Cycling

Started my very first tank this year (february '26). It has always been a dream to be able to join the saltwater hobby and after years of doubt I decided to go for it this year. The tank is far from mature after only running for about 7 months. The dry reef rock was leaking a lot and was a algea party for a long time. The tank is still pest free (that was the goal of the dryrock). I boosted the cycle with a litre of sand from a mature system which introduced copepods. This is a zero water change project. For questions, jump into the comments below! Happy reefing 🐟

Just started my 7 gallon all in one first reef tank! she is cycling

The tank is finally filled

Cant wait to start cycling 😅

Tank has been very cloudy during the day. It seems to clear up at night. Is this normal during the early stages?

We moved and I had to tear down and restart my 20 gallon AIO. It has cycled and I have added 10 soft corals. One of my Kenya trees and the Vargas cespitularia are now struggling. I need to check parameters again but this is what they were a few days ago. Here are a few pics of the tank as well. What do I do?

The 80L AIO Nano reef is cycled and ready to go! In the last week we added in the manual filter roller mat and the Jebao DLW-5 Wavemaker to help move that detritus out through the roller mat and skimmer. We have been just dusting off the rock work daily to help loosen it up as well.

Parameters, Our Ammonia and Nitrite has been at zero for 2 weeks now, our alkalinity is sitting at 7.3, the nitrate is sitting steady at 10ppm, and calcium is sitting a little lower at 370 which is fine for a no livestock tank.

The plan now is for a 20-25% water change, keep loosening the detritus from the rock and skimming it out. Dosing copepods and phytoplankton that we culture ourselves, and hopefully add in a pair of clowns in the next week or so! 🐠🪸

Tank is entering the ugly stage and has started getting air bubbles on the rock and some at the surface. Is this normal?

Love the reef. Attempting a 2 gallon anenome tank. Letting it cycle rn

Tank cycled, just add 2 clownfish and 3 coral’s. I am excited 😁

Hi ive just started my very own small tank its currently on day 3 of cycling ive used my partners live rock and ive dosed ammonia and fluval cycle bacteria numbers are already looking good ! So hopefully wont have to wait weeks

I feel like I am doing nothing right in any of my tanks. Is it because the tanks are only 4 months old?

Cycle was completed today on my e-170. Added in a bonded pair of Extreme Mocha Gladiator / DaVinci Clownfish and a Midas blenny. They are settling in well