
Today’s Cycling Techniques: 10 Questions That Guarantee a Better Cycle and Healthier Aquarium

Earn 234 Reward Points Earn 3,510 Reward Points
$234.00
Earn 1,175 Reward Points Earn 3,525 Reward Points
$235.00
Earn 1,550 Reward Points Earn 4,650 Reward Points
$310.00
Earn 545 Reward Points Earn 1,635 Reward Points
$109.99
Earn 119 Reward Points Earn 1,785 Reward Points
$119.99
Earn 32 Reward Points Earn 480 Reward Points
$32.99
Earn 169 Reward Points Earn 2,535 Reward Points
$169.99
Starting at: $4.00
Earn 20 Reward Points Earn 60 Reward Points

Earn 395 Reward Points Earn 1,185 Reward Points
$79.00
Earn 295 Reward Points Earn 885 Reward Points
$59.00
Earn 725 Reward Points Earn 2,175 Reward Points
$145.00
Earn 325 Reward Points Earn 975 Reward Points
$65.00
Earn 395 Reward Points Earn 1,185 Reward Points
$79.00
Earn 795 Reward Points Earn 2,385 Reward Points
$159.00
Earn 1,325 Reward Points Earn 3,975 Reward Points
$265.00
Starting at: $10.15
Earn 10 Reward Points Earn 150 Reward Points

Starting at: $19.99
Earn 19 Reward Points Earn 285 Reward Points

Earn 22 Reward Points Earn 330 Reward Points
$22.07
Earn 590 Reward Points Earn 1,770 Reward Points
$118.99
Earn 365 Reward Points Earn 1,095 Reward Points
$73.99
Earn 265 Reward Points Earn 795 Reward Points
$53.70
Earn 160 Reward Points Earn 480 Reward Points
$32.94
Earn 260 Reward Points Earn 780 Reward Points
$52.48
Earn 795 Reward Points Earn 2,385 Reward Points
$159.99
Earn 505 Reward Points Earn 1,515 Reward Points
$101.99
Earn 1,060 Reward Points Earn 3,180 Reward Points
$212.99
Earn 1,080 Reward Points Earn 3,240 Reward Points
$216.49
Earn 27 Reward Points Earn 405 Reward Points
$27.99
Starting at: $24.49
Earn 120 Reward Points Earn 360 Reward Points

Earn 38 Reward Points Earn 570 Reward Points
$38.99
Earn 1,110 Reward Points Earn 3,330 Reward Points
$222.99
Earn 815 Reward Points Earn 2,445 Reward Points
$163.99
Earn 100 Reward Points Earn 300 Reward Points
$20.99
Earn 1,995 Reward Points Earn 5,985 Reward Points
$399.99
Starting at: $13.00
Earn 65 Reward Points Earn 195 Reward Points

Starting at: $21.00
Earn 105 Reward Points Earn 315 Reward Points

Starting at: $10.00
Earn 50 Reward Points Earn 150 Reward Points

Starting at: $3.47
Earn 15 Reward Points Earn 45 Reward Points

Earn 165 Reward Points Earn 495 Reward Points
$33.29
Earn 220 Reward Points Earn 660 Reward Points
$44.00
Earn 110 Reward Points Earn 330 Reward Points
$22.00
Earn 110 Reward Points Earn 330 Reward Points
$22.00
Starting at: $14.46
Earn 70 Reward Points Earn 210 Reward Points

Earn 29 Reward Points Earn 435 Reward Points
$29.99
Starting at: $10.94
Earn 50 Reward Points Earn 150 Reward Points

Earn 1,645 Reward Points Earn 4,935 Reward Points
$329.99
Earn 1,645 Reward Points Earn 4,935 Reward Points
$329.99
Earn 1,645 Reward Points Earn 4,935 Reward Points
$329.99
Earn 1,645 Reward Points Earn 4,935 Reward Points
$329.99
Earn 63 Reward Points Earn 945 Reward Points
$63.99
Earn 37 Reward Points Earn 555 Reward Points
$37.99
Earn 15 Reward Points Earn 225 Reward Points
$15.99
Earn 1,115 Reward Points Earn 3,345 Reward Points
$223.99
Earn 39 Reward Points Earn 585 Reward Points
$39.99
Earn 39 Reward Points Earn 585 Reward Points
$39.99
Earn 6 Reward Points Earn 90 Reward Points
$6.99
Starting at: $98.29
Earn 490 Reward Points Earn 1,470 Reward Points

Earn 615 Reward Points Earn 1,845 Reward Points
$123.49
Earn 615 Reward Points Earn 1,845 Reward Points
$123.49
Earn 265 Reward Points Earn 795 Reward Points
$53.99
Earn 265 Reward Points Earn 795 Reward Points
$53.99
Starting at: $4.69
Earn 20 Reward Points Earn 60 Reward Points

Starting at: $18.89
Earn 90 Reward Points Earn 270 Reward Points

Starting at: $41.49
Earn 205 Reward Points Earn 615 Reward Points

Earn 105 Reward Points Earn 315 Reward Points
$21.02
Starting at: $7.59
Earn 35 Reward Points Earn 105 Reward Points

