matures. I appreciate the comment.
You are the man! spectacular coverage. I have been doing reefs for about 8 years now and it all has been with live rock. I am getting ready to start a 125 gallon reef with dry rock because of the pros. Did you do any prepping of the dry rock prior to introducing? keep up the good stuff and hats off to you!
Thank you! The rock that I'm using is the Key Largo dry rock from Marco Rocks. I inspected each piece thoroughly, but there wasn't anything organic that needed to be removed except for some small rubble pieces that were within the rock from shipping. I simply rinsed each piece with tap water in my bathtub. Then I allowed each piece to dry before putting it in the tank. Marco Rocks claims that the Key Largo rock is free of dead organics and their cleanest rock. I vouch for their statement.
Great info and great series! Merry Christmas to you and your family, God Bless!
Thanks again, and Merry Christmas to you and your family as well.
awesome vid man , alot of great info
Thanks bro!
Thank you for being very understanding!
Awesome aquascape.....
Thank you
I've had very negative results using Seachem stability on two separate occasions. In fact I swear on my brackish setup it actually haltered the process... took me 4 months to fully cycle. That may have to do with brackish though. I wouldn't use the FW test chart for SW... the colours are extremely different, but yeah you can use the same solutions for most tests.
Great Vid. Just a quick question. I ordered the Marco Key Largo Dry rock. Is it ok if I start the process with "Carib Sea" live sand? Will that be ok with the chemical proces?
Hi I'm new to this and I started my tank about three days ago I was wondering do you have to do water changes while cycling your tank, and I have about 5 pieces of small live rock in the tank and I'm about to add some dry rock will the live rock help with curing the dry rock since I'm only three days in? Any help would be great:)
Water changes don't need to be performed during the cycling process unless your nitrites go above 5 ppm. In that case, just perform a partial water change to bring nitrite (NO2) down to 5 ppm or less. The live rock that is already in your system will help speed up the cycling process as it already has millions of beneficial bacteria on it. Test for nitrites every few days, and once it reaches 0 ppm the tank is cycled. Then you can add a couple of small fish to maintain the bacteria colony. Just take it slow when adding new fish and corals. Be sure to leave your lights off during the cycling process to allow a bio-film to build up on the rock. This will make it harder for nuisance algae to get a foot hold. Don't worry about trying to keep the coralline algae alive by keeping the lights on. A lot of it will die off, but it will quickly rebound once you start running your lights. Good luck!
I'm following your advice concerning the fishless cycle. I'm going to use the A Purple Reef rock and sand. My question is, should I do a water change after the cycle? If so,, what percentage of water change would your recommend? Thanks!!!
Skip Bowman After you have cycled your tank you will have Nitrates in the 20+ mg/L range. Doing a 50% water change will bring your Nitrate levels back down within the acceptable range, and it will replace vital bicarbonates that were depleted during the cycling process. Within a few weeks of the cycle, the anaerobic bacteria that process Nitrates will develop allowing you to perform smaller water changes. Good luck!
Thank you! I really miss your updates and wisdom. Because of your videos and advice, I've gotten back into the hobby after a 20 year break, so much as changed. Back in the day, I've never heard of a fish-less cycle or many of the products that are now available. We just had halides, not even CF were out. Your advice is so helpful and I really appreciate it! Thank you.
Thanks so much. what temperature should the water have just for the curing process?
Hey they, how's the tank going? I see you have the same one that I just picked up a week ago. Question for you, how is the one powerhead working? Did you keep just one or get a second. How;'s the tank running for you? Any issues I may need to know about. Thanks for the video!
Hello Candice. I haven't had a single issue with this tank or the stock return pump. I'm still using the single return pump. The only piece of equipment that I had to replace since this video was the Innovative Marine desktop skimmer. I used it for over two years, but it started requiring constant adjustment to skim properly. I replaced it with a Reef Octopus HOB 2000 Classic skimmer. Her is a link to a more recent video of this tank with all of the same equipment used in this video. It will give you an idea of what is possible. ruclips.net/video/gvJA_hTYMwc/видео.html
Thats great!! I'm really encouraged to hear that you haven't had any issues with the tank. I love this tank and i'm excited to have it for my first saltwater experience. Thank you for the tip on the skimmer, I haven't bought mine yet so I will keep that in mind. Thanks for your help! ~ A Patiently waiting aquarist! lol
did you do any water change during the cycle ? "sorry if you already answer this question" thanks.
