how long to cycle tank with dead rock

billblue

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How long to cycle 14gallon biocube with all dead rock.how long does coraline algae take to grow.also how long till the rock is alive.thankyou
 

bullysam

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U can try adding Dr Tim's One & Only live nitrifying bacteria or a different type of starter bacteria and check your water parameters like Ammonia, Nitrate, Nitrite
 

KoleTang

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+1 on Dr. Tim's.

My tank cycled in two days with Dr. Tim's and a Chromis. And yes I use all dry rock and dry sand. Make sure you use a fish, not the fishless cycle. I tried that once and it lasted two weeks.

For algae to grow, you need to introduce it to the tank. This can be done with a piece of live rock from a tank that you trust to be mostly pest free. Algae did not start growing in my tank until I added some coral frags that had some green micro algae on the frag plugs.

It will take a good 2-3 months for the dry rock to look like live rock.
 

fyrfytr

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So many things I have been reading on various forums and websites advise against using the bottle/chemical cycle and to use the shrimp method to let the tank more naturally cycle
 

KoleTang

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So many things I have been reading on various forums and websites advise against using the bottle/chemical cycle and to use the shrimp method to let the tank more naturally cycle

It is as natural as it gets. It's all reef bacteria... from reefs. ;)

Why would you want to watch a shrimp rot over 1 month+ rather than using a quicker, better method?


Watch this video: Bacteria in a Bottle: Snake Oil or Worth Trusting?
 
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billblue

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Also....i have a tds meter what should it read exactly.that is my my simple ?????.also is is just a salt reading"?if u could explain in beginner salt water keeper terms it would be greatly appreciated.im ridiculously. Smart so ......no small words needed but treat me as a newb.please and thank much.look forward to your info/input
 

KoleTang

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A TDS meter is used to measure plain freshwater BEFORE you add salt. You want a TDS of 0.

The best way to measure how much salt is to use a Refractometer.
 

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