Earn 9 Reward Points Earn 135 Reward Points
$9.99
Earn 9 Reward Points Earn 135 Reward Points
$9.99
Earn 190 Reward Points Earn 570 Reward Points
$38.99Is The Cycle Only About Ammonia?
No, the aquarium cycle is certainly more complex than testing your ammonia. We are now, more than ever, beginning to understand what is happening during an aquarium cycle and all of the various ways we can master the process. While testing your ammonia is a rudimentary way to monitor the cycle, there is more to the picture. The diversity of bacteria and microbes and the ratio of nitrate and phosphate are both examples of modern developments to way we understand cycling an aquarium.
How Do I Get Coralline Algae To Grow?
Coralline algae must be introduced into your aquarium and will help to reduce the growth of nuisance algae by taking up real estate on your tank's surfaces. Coralline algae require stable alkalinity and calcium levels in the tank and will thrive under lower lighting levels. You can add Coralline Algae in a bottle or simply add frag plugs/snail shells from another tank that have live coralline algae on them. It's pretty easy to seed the tank, the trickier part is keeping your chemistry stable and promoting Coralline over other nuisance algae.
What's The Most Common Way To Ruin Your Cycle?
Turning your lights ON during the cycle is the #1 way to instigate nuisance algae and promote photosynthetic pests like dinoflagellates. Keep your lights OFF during the cycle.
Does Acclimation Mode Actually Help Prevent Pests?
Acclimation mode is a popular setting on modern LED lights that will automatically gradually ramp-up your light's output over a 2-4 week timeframe. This does indeed help curb nuisance algae growth and we recommend that you spread that out even longer, extending the acclimation time to 4 - 8 weeks or more.
What Are These Spots?
There is a variety of different algae and photosynthetic pests that will grow in your new aquarium. 99% of the time there is nothing you need to do as these things are perfectly normal and will resolve themselves. Don't get caught up with the ugly phase, you just have to wait it out.
What If I Hate The Ugly Phase?
If you really want to reduce the effects of the ugly phase, use dyed or colored rock instead of natural dry rock. The purple and pink man-made rocks look better and will look much better as your tank progresses through the ugly phase.
Should I Cycle My Rock First?
If you are using dry rock, you do not need to cycle the rock first. Just build your scape and cycle the rock directly in your display aquarium. If you're using LIVE rock, only then should you cycle the rock in a separate container before placing it into your display aquarium.
How Do I Add Biome To The Tank?
Biome is a comprehensive word that refers to the ALL of the life inside your tank which includes the tiny beneficial microorganisms, microbes, and bacteria that help sustain the aquarium. During the cycle, we are establishing this biome. Using Ocean Direct live sand or live mud products like Aquaforest Life Source is one of our favorite approaches to adding a diverse biome to the tank. Bacteria additives as well as introducing sand or rubble rock from an established aquarium are also effective ways to introduce biological diversity.
Do Bacteria Additives Contain ALL The Biome My Tank Needs?
As mentioned above, there really is a variety of different approaches to creating a diverse biome in your new aquarium. The BRStv Investigates team is currently testing a variety of common bacteria supplements like Brightwell Aquatics MicroBacter 7 and Dr. Tim's One & Only to find out just how well they work in terms of creating a diverse biome. While we don't have a definitive answer yet, stay tuned because we hope to develop a better understanding of how these bacteria supplements work to help cycle our aquariums.
What Is The Best Way To Cycle?
This is the golden question and the answer will change depending on who you ask. Based on our experience here at BRS, we find that slowly ramping up your light output really helps curb the nuisance algae and ultimately reduce the effects of the ugly phase. Start the cycle with NO light for the first four weeks, run low output light for the second month, and finally increase to your desired output level during the third month.
Categories
BRStv Series
- Aquarium Gear for Beginners
- Beginner's Guide
- BRStv Answers
- BRStv Investigates
- BRStv Problem Solvers
- BRS/WWC Hybrid Method
- Buyer's Guide
- Fish Health
- Master Nutrients: Nitrate, Phosphate and Reef Aquariums
- Neptune Systems Apex Guide
- Product Spotlight & Reviews
- Setup Guide
- Tank Builds
- Tank Profiles & Tours
- Top FAQs
- Top Reefing Mistakes
- Top 10 Tips
- 5 Minute Saltwater Aquarium Guide
Guides & How-Tos
- Additives & Water Chemistry
- Aquarium Controllers
- ATO - Auto Top Off
- Bacteria & Cycling
- BRS Bulk Pharma Additives
- Calcium Reactors
- Coral Propagation & Fragging
- Dosing Pumps
- Filtration & Media
- Fish & Coral Foods
- Heaters & Chillers
- Lighting
- Livestock
- Maintenance
- Plumbing
- Pumps & Water Flow
- Protein Skimmers
- Refugiums
- Reverse Osmosis
- Rock & Sand
- Salt Mix
- Tanks & Sumps
- Test Kits
Charts & Diagrams
Calculators
Problem Solving
Instructions