How to Start an Aquarium the Correct Way

How to Cycle a Freshwater Aquarium

• Prepare the tank with dechlorinated water: Fill the tank with tap water, and immediately dose Seachem Prime at 2 drops per 4 litres (or 5 mL per 200 litres) to neutralize chlorine, chloramine, and ammonia.

• Add plants, ornaments, and decorations: It’s perfectly fine to add live plants, ornaments, and decorations to your tank while cycling. Plants, in particular, can help absorb some ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates, promoting a healthier environment as the cycle progresses.

• Add Seachem Stability: On the first day, dose Seachem Stability at 5 mL per 40 litres to introduce beneficial bacteria that help break down ammonia and nitrites.

• Add an ammonia source (Aqua Pics Cycle Right):

To kickstart the nitrogen cycle, use Aqua Pics Cycle Right as the ammonia source to feed Seachem Stability.

• Add 1ml per 10L of tank water then test ammonia levels.
  a) If between 1 & 2ppm, wait 4 days.
  b) If below 1ppm, add more Cycle-Right & test again. (1ml per 20 litres of water increases ammonia by 0.25 to 0.5ppm.) Repeat until ammonia level in your tank is between 1 & 2ppm. Wait 4 days.
  On day 5, test ammonia levels & top up as described above - only if required.
• This will provide the necessary "food" for the bacteria introduced with Seachem Stability to grow and establish.

• Run the filter and heater: Ensure the filter and heater are running continuously to provide the ideal environment for bacteria colonization and promote stable water conditions.

• Daily Seachem Stability doses: For a minimum of 7 days, dose Seachem Stability at 5 mL per 40 litres daily to build up a strong bacterial population.

• Monitor water parameters:
• Use a water test kit to regularly check levels of ammonia (NH3/NH4+), nitrite (NO2-), and nitrate (NO3-).

• During the cycling process, ammonia will rise first as waste from fish / plants (if present) or added ammonia (Cycle Right) breaks down. Next, nitrites will spike as beneficial bacteria begin converting ammonia to nitrite. Finally, nitrates will form as a result of nitrite conversion by the bacterial colonies.
• A fully cycled tank will have 0 ppm ammonia, 0 ppm nitrite, and measurable levels of nitrate (usually below 20 ppm is safe for most fish).
• Cycling can take 4 to 6 weeks depending on tank conditions, so continue monitoring regularly.

Note:
If a tank isn’t cycled properly, high levels of ammonia and nitrites can accumulate, causing what’s known as "new tank syndrome." This can lead to ammonia poisoning, which burns the fish’s gills, and nitrite poisoning, which interferes with the fish’s ability to absorb oxygen. These conditions can cause severe stress, illness, and potentially death in fish immediately or days, weeks later. Proper cycling ensures a healthy environment, minimizing stress and promoting longevity for your fish.

 

How to Cycle a Marine Aquarium

• Prepare the tank with saltwater: Fill the tank with RO/DI water (reverse osmosis/deionized water) mixed with a quality marine salt to the appropriate salinity level (1.023 to 1.025 specific gravity). If using Natural Sea Water fill the tank completely with Salt Water only at 1.023 to 1.025 specific gravity.

• Run the filtration system, heater and add sump media: Ensure your filtration system, including any protein skimmers, pumps, or powerheads, are running continuously to circulate water, promote oxygen exchange, and support bacterial growth. (Protein skimmers should be run in with the cup off or drain tap open pouring all skimmed water back into the sump during cycling process). Set the heater to maintain a stable temperature between 24°C - 26°C for optimal bacteria growth.

Add in either Maxspect Nano Spheres / Blocks to the tank or better yet add in some Pre-Cycled Marine Marine-Pure Media Spheres to the tank.

From here we can cycle a marine tank in 2 different steps: “Live Rock Cycling” or “Dead Rock Cycling”

“Dead Rock Cycling”

• Add base rock, sand, and decorations: Add base rock and sand to the tank. These provide natural surfaces for beneficial bacteria to colonize, which will aid in the cycling process.

• Add beneficial bacteria (Continuum Bacter Gen M): Dose Continuum Bacter Gen M at 5 mL per 100 litres to start populating the tank with beneficial marine bacteria. Continue adding Continuum Bacter Gen M every day for a minimum of 14 days to establish a strong bacterial foundation.

• Add an ammonia source (Aqua Pics Cycle Right): To kickstart the nitrogen cycle, use Aqua Pics Cycle Right. This will provide the necessary "food" for the bacteria introduced with Continuum Bacter Gen M to grow and establish.

• Add 1ml per 10L of tank water then test ammonia levels & then:
  a) If between 1 & 2ppm, wait 4 days.
  b) If below 1ppm, add more Cycle-Right & test again. (1ml per 20 litres of water increases ammonia by 0.25 to 0.5ppm.) Repeat until ammonia level in your tank is between 1 & 2ppm. Wait 4 days.
  On day 5, test ammonia levels & top up as described above - only if required.

“Live Rock Cycling”

• Add live rock and or live sand to the tank: These products come pre-loaded with beneficial bacteria to help colonize the tank. Die-off from bacteria will also cause ammonia to be produced meaning no additional Ammonia Source (Cycle-Right) is needed during cycling.

• Add beneficial bacteria (Continuum Bacter Gen M): Dose Continuum Bacter Gen M at 5 mL per 100 litres to start populating the tank with beneficial marine bacteria. Continue adding Continuum Bacter Gen M every day for a minimum of 14 days to establish a strong bacterial foundation.

“After the above steps are underway, monitoring for when an aquarium finishes cycling is next”

7. Monitor water parameters:

• Test the water regularly using a marine test kit to check for levels of ammonia (NH3/NH4+), nitrite (NO2-), nitrate (NO3-) & Salinity.
• During the cycle, you should see a spike in ammonia, followed by a rise in nitrites, and then the appearance of nitrates.
• A fully cycled marine aquarium will have 0 ppm ammonia, 0 ppm nitrite, and a measurable level of nitrates (aim for below 10 ppm).
• Please keep salinity between 1.024 1.026 Specific Gravity during the cycling phase.
• Marine tanks may take 4 to 8 weeks to fully cycle, depending on the live rock, sand, and bacterial activity, so patience and regular testing are key.

Note:
If a tank isn’t cycled properly, high levels of ammonia and nitrites can accumulate, causing what’s known as "new tank syndrome." This can lead to ammonia poisoning, which burns the fish’s gills, and nitrite poisoning, which interferes with the fish’s ability to absorb oxygen. These conditions can cause severe stress, illness, and potentially death in fish immediately or days, weeks later. Proper cycling ensures a healthy environment, minimizing stress and promoting longevity for your fish.