Tank Cycle????

[ThatReefGuy718]

Hey guys what is the best way to cycle my 13.5 fluval evo??? I am using live rock and live sand and temporally using the filter it comes with until I can get the in tank media basket. This is my very first reef tank I have had saltwater Nano tanks before but never actually set up and maintained a reef aquaurium.

[Clown79]

If its liverock it will cycle on it's own. No need to add food nor ammonia dosing. 

 

If its cured liverock, you may get no cycle.

[ThatReefGuy718]

sorry new to this so if I get no cycle is that bad or good and what does that mean and how will I no by testing the waters I am assuming??

[ReefGoat]

You should really familiarize yourself with the nitrogen cycle if you're going to Reef. This link should help you understand it better. Please read 

 

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-microbiology-of-reef-tank-cycling.214618/

[ThatReefGuy718]

Great thank you I am reading now I haven't set up the tank yet so im trying to understand everything before I do 

[Clown79]

Liverock that is cured has the biological bacteria already established therefore no cycle will occur unless you leave the rock out to dry which will cause the good bacteria to die.

This is the best rock one can buy.

 

Regular liverock tends to be dirty, has material on it decaying and will go through a cycle but needs nothing added to cycle. The organic material within it will start the cycle on it own.

 

Dry rock has nothing/very little on it to start a cycle so you need to add ammonia to start the cycle.

 

Ammonia converts to nitrite, which converts to nitrate= nitrogen cycle

 

You will need to test ammonia and nitrate.