Cycling Reef Tank (The Best Way) 🤙🏼

The best way I have found to cycle a reeftank.

[@Scott-cy6zv]

Jesus man your good!! I am subbing here because I have my fingers crossed that your gonna start pumping out new content. These are all questions I’ve been wondering and you explain it in human terms where newbies like myself can understand this stuff.

[@Fifthimagez]

One of the best Cycling videos on KZbin

[@Dd0tNyC]

Once he said do your cycle with your lights on I can’t listen or trust anything else he says ✌🏽

[@macsmith355]

As a house framer this explanation could not have been more clear to me.

[@zafishguy5166]

I started basically a week after I setup the tank with 2 clowns but I kept the lighting low until I got corals once I raised it I realized my clean up crew was not enough now I have to go and get more clean up crew. Part of the cycle should be raising your lighting to coral levels and adjusting clean up crew appropriately.

[@rayzorhead]

I’m new to the reef aquarium game and am Currently on Day 4 of cycling. Currently using as advised by our local aquarium store a brand called Aquaforest Bio S. One drop per day along with a generous pinch of fish food. So I do this one drop daily which obviously is slower process than your way by adding the whole bottle of bacteria. I hope I’m doing this right!

[@el_guapo1318]

The only time I have had an issue was when I had two of my larger inhabitants die at night. Caused a crash. Basically, from what I could tell, my coral banded shrimp harassed my six line wrasse, they fought, and then both died. So I woke up to find my two clowns struggling to breathe, the corals being stressed out, bristle worms everywhere, algae bloom, and cloudy water. I immediately went into overdrive doing a full water change. No problems since, except for one of my two clowns dying, but that could be due to the other one going a little too hardcore in attempting to establish dominance. Or it was sick. not sure which. Either way, my Frostbite is still doing great, and its new (and 2 times larger) Midnight tankmate are doing fine. Had some dominance display from the Midnight the first two days, but after it knocked the shit out of my Frostbite on that second day, there have been no more dominance fights.

[@TheSonofabiscuit]

Doing it the right way suddenly gets more affordable too

[@pearsonaquaticdesign2329]

Another added benefit to using mollies, is the fact that most of the possible pathogens that the molly may be carrying in freshwater won't survive the transition into saltwater, so you'll be adding disease free fish into your system

[@orphekreeferreef9587]

Hey thanks for all the great content we used to use damsels for this too my last tank I did a fishless cycle I'm gunna give the mollies a shot can I add them right away or should I test my parameters at all

[@multanemo]

Dr Tim’s Ammonia and TurboStart. And cycling a tank with fish is stupid and cruel, given doing it without gets you to the same point without burning the gills of fish.

[@turnerdischinger6365]

Michael Lee I gotta agree. Plus if u think about it, adding ammonia is less work because u don’t have to do constant water changes

[@adamtaylor796]

Also, what does he do to the fish when the cycle is over? Gotta also agree with you.

[@flannelcommander]

Pear Apple 6:57

[@bigashhultgren3738]

Awesome , great info , cheers team

[@photographyinflight4183]

Could be wrong, but I don't think you want any lights on during the cycling process. But, I've been wrong before......once.....long time ago.

[@abh3960]

My new rimless 20. I have kickstarted from my 45. And used quick start. But leaving the algea on sand and rocks alone. Just letting it go.

[@christiancorals816]

When I started I used the dead shrimp method with LR and waited for 8 weeks

[@raging_taco1444]

Did u just throw the dead shrimp in there and leave it there or how dose this work?

[@christiancorals816]

@@raging_taco1444 I left it in for 3 days tank went cloudy then i took it out then waited for 6 weeks then tank cycle but you can use Dr Tim one and only and can cycle in 9 day eat sleep reef as done a video on this mate

[@AdamUS123-j7q]

When do you do the first water change than?

[@BubbaBoBobBrain1979]

What about seeding a new tank with pods when using dry rock? I have found that to also be a huge help with a new tanks cycle

[@RobertoPerez-jl9bs]

Did you ever proceeded to do so if so I'm curious because I want to do something similar as this, once cycled or getting close to cycled I'm thinking of releasing a lot of copepods into my tank and let them colonize for about 2-3 weeks then I'm about to get a dragonet and not have to worry about copepods later on down the road or will the dragonet whipe them out and i myself will have to keep adding copepods please let me know im really looking into dragonets just not the whole buying copepods every week to feed

[@modotd3885]

​@@RobertoPerez-jl9bsThis is exactly what I need to know too. When to add them and will they keep reproducing if I give them enough rock etc to hide in

[@VikingsFan27]

I do feel like this video was good overall but I feel like you are a little windy. I would've liked to see it a little more to the point and tell us only necessary info.

