?.....cycling of my brackish tank....?

[phishead]

Greetings,

Well, after a week of" Slow salt adding", I've got the SG where I want it. BTW , I added the salt slowly because I've read one does'nt want to kill off the orginal freshwater bacteria too quickly.

Now what is the procedure for cycling a brackish tank prior to adding critters?? Is it the same as what I read in the Marine Newbie "sticky"? I'm a little leary of adding the cocktail shrimp (I think my wife would freak if my new hobby stunk up the house...)

Also, What test kit do you use for brackish- fresh or marine?? I've got my freshie testing kit ,so, it would be kinda nice not to have to buy a new one.....

Thanks for now.......

phish

 

[cdawson]

You use SW test kits, and cylce the tank you would any tank. with a fishless cycle using pure ammonia.

 

[Pufferpunk]

Any benificial bacteria you had in that tank has died off if you don't have any fish to feed it with their wastes. Fishless cycle your tank at whatever SG the fish are at in the store you plan on purchasing them from.

Please read: http://www.aaquaria.com/aquasource/cyclingbasics.shtml

http://faq.thekrib.com/begin-cycling.html

http://www.tropicalfishcentre.co.uk/Fishlesscycle.htm

 

[phishead]

Thanks folks for the help..........

Hey PP, great links yah gave there.....very informative!!!

I know you said to use a saltwater test kit, but I'd really, for now , like to use up my freshie kit... could I test for ammonia/nitrites/nitraates with that kit???

phish

 

[Pufferpunk]

FW ammonia test won't work for BW. The rest should. Of course, I'm referring to the kind I have (don't know about others), Aquarium Pharmecuticals.