Anyone Used Fluval Cycle?

[CCXGT]

I have 2 Bottles of Fluval Cycle just laying around and was wondering if anyone had used it to kick start a saltwater cycle?

 

I know it can be used for salt but I'm questioning whether it will be enough on its own.

 

I've previously cycled a 63G African Tank with the product and it took 20 days total.

[seabass]

I know it can be used for salt but I'm questioning whether it will be enough on its own.

I wouldn't consider any bacteria additive enough on its own to establish a working bio-filter for a fully stocked tank.

 

I assume that you are using dry rock. A bacteria additive and ammonia is a good way to establish a working bio-filter when using dry rock. However, it can still take several weeks to sufficiently build up the bacteria populations.

[CCXGT]

This is for a 10G.

 

I'll be using 7 pounds Dry Pukani and might pick some live pieces from LFS.

I'll also be using 20lb Live Aragonite Sand.

 

I'm assuming that the 'stick a raw prawn in' method will need to be applied here?

[seabass]

I'm assuming that the 'stick a raw prawn in' method will need to be applied here?

I'd rather use a clean source like DrTim's Ammonium: http://www.amazon.com/DrTims-Aquatics-Ammonium-chloride-Aquarium/dp/B006MP4QG6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415666654&sr=8-1&keywords=dr+tims+ammonium

 

I'd first build up the biofilter with the dry rock, then add the live rock to seed some life.

[hey]

I'd rather use a clean source like DrTim's Ammonium: http://www.amazon.com/DrTims-Aquatics-Ammonium-chloride-Aquarium/dp/B006MP4QG6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415666654&sr=8-1&keywords=dr+tims+ammonium

 

I'd first build up the biofilter with the dry rock, then add the live rock to seed some life.

 

Ace janitorial ammonia contains no surfactants aswell. I only throw this out there because I hate ordering stuff if I can just pick it up locally.

[CCXGT]

I'm in the UK, we don't have half the useful stuff you guys get.

[seabass]

Then you can use a dead shrimp. I just prefer to use a cleaner source that I can control the ammonia input, instead of polluting the water and encouraging bacteria that supports ammonification (versus just nitrification).

[CCXGT]

So I think I'll stick with the dead Shimp then.

 

Never done it before, I've read up quite a bit.

What I was planning was:

 

Step 1. Throw the shrimp in.

Step 2. Throw the Bottled Bacteria in.

Step 3. Keep the lights on the planned schedule (not too sure why I'd do this), keep all pumps on.

Step 4. Test for Ammonia until it reaches a high enough level and remove shrimp.

Step 5. Wait until the cycle passes and the bacteria bloom shows up.

Step 6. Add clean up crew.

Step 7. Add fish.

 

Anything wrong here?

[seabass]

Anything wrong here?

There really isn't only one right way to do it, but I'd:

1. Throw the Bottled Bacteria in.
2. Throw the shrimp in.
3. Keep the lights on the planned schedule off, keep all pumps on.
4. Test for Ammonia until it reaches a high enough level and remove shrimp.
5. Wait until the cycle passes and the bacteria bloom shows up ammonia becomes undetectable.
6. Do a large water change.
7. Add live rock.
8. Test for ammonia, and wait until it becomes undetectable again.
9. Do a large water change.
10. Add clean up crew, and put lights on their normal light schedule.
11. Wait a week.
12. Do a partial water change.
13. Add a hardy/non-aggressive fish.
14. Wait a week.
15. If ammonia is still undetectable, do another partial water change and add another fish.

[CCXGT]

I'll be using 99% dry rock, I want to use the least amount of live rock as possible.

I think I'll skip the 'add live rock and check ammonia' phase?

[CCXGT]

Soooooooo... UPDATE!

 

I'm gonna use pure Ammonia instead, I've been persuaded to do so by CyberAquarist himself.