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coral tank cycling tips
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2025 2:14 am
by 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.
Re: coral tank cycling tips
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2025 4:12 am
by 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.
Re: coral tank cycling tips
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2025 5:23 am
by 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.
Re: coral tank cycling tips
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2025 6:33 am
by forestfox
flowrate wrote: ↑Sun Apr 27, 2025 4:12 am
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.
Re: coral tank cycling tips
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2025 6:39 am
by reeleech
Ditched my canister filter for a sump, way better flow. Corals perked up after. Maybe look into that post-cycle.
Re: coral tank cycling tips
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2025 7:17 am
by olivine
Bruh, my tank's still cycling too. Using Dr. Tim's, gonna test tonight. Keep us posted, yeah?
Re: coral tank cycling tips
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2025 7:58 am
by deep_wave
Cycling time varies. Bacteria strains matter. Used Bio-Spira once, faster than expected.
Re: coral tank cycling tips
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2025 9:07 am
by Mango
Thanks, all! Got an AI Prime light, Red Sea Coral Pro salt. I'll hold off till params stabilize.
Re: coral tank cycling tips
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2025 11:00 am
by flowrate
Mango wrote: ↑Sun Apr 27, 2025 9:07 am
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.
Re: coral tank cycling tips
Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2025 12:32 pm
by lulabite
Forgot to say—dose bacteria weekly during cycle. I use MicroBacter7, keeps things steady.