So using API fresh water kit to test salt water parameters are seems ok? I keep thinking about why need to buy separate salt water testing kit from API . So people says need separate salt water kit when I research
Already getting nitrites? Your almost there. I'm getting nitrate readings on mine. I'll be updating u all soon. Got a diff way of seeding my tank.
Thanks for watching and the comment CJ. I'm looking forward to an update from you.
i would suggest you buy a black molly or two too cycle your system they only cost around 5 aussie dollars and and do a great job once your tank is up to specs you can disgard them or just leave them in there up to you but that is how i did mine fank and urma lived for three years with my saltwater fish no problems
he's not doing it anymore.. lol he was in the middle of the tank with the center of him up in the air. but now he's crawling all over the tank. idk. sorry... very new and still learning. I been watching all your videos and they are awesome and helpful. sorry to bother you.... just send like you know what your doing.:)
That's perfectly alright Anita. I'm always glad to help when I can. Learning about the aquatic creatures is fascinating. You never know what they will do. It's always a learning experience. Best of luck!
Thank you also one more question if you don't min if my gravity is high can I add distilled water to bring it down
Yes. You can add distilled water to bring down your specific gravity/salinity. You may need to take out some of the saltwater before you add the distilled, depending on how high the salinity is. Always try to maintain the same water level by topping off with distilled, RO/DI, or DI water, because as the water evaporates the salinity will go up. That's why I highly recommend using an auto top off system. It is one of the best investments you can make to ensure a stable salinity.
Is that tank a JBJ 45? That's what I'm thinking about starting up. I've never cycled a tank with dry rock; if one is using live sand when should they add that?
Sean Kilpatrick, as soon as you set up the tank you should add it.
Can you cycle with freshwater? Then once your cycle is complete do a total water change with saltwater?
Just curious. I'm considering setting up a 12 gallon long reef soon and am trying to learn as much as possible.
JC Cichlids No. The strains of nitrifying bacteria are different in freshwater than in saltwater. Cycle your tank with saltwater.
cyberaquarist Thanks for the reply! Complicated little simple organisms aren't they? Hahaha
👊😎
So when you put your dry rock in the tank. Where did the bacteria and matter come from to cycle the tank, you said your rock was void of all such things.
Chooper, you can introduce beneficial bacteria via live sand or a bottle of say Bio Spira.
Hi, do we need the lights to be on to start the cycling of the dry rocks ?
The lights do not need to be in for the cycle. The beneficial bacteria do not require light. Leaving the lights off allows the bacteria to build up on the rock discouraging nuisance algae from getting a foothold.
+cyberaquarist ok thank you for that answer. In that video, you've just added Ammonia, but I don't understand how the benefical bacteria arrive in the tank in the firt place, as we used only dry rocks ? I'm asking because I am a newbie in the hobby and I will soon start my tank with dry rocks only.
+KayMuslimeen We all have to start somewhere. The beneficial bacteria will establish on their own. It's the same principal as with mold growing on cheese for example. You don't have to add the mold spores. They just start growing with time. There are bacteria on the dry rock, but not at the levels that are required to cycle your aquarium. They reproduce at an exponential rate of left undisturbed and fed a source of ammonia.
+cyberaquarist Ok thank you a lot, now I understand ;). I will probably come back to you if I have further questions if you don't mind.
Hi. I am currently cycling "dead" dry rock (was live). It's only been in a tub for 3 days. It is emitting a pungent smell in the afternoon due to high temperatures. I'm not sure if it ammonia, mildew, etc. I am a virgin reefer. It smells salty. I will be testing for ammonia soon, but the rocks are only in an RO bath. Next week, ill be starting it with salwater w/ bacteria dosing each day. Am i doing this the proper way?
