3 Ways to Cycle Your Saltwater Tank FAST (Or Slow) & More! EP: 17

[@EmpireReefer]

This guy is freaking amazing. I love how he explains things takes his time. Really easy to understand.

[@dayankkumarasinghe]

IT CAN'T GET ANY BETTER! BEST EXPLANATION EVER!!! Thanks so much for the comprehensive explanation. You the best!!!

[@wittleMermaid13]

Going through a marathon of all your videos! Thanks Matthew! I feel like I should call you Professor - so clear and concise with the heart of a teacher!

[@jennabrandow8666]

THANK YOU SO MUCH! I APPRECIATE YOU EXPLAINING EVERYTHING IN DETAIL AND IN A WAY I CAN UNDERSTAND!

[@andywatson3785]

Never really understood until now. After many failures at great expense of getting it wrong. Now the light bulb is on. Many thanks for taking the time to explain so clearly. 🎉😊

[@roshill2010]

Thank you for the amount of information you have given is truly helping us out with alot of questions we had.

[@lisagregg2009]

Love the video, you make a biological process so easy to understand

[@michaelwiggins9926]

In regards to mixing bacteria blends, I've done that in all of my freshwater tanks and it seems to have made my biofiltration more responsive and adaptive to changes in stalking or other factors. I would expect that the same should be true for saltwater tanks as it would likely diversify strains of bacteria that can adapt better in different situations. That being said, combining 2 or 3 blends in smaller doses spread over about a week seems to have the best results, as each strain has a better chance to get established as water conditions change to some extent daily during cycling. I intend on doing that with my saltwater tank that I hope I'll have set up next week.

[@ronweber7943]

Well done. Super job explaining things. Thanks very much.

[@tylerbrooks3273]

Awesome video! If I have bought a tank that was already set up for a few months but now has sat dry for a period of time would it still have all of the beneficial bacteria or would they be dead since there is not any water?

[@stevec6633]

Brilliant info for my little brain. Thank you

[@maddisondee5395]

When I used to work at pet store back in California, I actually recommended black mollies to cycle saltwater fish tank. Black mollies are brackish fish, they can thrive in both fresh and salt water tanks And they're cheap.

[@bluereef9530]

Very important you didn't mention. Keep the temp at least 80 so bacteria grows faster. Another important point you need some kind of rock or sand, sponge where the bacteria can grow.

[@syrenagrey182]

Thank you for the informative video. Super helpful for beginners. I'm just wondering if I should leave my protein skimmer on, since one of the BRStv's blog has mentioned: "As organic material in your tank breaks down into smaller particulate matter, running your protein skimmer will allow for air and water to be mixed into a dense foam where these particles can make their way up through the skimmer body, over the skimmer neck, and finally end up exported in the skimmer’s collection cup. Without running your skimmer this particulate matter would further break down into nitrate and phosphate which will fuel algae growth and only cause you headaches in the long run. This is equally as important, if not more important when curing dry rock in a separate system or in the new tank itself."

[@joenewman6494]

So do you not have the sponge in filter when cycle tank and what about charcoal my first time?

[@olafbeblo3317]

Hey ! I started my first marine tank last week , i dosed dr tims and then couple of days later realised i havent remived filter sponge ( as i thought well iys not a sock so its probaby different) then j removed it and the whole process stalled for 7 days now . Amonia same readings every 12 hrs . Have i removed all the bacteria with filter sponge ? Should i give it a week or just restart and lesson learned ?

[@moshake8221]

Thank you for making this whole series so easy to understand! What about method 4; use established media/filter from a mature tank - is this method recommended? and is it REALLY an 'instant cycle' that everyone talks about, ready to add (one or two hardy) fish on day 1?

[@bad65dad]

Great video even after 30 years of saltwater tanks good to listen what you have to say 3 tanks running 0 water changes no more .

[@_jae.anthony_]

this is great, I just recently moved and my tank has been going for about 8 years so im starting fresh due to a crazy aptasia breakout i couldnt get rid of. Figured it was time to aquascape and start a new tank.

