Stupid reef question

Cory Keeper

Cory Keeper

LED Guru of Aquaria Central
Aug 7, 2007
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On my quest for SW knowledge I am ever endevering to learn more about SW ecology and principles.

But I'm confused on something

The cycle in a SW system

Last I knew when you added LR, that started your cycle, and everything progressed just like in a FW tank.

So why is someone on the forum saying this?

Cycling with 'junk fish' like Zebra Danios is less hands on and simplier for beginners. The allegory on the salt water side is half a dozen damsels to cycle the tank and be done with it, which has been the standard for decades.
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Who is correct, and is this REALLY the standard? (I'm thinking no)

btw, what is a damsel?
 
damsels can be used to cycle a tank because they are cheap and hardy fish. They are also a pain in the *** to get out of the tank after the cycle and usually you don't want to keep them because they are evil and mean. (Yes, this makes me angry because I have a blue damsel and he tortures my other fish)

Cycling with LR is a lot better. I wish I had done that instead of damsels.
 
Damsels are fish that seem to take the abuse of bad water better than some finicky fish. They are cheap, and somewhat aggressive/playfull.

Very bright colors and great personality.

Establishing the bacteria needed for converting the waste, byproducts and organinc matter can be acheived different ways. Some use the damsel to kick things off, many disagree with the practice and there are kinder ways to get the same results to establish the bacteria.
 
The statement quoted is indeed accurate in saying that fish cycles have been the standard for many years. However, it neglects to mention that the trend is much more favorably leaned towards the more humane form of fishless cycling these days. In my opinion anyone that recommends fish cycling over fishless cyling these days is quoting dated information or going by experience that hasn't had the benefit of recent research.
 
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Grins said:
The statement quoted is indeed accurate in saying that fish cycles have been the standard for many years. However, it neglects to mention that the trend is much more favorably leaned towards the more humane form of fishless cycling these days. In my opinion anyone that recommends fish cycling over fishless cyling these days is quoting dted information or going by experience that hasn't had the benefit of recent research.
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agreed. and there are no stupid questions only stupid answers:grinyes:
 
umm i had a rough ride from cycling with deadish live rock, still in the curing process and a small shrimp, turned out i really didnt need the shrimp after all, the live rock depending on how dead it is can really kick start the cycle process with all the dead crap on it.
 
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