coral tank cycling tips

[Mango]

Just set up a new 40-gallon tank and added live rock. How long should I wait before adding my first coral? I'm using a protein skimmer and keeping salinity at 1.025. Temp is steady at 78F.

[flowrate]

You'll wanna wait until ammonia and nitrite hit zero, nitrate under 10ppm. Test daily, might take 4-6 weeks. What's your lighting setup? Softies like Zoanthids can handle early stages better than SPS.

[lulabite]

Yep, patience is key. My first tank crashed 'cause I rushed it. Used Fritz TurboStart last time, cycled in 2 weeks. Sketchy but worked.

[forestfox]

You'll wanna wait until ammonia and nitrite hit zero, nitrate under 10ppm. Test daily, might take 4-6 weeks. What's your lighting setup? Softies like Zoanthids can handle early stages better than SPS.

Agreed on testing. Also, check alkalinity—stable 8-9dKH helps. What salt mix are you using? Some have extra trace elements for coral.

[reeleech]

Ditched my canister filter for a sump, way better flow. Corals perked up after. Maybe look into that post-cycle.

[olivine]

Bruh, my tank's still cycling too. Using Dr. Tim's, gonna test tonight. Keep us posted, yeah?

[deep_wave]

Cycling time varies. Bacteria strains matter. Used Bio-Spira once, faster than expected.

[Mango]

Thanks, all! Got an AI Prime light, Red Sea Coral Pro salt. I'll hold off till params stabilize.

[flowrate]

Thanks, all! Got an AI Prime light, Red Sea Coral Pro salt. I'll hold off till params stabilize.

Solid choices. Prime's good for softies/LPS. Dial it to 50% intensity at first, ramp up over weeks to avoid shocking them.

[lulabite]

Forgot to say—dose bacteria weekly during cycle. I use MicroBacter7, keeps things steady.