[@luckkibehemoth6626]

For those that are stumbling on this later. There is now a Fritz fishless cycle you can get with their FritzZyme 900 turbo start.

[@eastnjman368]

Fritz does have a version of ammonia chloride. I’m currently using it.

[@LuisRivera-bn9ts]

Hey Matthew, I have a question if I may ask, I started a 75 gal. all saltwater fish tanks. I purchased them from a box store, I'm using 2 of the Fluval Aqua Clear 110 with my setup, and I have Live sand and rocks in the tank. I'm doing the fishless Dr. Tim One and Only mentored on Cycling my tank, I added 6oz of the Dr. Tim One and Only bacteria and 300 drops which equals 1 Tablespoon of Dr. Tim ammonia. I'm testing the water as directed each day, this is my 5th day and I started seeing the change of color on the rocks from purple to an off-white color. Is that normal? Should I be worried? I'm am doing something wrong? Please advises.

[@eloygutierrez5294]

The best product to cycle your tank IMO is instant oceans bio spira

[@savagehummie2210]

How long did yours produce micro bubbles. I just got one and my tank is almost not see through there are so many. I’m just starting my first salt water tank. Should I buy a different one, if so which one is the best bang for your Buck. I’ve already spent so much and stuff hasn’t worked. I need good products so I don’t keep buying junk ones and wasting more money.

[@karennation3580]

I have dr Tims and microbacter start can I add a fish at any point? Asking because I am not sure when I can get a fish or on the xact day its cycled. I want to put my damsel in there because he is mean! LOL What if it cycled and I dont add the fish right away? How do I keep cycle going? Also dont I turn on my HOB filter but with no sponge. Is is good to take out some media and rocks from main display ( put in the hob) or will that harm my main display? . This is for a 20 l frag tank. I have a bunch of high end zoas and shrooms I want o add but worried that I will go through ugly stage and they will die! They are in my tank and taking up to much room though! Isnt it better not to turn lights on for 4 months? I did that once and didnt have an ugly stage. Also I heard if you add mb clean right after its cycled you can avoid ugly stage. I dont have sand since frag tank just rubble and media balls ect.

[@jmboulware]

You forgot another old school method... Peeing in your tank. 🤣

[@artesiabulldogs]

lol

[@richalan7156]

Thanks great video 🎉

[@lesliebates2913]

I’m setting up a fluval 32 gallon. Should I leave out the foam, carbon and ceramic while adding the bacteria and ammonia? I don’t think I did that with my 13 gallon🤦‍♀️

[@Nick-co9pf]

ceramic yes. Carbon no. Get the carbon out. it soaks up the good stuff and pulls it out of the water. you do not want carbon when cycling. Carbon should typically only be used after the cycle is complete and you have water clarity issues.

[@Amethyst.]

Do you keep a filter going for the first method? I’m planning on doing the shrimp one because while I let it sit I can focus on setting up other stuff for it.

[@garysteinert8040]

How soon after adding ammonia do u ad the dr Tim’s.

[@sripandhare]

thanks bro

[@JustinBentley-vb2dq]

Hey I have a 20 gallon saltwater tank with a pair of clownfish and a few snails and crabs. How could I add ph to my tank safely. It was testing just a little low but I want it to be as perfect as I can get it. Thank you

[@alaskacosplay]

I might try bottled bacteria and fish in cycles since I need an ammonia source and I might use chromis rather than clownfish.

[@jasongarrett7602]

You said in the video to remove the filter sock. Could you also remove other filter elements as well?

[@MrJarzy2001]

My take is a bit different. I dosed Seachem Stability because I had a vial of those and decided to go with it-fir science. My 1st Reef tank. Have 2 freshwater tanks. I dosed Stability week 1. Added some nice brown waste from my friend's skimmer. Monitored ammonia. Never went above 1ppm. Decided to add fish as Seachem stated in the manual. Added a pair of small clowns (maybe 4cm max). Kept monitoring ammonia almost everyday. Nitrite showed up on week 3 I think. Went to 1ppm max. Since I got a bit scared I dosed Seachem Prime once. Nitrites never spiked again. So 3 weeks and cycle was done. Nitrates showed up. Never exceeded 2ppm...Salifert NO3 really has trash color chart for low levels...and is actually pretty useless coz of that. Got money? Buy Hanna. I've turned my lights after a month. (150W T5 for a 240 display). After a while I went yolo and bought KZ Zeobak. End Word: why Stability? Had a choice between ATM Colony and Seachem. Had a 50ml vial of Stability do decided to go with it. Both od these bateria have similar instructions. Matthew I live Your vids!! My day is better when I see a YT notice :) I hate when You talk about equipment, especially the more expensive ones like Neptune or Apex. Keep making basics please!!!