[@stevedell7674]

I've started cycling my new tank 6 weeks ago and the Ammonia: 1.0ppm Nitrite: 0ppm Nitrate: 5.0ppm. The way I cycled is by using Quantum Water treatment for 7 days then left the tank alone for 12days then started dosing 1 capful Seachem Stability every day for a couple for weeks then stopped and left the tank. I continue testing these parameters but the ammonia never goes to zero, what would you suggest?

[@hvalentino9573]

Thank you for this! Do you know when should I add Molly’s to the tank? How many days should we wait after adding the bacteria? Thanks!

[@ryandixon6428]

4 to 5 days after you add the liquid cycle you add the fish to start the cycle with some small amount of food to feed the fish every 1 to 2 days . Wait till diatomaceous form on the rock then remove 1 Molly to 1 saltwater

[@kriengsakwangdulyakiti8349]

Do whatever you want but never let algae/diatom dominate your tank. Once algae there it will always come back and the fight is never end. Only second tank owner have patient and see how important of slow cycling. My second tank was 4 months cycling light off, zero NO3, PO4 for one year and have Tangs from beginning, I add Acro after one year. My second tank is now Acro tank and rock is still white like new. My first tank still keep me fighting till date, Acro never can survive there only softies, LPS and some easy SPS.

[@Kenny_Edmonton]

I used mollies to try and cycle my qt tank. I’m new to this, and I don’t think I acclimated them properly because they died by the next day

[@newzombie1]

Dude when are you coming back?!?!?!

[@josh.quattro.0849]

Honestly thank you.

[@KaltrinaDemiri]

Can you do a step by step video showing us how you got the mollies to be fully saltwater

[@Fifthimagez]

You have to drip acclimate them slowly

[@jacklawer6389]

What exactly is a diatom please? Gr8 informative video thx

[@travish9833]

You can lift houses and fix foundations 😉 but good point regardless. Is all your coral gone? Or just at like an lfs? Or are you completely restarting.

[@aquariumartist_hyd]

Hi great video, if you don't mind I would like to hear more about the (Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate) testing that you might have done and in what intervals and water changes? (I have started my tank just yesterday and I am following what you did) but if you could please help me with the testing and water changes part, kindly help me with this.

[@PepeCoinMania]

ammonia and nitrites must be zero, test it everyday if you want until you are done. they must be zero and nitrates will start raise, at such point you want a water change

[@pauldeacon8764]

Great video! You know the music that was playing through the video, who is the artist please?? 😀👍

[@zombiesindustries]

Nutrient export problem? I don’t know her. I own an algae scrubber!

[@imaboarder182]

Arisbel Perez me too!

[@reeferexplained8846]

Yep agree, Dr Tim's and then add drops of ammonia chloride 5days cycled tank. Dry rock agree live rock nightmare, pests green hair algae

[@matys82]

Great video I'm started my 400l reef tank on 40kg dry rock and dry sand, adding 70ml 10% ammonia solution and Microbe-lift SPECIAL BLEND bacteria. Adding 1kg MAXSPECT BioSpheres to sump. After 5 weeks NH3 = 0 / NO2=0 / and my NO3 is maxout on Salifert test scale >100ppm. Today i addet 250ml of Chaetomorpha to sump and start lightning it for 12h. How can i reduce NO3? Should I wait? Wat is the NO3 safe level to clown fish? 200l water cheange is the last thing I would like to do. (time to produce water and buying new salt)

[@marcosherrera675]

I enjoyed your video. I'm in the middle of a cycle with my red sea reefer 300xl. So I started my cycle labor day 2021 it's now almost Thanksgiving this Thursday 2021. I just turned on my lights and skimmer. I'm running xr15 gen 5. From echotech. I set them to the ab plus program at 15% intensity. I have two medium clown fish I added about a month ago. I'm running those eshopps bio blocks. Should I add that other bio media you suggested now? Or is it too late? I used dr Tim's one and only to start this cycle and have been using microbacter 7 all these months. I tested my water this weekend and I had a trace of ammonia. Did I do something wrong?

[@xM3THOD1x]

btw reefers, cycling a tank is one of the processes that's okay to rush. Rushing to add livestock to an uncycled tank is the problem. Know the difference.

[@1qaz209]

Hello, what would you recommend as the number of mollies/ gallons recommendation for cycling?

[@turnerdischinger6365]

This obviously works, but why not manually add ammonia instead

[@PepeCoinMania]

do not turn on the lights, there are nothing to compete against algae LOL

[@SergioPSgamingkid]

Sick

[@kiogh5295]

Hi how are you can i use light and skimmer when starting new cycle?

