| Many new reef aquarium keepers are usually familiar | | | | process, or if you can get a scoop of sand from a |
| with aquariums and may have kept freshwater tanks | | | | seasoned reef tank or a piece of live rock. Both of |
| in the past. Mini reef systems like freshwater tanks | | | | these will already have the nitrifying bacteria on them |
| need to cycle in order to maintain fish. But the cycles | | | | and will jump start the process. |
| and what happens are totally different, this article will | | | | Algae Blooms When Cycling Reef Aquarium |
| help explain what to expect cycling reef aquariums. | | | | No one really mentions this much but you will have to |
| Ammonia And Nitrite Spike | | | | expect some algae blooms when cycling reef |
| Like freshwater tanks the first thing that will happen | | | | aquariums. This is because as the system stabilizes |
| in your tank is there will be a ammonia spike. This | | | | many chemical and physical shifts are occurring. This |
| ammonia is the by product if decaying fish waste or | | | | will normally result in brown slime algae on the sand |
| food. Within the tank bacteria will grow that will feed | | | | bed and rocks of your tank. The best thing to do is |
| on this ammonia and convert it to nitrite. The nitrite | | | | remove it by hand or let it be. Once the tank |
| will then be converted to harmless free nitrogen. | | | | reaches equilibrium the algae will vanish faster then it |
| Both ammonia and nitrite can kill fish and coral so it is | | | | appeared, that is of course assuming your tank is set |
| wise to not have any tank inhabitants in your system | | | | up properly. |
| while this is going on. However many reef keepers | | | | The cycle of a mini reef systems can take a week |
| often use damsel fish to cycle their tanks. While this | | | | two for the ammonia and nitrite parts but can often |
| does work it will be hard to get these fish out if you | | | | take six months for a new tank to reach equilibrium. |
| do not want them in your tank after the cycle, plus | | | | The key during this time is to add livestock slowly |
| its just plain inhumane. | | | | and maintain good tank maintenance and you will |
| Instead a pinch of fish food can help speed up the | | | | have a gorgeous reef tank you can be proud of. |