[@yusorredwan4144]

What's the fish @6:46 ? It's so pretty and looks interesting !

[@jamalhicks2380]

I have a canister filter do I remove the sponges during the cycle?

[@mattworley7043]

Anyone have any insight for me im trying to get my hear around cycling, once you have completed your first cycle is it a continous cycle or do you just keep track of the values to make sure they are safe and adjust accordingly?

[@oiseaufeu]

I'd use mollies for a fish in cycle. Yes, mollies can be in saltwater if slowly aclimated to saltwater. I do plan on doing a fishless cycle for my saltwater tank. It will have live sand and live rocks. I believe that live sands have beneficial bacteria liquid in the sand. I do think this could boost the cycling process as well.

[@talk2yous6]

After the cycle process and doing a 40% water change should my Nitrates be a certain range before fish?

[@zaydraper7988]

There is now a fritz amonia this video helped me so much

[@dominickschultz3479]

So I have a fluval 13.5 and I threw in 30 gallons worth of bacteria from coralife, my skimmer has been on the entire time but I didn't know I shouldn't have had it going.. I assumed it was like my fresh water, more filtration the better.?? But my cycle seems to be doing fine. It's been going for a week and a half now

[@tylerneal5390]

Wow so much good info for people new to the saltwater side. I got interest in saltwater when i seen the Tanked TV show one thing im confused with is how they were able to put fish in the same day they put the water in the tank without cycling did they use some kind of Bottle l Bacteria? Have you or anyone used there l ATM Colony Nitrifying Bacteria?

[@jennanation6992]

I don thave filter socks because I have an hob so do I not add any filters to the hob? I have seachems tidal that comes with a lot of matrix in a bag that you put in the compartment But I was thinking of using for my rubble bed. Its a 20 long frag tank to keep softies like zoas and mushrooms. Should i put some rocks from my reef tank or rubble thats in my sump in the compartment that the matrix, filters ect go in? I bought some live rubble form my lfs but it was just left in a cooler the lfs gave me with the saltwater and i didnt add a wavemaker. It stayed that way for about a month so probably is no longer live but could it be dangerous and leach nutrients into tank? The water didint smell bad or anything. Since I already have 2 reef tanks how can I get this up and going faster? I have about 40 zoas coming at once and really not enough space for them! LOL> I got a bit crazy bidding ! LOL. Also , is it dangerous for my display tanks to remove some of the live rock rubble in my sump? I dont want to throw it off balance somehow because I also have a lot of high end frags goin in there? I have a 2 to 3 year old bottle of dr tims ammonia. Do you think it will be good? I also have MB7 but you don think that works as well? I had turbo start but it was old so I threw it out! Its time for a water change with my 2 tanks. Should I add the carbon I was going to change and poly filter to the media compartment? What about some of the water? Appreciate some advice and sorry so many questions! Great video!

[@seanpaterson1602]

I was considering using bacteria from dr.tims and fritz... any thoughts

[@Will40th]

Should I remove all media from Hob before when cycling tank?

[@dingodyno9016]

Could i leave the tank cycling for a year then if thats the case without turning on the lights and all that Jazz?