[@xlregicidelx7691]

I started my Tank Last week And My amonia is at .25ppm Nitrites are at 0 and my nitrates are are 2ppm Should I add my fish yet? I used Dr Tim’s one and only and Dr Tim’s amonia and I plan on adding corals many months ahead what do you suggest?

[@moereefer]

nick fernandez no wait tell u have only Nitrates only

[@fishfreakphil9778]

Wait until both Ammonia and Nitrate measure 0 after 24 hrs after you add the ammonia. Don't rush it as it wont take long. Oh and keep your lights off. You don't need them for anything plus it will help Algae from growing.

[@xclusivereef5805]

Just came to find out Mode Aquatics is same company as Cad Lights... How well do you trust this company? saw some mixed opinions more negative than positive. I was really looking forward to their 135gal tank..

[@zardashtar8503]

Hello. Should I add media reactors in cycling time ?

[@suvporridge2603]

I cycled my tank with fish food, but that was kind of a mistake cuz white flakes started flying around and i had to buy a hose cleaner and had to clean it multiple times until it finally went away, but the same time coralline algea started appearing on my rocks... So i failed and succeeded? Task failed successfully

[@eatsleepreef9565]

I don’t think you did bad at all the food was your ammonia source. Honestly if you didn’t get huge algae outbreak and coraline started growing means you got to the same end goal we are all after 😊 as long as you took it slow after the cycle you allow the system to adapt slowly for the bigger bioload

[@suvporridge2603]

@@eatsleepreef9565 yea i took it slow after that and actually i got my first fish in yesterday! And the clean up crew aswell. Tank is about 2 months old now. The little baby clownfish are just the cutest and my parents love them aswell ♥️♥️

[@antjohnson4236]

Whats that stuff you have stuck your rocks together with?

[@lifeofpicaso]

Did you set up the tank, add the Fish and the Turbo start all the same day?

[@alexandravivaldi9993]

i got sponges in my 2yrs old tank if i take that out and put that in my new tank will that cycle the tank? my fish have ick and i need to put them in a tank i just got, i took my old filter out of the tank that i was going to wash it, i put that in my new tank, looks like when i tested it, nitrite is done it was very light cyan color. now my ammon 1-2 still high, should i do a water change or wait another 24/hrs even with ick they're eating good, once i get the tank stablish and cycled i am going to leave them 80days in the tank hoping within that 80days running fishless in my display tank ick will get killed i will have a ickless tank what comes to copper and ick X how long should i dos it, 1 months then stop dosing or 2 months? not sure what should i do should i mix copper and ick x together?

[@Jmatrixxxxxxxx]

When to do your first water change

[@rogerman25]

Are the mollies reef safe? I swear I seen one pick at a zoa today

[@marcelrodriguez2067]

Whats your opinion on marinepure blocks? I currencly have one in my sump and even my nitrates have remained at less then 5 ppm for like a month now.

[@eatsleepreef9565]

Never tried it but I’m sure they work great.

[@OA1998.]

I have another question for you how many mollys should i keep in a reefer 350? During the cycle

[@RomseyReef]

So lights off to prevent algae growth? I’m 2 weeks in my cycle on a Fluval Evo 13.5G using stock lights @ the mo my light haven’t been on but surely after a cycle and then a few weeks more I turn the lights on am I then going to hit the algae issue?? I’m using siporax btw LR and LS and used Dr Tim’s bacteria 🦠

[@josephg.8919]

How many mollies would you get for a 45 gallon??? Also just setup the tank the other day so wait like a couple days then put them in ? Or right away ?

[@shdhdhsj8311]

Don’t get a saltwater tank for mollies KEKW

[@KingAH123]

Bob ross?

[@Jeremywalsh7]

Where can I find all the info on your current setup as in equipment?

[@eatsleepreef9565]

Haven’t listed it completely as I am still adding stuff. I can answer it on here just let me know what you are looking for

[@Jeremywalsh7]

@@eatsleepreef9565 I was curious about the sump setup and lights since it's an all in one tank.

[@eatsleepreef9565]

This one here isn’t an all in one as it has a sump on the bottom it’s an advance acrylic sump with dalua great white skimmer and a reef octopus return.

[@Jeremywalsh7]

@@eatsleepreef9565 I'm lookin to build a small sps dominated tank and I like the way yours is setup. it looks super clean.

[@eatsleepreef9565]

Thanks brotha. If you are interested in this tank I can do an amazing deal for you. Send me a message on Instagram

[@mattchristopulos2513]

What size tank is that?

[@bejo9854]

How long do i need for cycling?

[@saurabhdoha]

I have a lot of hair algae, i have corals and fishes, can i still add molly to clean up the algae

[@TattooedDancer91]

no they don't eat algae like that. Get snails and hermit crabs. After you remove the algae by hand.

