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Cycling a Tank is the process of balancing the biological load within an aquarium. Fish and other animals produce wastes. Some of these wastes can accumulate to toxic levels within an aquarium, and can cause the death of some or all of the critters in a tank! I cycled my tank the old fashioned way, with cheap Damselfish. Damsels are hardy, inexpensive fish. They are territorial, and can become quite bossy with other fish in your tank. Expect most, if not all of them to die within a week, as the ammonia levels in the tank reach a toxic level. This method is generally not used anymore by most hobbyists. The more accepted method these days in a saltwater marine tank is to cycle with Live Rock. Live Rock is very porous rock taken from a reef. It is called live rock because of the diversity of life that can be found on it, as well as inside it. From the nitrifying bacteria required to remove ammonia to worms and tiny shrimp-like creatures, cured live rock can balance a tank rather quickly, and with minimal fish die-off. With properly cycled live rock in place, you can immediately add fish to the system. Of course, you will want to add fish and other animals to the tank S-L-O-W-L-Y. One word that you need to learn and know in this hobby is PATIENCE. Good things will come in time... don't rush it! |
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