[@MannySingha]

Awesome video!! Im currently cyling my tank red sea reefer 625 . Its been set up for 4 weeks. Ammonia is on about 0.25. I've kept in my filter socks. Shall I take them out? I was thinking of adding frtizyme turbo 900. I've got Live rock and live sand in the the tank. I've been adding aqauforest bio s for past few weeks. Its only been about 3 weeks since I put in live rock. Ive got a few inverts that came on the rock. Whole colony of Christmas tree worms and few coral hermit crabs. I add some invert filter food once a day. I also added some live copepods as well. I also use natrual sea water. I Haven't done a water change yet as well either. My salinity is a bit high around 1.028_1.029

[@BulkReefSupply]

Leaving the filter socks in shouldn't be a problem. It's a great time to get in the routine of changing them out regularly. Try to get that salinity down just a touch to about 35 ppt (~1.026 specific gravity)

[@kerbytrinidad4582]

Hi. In follow up for my other account Chris T.comment, So i bought and dosed my 30 gallon tank with microbacter7 Saturday with a capful or 5ml. after a 45% water change. Ammonia is back to zero but nitrite is still high. Should i dose microbacter 7 only after or every water change or do i dose everyday for 2 weeks? Should i remove chemi pure media that's in my filter?

[@BulkReefSupply]

If your nitrite is high, the nitrifying bacteria will have a harder time reproducing and will do so more slowly. When you hear reefers say that their cycle has "stalled" this is usually what is going on. When possible, I'd much rather dose a smaller amount, but more frequently. Keep up with those water changes too. Just don't disturb the rock or sand while your tank is cycling as that's where all of that good bacteria will live.

[@robbinjohnson4181]

do you turn light off for fish if you have anemone

[@dewaynehess3314]

Is There a video about cycling with like nature’s ocean you buy from the store?

[@BulkReefSupply]

Most of the nitrifying bacteria that helps process ammonia lives on surfaces, so buying pre-mixed saltwater won't help a whole lot in that regard. You'll be better off starting with your own saltwater mix (which is less expensive) and adding in a bottle of bacteria like Biospira or MicroBacter7.

[@dewaynehess3314]

@@BulkReefSupply well I have 120 gallon aquarium plus the sump. I don’t pay for water my landlord does. I think he might be mad when he gets the water bill. Why I was going to get premix

[@fishstix1988]

So I plan on doing Dr. Tim's cycle. In terms of adding phytoplankton and copepods to the system, am I OK to add both of them once the cycle is complete, or wait until the tank's first ugly stage? Should i wait until I have fish in my system and when my refugium is setup t start adding them, or I can add the pods without having my refugium setup?

[@BulkReefSupply]

Assuming it's live phyto and pods, adding them right after the cycle can be beneficial as they both can act as a form of clean up crew.

[@Newt211]

So I am taking notes as a newbie - After the first cycle when you are ready to put in your first fish, do you add in the UV light, filter sponges/socks at this point? It sounds like you cycle the aquarium with the media carbon/chemi pure - leave out the filter floss. Then add filter floss and UV light when you are fish ready? Then you just go through a second cycle?

[@BulkReefSupply]

Adding in media or UV shouldn't cause a secondary cycle to occur. When most reefers refer to the cycle, they're referring to the tank's bacteria population's ability to process ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to nitrate. While a UV sterilizer will affect bacteria passing through it, the good news is that most of this good bacteria lives on the surfaces of rock and sand.

[@Newt211]

@@BulkReefSupply thanks!

[@filipinoguy627]

I have a quick question. I’ll be doing method #3 with the Tim’s solutions, but I am wondering, do I need live rock in the tank while doing this? Also, should I have the heater on as well?

[@BulkReefSupply]

You'll want to run your heaters as bacteria will reproduce more quickly at ~80 degrees vs room temperature. You can use live or dry rock, depending on what's available to you. Live rock will lead to a faster cycle, however.

[@travissmith2974]

Can you use a bacterial product and then every once in awhile had some fish food as your source of ammonia?

[@BulkReefSupply]

Absolutely. This is what most reefers would refer to as "ghost feeding" 🙂

[@christ.7591]

Hi. Thank you for this informative video. My FOWLR (2 clownfish and 1 coral beauty) tank is on the 25th day of cycling, ammonia and nitrite are still up and won't go down even though i did a 20% water change 2 days ago and 40% last night. What to do?

[@BulkReefSupply]

Since you have fish in this system, it's very important to get ammonia under control. Keep up with your weekly water changes and try adding in some BioSpira, MicroBacter7, or Dr. Tim's one and only for a boost in your tank's beneficial bacteria population.