[@borracho8399]

What else is a good fish to use for cycle

[@thehobbyguy]

Clown fish.

[@austinbassin4420]

Well that didnt explain any steps so....

[@MannySingha]

Amazing Video Really helped. I was looking for some advice. I've got a red sea reefer 625. I've got some old dead rock that was live. I'm going to cure them before I use them. I'm going to use a natural sea water company to come and fill my tank. The sea water has got live bacteria in it already. I will also use caribsea live sand. And one piece of live rock from LFS. My question was do I need to add nitrifying bacteria to it. I don't want to add fish right away. I would like to cycle it without the fish if that is possible to do so?

[@avatargunner6776]

Could you use a yellow clown goby to cycle your tank or would it die?

[@StraitClownin909]

I've had my yellow clown goby for 3 years now amd I would never dare use him to cycle a new tank. He has more personality and is braver than any fish in the tank. Much love for bobes the gobe. Use fish that suck.

[@c4snipar]

It’s cycled when you see coraline algae? Sure, the longer the better but I don’t think it’s necessary. Nothing against you but just my 2cents

[@rhombifer566]

I agree mostly with you but you’re not really comparing apples to apples there

[@TheLastMinuteAngler_JohnHewitt]

Hay what % is your various 6 on please?

[@eatsleepreef9565]

2

[@clowngames6164]

Wish you uploaded this only few weeks ago. I'm new to saltwater, long story short, lfs tested my water said it's ok add some clowns I picked up 2 after week or two diatom showed up not huge amounts because I only put tiny bit of food, so asked them what next they said pick up some snail so I got 7 turbo snails. Can you tell me what to do next it has been about week since I added snails should I keep everything as it is and is this going to cause any issues later? Any advice for future. Thanks sorry for long comment, good luck with new tank. 🙂

[@Jake-li7ih]

Your doing everything right. Algea blooms in the beginning are normal. Just keep up on water changes and testing maybe not add any fish for awhile. If algea gets to out of control you can always temporary shorten your light cycle or even turn the lights off for a couple days. If you don't have a protein skimmer you should look into getting one just dont buy a cheap one. Hope this helps

[@clowngames6164]

@@Jake-li7ih thanks man, yes I do run the skimmer lights are on 50% did a 10% water change today,changed socks and all that good stuff, just asking because we all want to enjoy our tanks not just sorting issues. Again thanks and have a good day.

[@chrish116]

how many water changes over the cycle ?

[@user-fu6df1we6y]

Чёрные пецилии могут жить в морском

[@cheyennec8081]

You do any waterchange? How are your phosphate levels?

[@rhombifer566]

You’re not really comparing apples to apples there

[@smp-seanmilesproductions3784]

I’m just started my new reef tank. I just completed day one. When should add my fritz 9? I have not problem taking my time to get my tank right. I have. Waterbox 100.3

[@eatsleepreef9565]

If follow the directions on the bottle. You should be good to add already

[@oropherelf8544]

Antonio, I'm curious about what your tank temperature is at. Is that only with heater, no cooling whatsoever?

[@eatsleepreef9565]

This gas heater only 77

[@oropherelf8544]

@@eatsleepreef9565 In my place ambient water temp is 86F. So i have to rely on chiller to bring it to 77.

[@tonyaclark1570]

I dont agree using live fish to cycle a tank. I use the bacteria and dead shrimp method.

[@Low4show09]

Lmao

[@retroreefs7986]

Nutrifying? = nitrifying bacteria.. I like Brightwell microbachter7 with Dr. Tim’s ammonium chloride. Don’t use fish don’t use shrimp. I never add fish to a tank with an ammonia or nitrite reading. I’m also not a big fan of running lights. I believe a tank needs time for the non photosynthetic organisms to establish and do there thing before turning on lights. All that being said there are many ways to skin a cat. Good luck with your build

[@rhombifer566]

U should not do any of that anyway

[@califishliving1437]

I prefer the one day cycle, then just flop and drop, great video though

[@alexandravivaldi9993]

i got sponges in my 2yrs old tank if i take that out and put that in my new tank will that cycle the tank? my fish have ick and i need to put them in a tank i just got, i took my old filter out of the tank that i was going to wash it, i put that in my new tank, looks like when i tested it, nitrite is done it was very light cyan color. now my ammon 1-2 still high, should i do a water change or wait another 24/hrs even with ick they're eating good, once i get the tank stablish and cycled i am going to leave them 80days in the tank hoping within that 80days running fishless in my display tank ick will get killed i will have a ickless tank what comes to copper and ick X how long should i dos it, 1 months then stop dosing or 2 months? not sure what should i do should i mix copper and ick x together?