The smell may be ammonia, from dead organic materials from the past, as you mentioned here. I hope im still doing this the proper way. 1 week w/ ro (pump only). Week 2 w/ saltwater & bacteria dosing.
Hello Clyde. Depending on what type of dry rock you have will determine whether or not you have enough decaying organic matter to cycle the rock without adding a source of ammonia. Many types of dry rock such as Marco's or BRS reef savers is too clean to start a cycle alone. Once you put the rock in saltwater mixed to 1.026 specific gravity/ 35 ppt salinity just test for ammonia. If ammonia concentrations don reach at least 3 mg/L, then you can add 1 drop per gallon of Dr. Tim's ammonium chloride or throw in some fish food to feed the bacteria. Test every other day and add more ammonia source to get back to 3 mg/L. Start testing for nitrite once you see ammonia dropping. Your nitrite will spike before eventually dropping to zero. Once nitrite tests 0 your rock has cycled. Hope this helps.
+cyberaquarist thank you! I appreciate the input! That's how i actually planned on tackling the rock cure/cycle. Next week i will be starting the bacteria dose & testing. I understand that if i show no ammonia, then the cycling will be delayed since i will have to add ammonia in myself (via ammonium chloride)
I was wondering, how long does it take (days/weeks) for each portion? Ammonia to Nitrite to Nitrate? I saw that you ended by day 20. I'm starting off with only a 20 gal long. Im a freshwater guy going into reef. still continuing my research everyday.
Are the protein skimmer and wave pumps running during the cycling period ?
I do run the protein skimmer and wave maker during the cycle. The skimmer won't actually pull anything from the water at this early stage in the tanks life, but skimmer's have to "break in". During the break in period the skimmer puts out a lot of micro bubbles into the tank. Id rather this take place while there aren't any corals in the tank. Running the wave maker insures that all parts of the live rock are receiving good water flow for the cycle.
+cyberaquarist ok cool; thank you.
I like that metaphore at the beginning lol
strange question for you? I'm new at the hobby and was wondering if you knew why my sand sifting star is humored up in the middle? he's been doing really good. all over the tank. just want to make sure he's OK
I'm not exactly sure what your asking. Is he staying in the middle of your tank?
Anita Nunley your star fish was starving
Woke up to a great Xmas surprise great vid
Thank you sir. I appreciate the comment.
If your live rock is fresh, then the rock will not need cycling or curing, and there will be no ammonia or nitrate produced. The rock is ready cycled, and full of bacteria. You just need to wait 6 days to be sure nothing has died, and produced an ammonia spike. If you are adding live rock to an existing reef tank, then you need to put it in a bucket of salt water from the existing tank, this will prevent die of, when the rock is added to the maid display. Nice scape!!.
You are correct, and I did mention that fact at 2:20 in the video. This tank is now 2 1/2 years old. Thanks for the compliment.
There you go again.
Thanks brother! Merry Christmas to you and your family.
You too
thanks
UR correct without live rock Or samd my nano cycle was like 13 days!!!!☝🏽
is there such thing as phosphate cycle in the reef tank?
Tbomb, kind of.
You will get phosphate from dry rock bc of the dead matter still on it. This varies though.
You can also get phosphate from tap water and food that enters the system.
There will always be a little bit of phosphate in an established tank. This is good
Too much phosphate bad
Too little is also bad.
cyberaquarist, I'm on day 10 of my cycle. I have a white/clear film of slime on my clear flex tubing in the sump. Have you heard of this? Theres others too!! haha. the slime only grows on tubing and suction cups. Thanks. awesome channel
Thank you Kawwkan. Don't worry about the film that's building up on the rubber parts. It's perfectly normal for this to happen. It is some form of a bacterial bloom that is attracted to silica based rubberized parts. I have even witnessed fish eating it with no ill effects. Enjoy your new aquarium and good luck.
Thanks cyberaquarist. I got scared haha I'm bleaching hoses now and drained my sump and re-filled. haha! I'm thinking I should use my UV for a couple days. thanks again for the quick response.
I know this video is 5 years old, but testing a marine tank with a freshwater test kit.......
I meant salinity sorry
seems