[@christ.7591]

@@BulkReefSupply ok i will, now Nitrite is still high but ammonia is back to zero, so biospira and/plus microbacter 7? or just one of these is ok? And should i dose this microbacter7 before or after my weekly water change? Or should i dose the microbacter7 everyday?

[@christ.7591]

@Bulk Reef Supply - Saltwater Hi so ii dosed yesterday a capful of micobacter 7 and nitrite is still high but ammonia is back to zero. Do i dose microbacter 7 every water change only or everyday for 2 weeks? Do i remove the chemipure blue media in my filter?

[@Ben_Ben1218]

do you put the fish in when you put the turbo start in?

[@BulkReefSupply]

If you're going with the fish-in cycle method, then add your bacteria product to the tank first, then a hardy fish right after.

[@Ben_Ben1218]

Is it better todo fishless cycle with fritz turbo start or with fish with the fritz turbo start?

[@Sabertooth_54]

What’s that light on the tank in the bottom left of the room?

[@BulkReefSupply]

I think you're looking at the Maxspect Razor LED. Here's a link: www.bulkreefsupply.com/aquarium-lighting/aquarium-led-lighting/maxspect-led-aquarium-lighting.html

[@marioflores9450]

Can i do the shrimp method with the bacteria?

[@NGC-cz1nr]

That's what I'm wondering, too. Add the shrimp, wait for ammonia and then add the bacteria

[@joeburrus4934]

We’re u buy ur fish online looking

[@artfclintlgnce1977]

Fritz’s is called Fishless Fuel

[@kcp7846]

Bt doesn't algae consume ammonia, nitrite and nitrates? Wouldn't it be better to have algae to help with the cycle. I know that it's a eyesore but wouldn't it help just like in freshwater aquariums?

[@BulkReefSupply]

That's true that algae consumes ammonia, nitrates, and other potentially undesirable things in an aquarium. The problem is that it's hard to keep at bay in the display and is an eye sore, like you mentioned. This is why many reefers keep algae in the sump in a refugium or algae scrubber 🙂

[@MAVE_RlCK]

Can I use media from my freshwater tank to insta cycle?

[@BulkReefSupply]

Unfortunately, the type of bacteria that we're trying to harbor in our saltwater aquariums is different vs those in freshwater aquariums. If your goal is to cycle as quickly as possible, your best bet would be to grab some media from an established saltwater aquarium. Just be aware of any pests that the "donor" tank may have.

[@Coral-reef.]

6:42 SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHAT FISH IS THIS ????

[@grandreefer9570]

Filefish

[@brandonellis4422]

Maybe a stupid question, but can cycled freshwater media be moved to a saltwater tank to have an instant cycle?

[@BulkReefSupply]

Unfortunately not. The nitrifying bacteria in saltwater is different than what you'd find in freshwater, even though they do the same job.

[@lucasteeny8714]

Im at the nitrite stage and it decently high, how long should it take to lower?

[@bbybby91]

I’m cycling with fish, saltwater in a 55g tank, and I’m now at the end of my cycle, here’s my stats: Ammonia peaked on 05/30 came down to 0 and has been at 0 since 06/07 Nitrite started at peaked at over 5 on 05/30 it’s now dropping daily, yesterday was 1, this morning it was .50 It varies but generally about 10 days. A lot of people will see algae start to form near the end of the cycle, called the ugly phase, my tank has had algae for over a week but today the algae is going away. My tank was set up 22 days ago, I’ve been told numerous times that in saltwater nitrites are not near as toxic as they are in freshwater, I’ve had 3 fish survive the entire cycle.

[@lucasteeny8714]

@@bbybby91 i started the fishless cycle on my 15g nano tank at 5/27 and after about a week and a half the ammonia went up a lot and then now been at zero for a couple days, but the nitrates are at 5, its a little hard to tell using the api test kits, but im using marco rock and live sand, and so far no algae outbreak.

[@bbybby91]

@@lucasteeny8714 are you dosing with any live bacteria? I used a microbe-lift product, it’s beneficial bacteria in a bottle and it helps establish the good nitrifying bacteria. I used around 50lbs of dry rock and 55lbs of live sand. I say let it be for a week and then test again, and if you keep your lights off it reduces the risk of algae forming, lights are not needed when cycling, I had mine on tho because of giving my fish a nice day and night cycle to sleep and wake.

[@lucasteeny8714]

@@bbybby91 i put in more then enough bacteria to start with (Dr tims) and then a week ago I added a little more due to high ammonia so since in a week i havent added more, but a have a little left should i add it, and i turn my light for a minute once in awhile just to look at it, other then that its off.

[@lucasteeny8714]

I also have like 11-12 pounds of dry rock and a little less then 20 lbs of carib sea fiji pink sand.

[@couldbneone]

Throwing a live rock from the local fish shop would boost it as well

[@aliyah368]

How to get rid of diatoms

[@BulkReefSupply]

Is this a new system or established tank? In most cases, diatoms will show up in newer tanks during the "ugly stage" and will go away on their own with good regular maintenance.

[@Enorugger1]

Ammonia and ammonium chloride are different though. I don’t think there is a product called ammonia chloride You use both interchangeably which might confuse some people Idk that’s just my first thought for those that think it’s the same and don’t know the difference

[@edwindhanasekar4575]

When cycling salt water it is necessary to water change every week

[@maximus4everjay119]

Absolutely not.

[@ohwowcreate]

I heard otherwise....

[@JoshSmeda]

He talks about it in the vid. Don't do water changes...

[@kevinpieschke5005]

My ammonia and nitrites hit zero several weeks ago, but when I re-dose ammonia to check it 24 hours later my nitrites are still closer to 5 (ammonia is always 0). Should I continue to dose ammonia until my nitrites can handle it within a 24 hour period? Or am I good to go?

[@shawncavan8295]

That video from 12:46 secs, That store is from blue reef aquatics right??

[@TomRogan98]

Hell no

[@MondoMiami]

AmmoniuM chloride. Jeez!

[@Myfishchronicle]

So you basically don’t have your filter on

[@fishstix1988]

You mention Dr. Tim's in this episode, but in a future episode you use ceramic bio media balls which is something Dr. Tim is against. What is your stance on agreeing with Dr. Tim on his cycling process, but not using his advice for bio media?

[@hurricaneaquatics]

I haven't heard Tim disagree with the ceramic bio balls, but if he did say that, he's totally wrong. In my experience and opinion of over 25 years, the Marine Pure Ceramic Media is a MUST when using a cycling bacteria. I have two boxes of them in all of my tanks and they are incredible. That's the one major mistake people make when using a bottle bacteria. They don't have the ceramic media in the sump. Dry rock, Live Rock, etc just isn't enough because the water flows over the ceramic media all the time where it doesn't as much on the rock.

[@xisotopex]

if you really want to connect with your tank, a little bit of your urine is a good source of ammonia...

[@damianthompson8941]

Great video but why can't we just let the fish method of cycling die out. Just because it's a method that can work doesn't mean that we should keep teaching it. You can inject a rabbit with a woman's urine to test for pregnancy but we stopped teaching doctor's how to do that once we had a better method. We have several better methods to cycle these days so I think it's time to just stop mentioning that method when talking about cycling a tank. Just my 2¢ on the matter

[@BulkReefSupply]

I think we can agree that the biggest ethical issue with cycling an aquarium with a fish comes down to ammonia. In most cases, adding a single fish to an aquarium won't cause ammonia to rise to dangerous levels or even levels that would bother the fish. The more water volume, the less of an issue it is. That said, if you're working with a small water volume like a 10 gallon tank, fishless cycling is definitely the way to go.

[@josephposada1830]

Anything to make a buck LoL 🤣

[@austinmadethis.4071]

I have a question if you don’t mind , so I’ll be doing method 3 with the turbo start, so I setup my tank with the sand / saltwater / live rock and decorations add the turbo and add my clownfish and dorys right away? It won’t hurt the fish? Let’s be honest saltwater fish are $$ lmao thank you