How To: Start and Cycle an Aquarium Saltwater Reef Tank Correctly and Freshwater

ADVERTISING

LuxoGear Emergency Whistles with Lanyard

Shop now »

NOCO Genius GEN5X2, 2-Bank, 10A (5A/Bank) Smart Marine Battery Charger

Shop now »

RHINO USA Boat Trailer Transom Straps (2PK)

Shop now »

LUCKY Kayak Portable Fish Depth Finder

Shop now »

Seaview 180 V3 Full Face Snorkel Mask

Shop now »

Most popular comments
for How To: Start and Cycle an Aquarium Saltwater Reef Tank Correctly and Freshwater

Live comments
Comments on YouTube

MAD DOGZ TV - 8 years ago

wow you make it sound like your going to the moon its just a saltwater tank mate now i see why people think having a salt water tank is hard lmfao

PazzaludaVlog - 8 years ago

i use water from the sea

GoLeafs03 - 8 years ago

at first ur voice was annoying but as it went you gave very good info so respect haha

CaffeinatedCactus - 8 years ago

how much live rock do you keep in your tank?

Zakri Rahman - 9 years ago

i just fell in love with marine tanks and i think your channel is the best. in fact, your channel is the only channel that i sucbscibed to. Im just a newbie in this hobby. i still dont buy any tank. just learning as much as possible before buying my first tanks. So, thank you sir.

Wayne's Fish World - 8 years ago

+Zakri Rahman thanks man i appreciate that a lot, i am making a new series this year called my first aquarium, check the first episode out on my channel, it might help you

Carb Acoustic - 9 years ago

So no live rock if you want live Corlal <-- a total noob but I am not even going to look at a tank purchase until I have everything pre planned.

The Reef Rookie - 9 years ago

Hey Wayne, I've been watching your videos, and enjoy them. I just subscribed to your channel. I have some videos if you want to check them out. I plan on adding some product reviews and tank updates as my tank gets more established.

ketan rangari - 9 years ago

sir i like your video a lot ...... its amazing ......... and i need your help sir ...... my friend is have no idea about fish keeping ...... brought a new tetraodon fluviatilis ( green puffer fish ), brackish water specie ......... he approached me after 1 weeks saying that is not eating a thing ......... its probably like the tank is not properly cycled and the fish is way too much stressed out ........ i feel like pity for the fish ..........

i want to save that poor little fish ........ and i have decided to set it free into the nature ........ but the thing is like i don't have a sea near by , its like 180 km away in mumbai ....... but i do have is a river in my city ........ can i put that puffer in the river ...... will it be able to swim to the brackish water region ......... or should i go all the way to mumbai to put the fish in brackish water area ..... please sir help me out

i cant give back fish to the fish store because it will be eventually end up with some one other amateur person ........

please help me sir ....... thanks a lot

Sam Wallis - 9 years ago

like video, ji had a few problems with high nitrite level The nitrite -> nitrate bit in cycling a tank is aerobic (uses 02) 2 oxygens is nitrite (NO2) and 3 nitrate (NO3), i placed an airstone under the filter and there was a lot less nitrite in the tank to anyone with high nitrite :)

10. comment for How To: Start and Cycle an Aquarium Saltwater Reef Tank Correctly and Freshwater

Andrew N Taveras - 9 years ago

why did i cycle it and acclimate it and the fish was on the sand and then it died

Oranda Gold - 9 years ago

Help on Freshwater tank cycling!!! I'm on the third day of ammonia cycling. I'm using pure ammonia ( no soap, no surfactants). The temp in the tank is 80 F. I've also added seachem stability to improve the cycling speed. However, there is no change at this point, ammonia 2, nitrite 0 and nitrate 0. Can experts comment on this situation and let me know when should I expect the ammonia to drop?! Your support is much appreciated.

Buddy Sheroka - 9 years ago

Cycling your tank and knowing how that process works is very important this is a great video I have some really good videos on the same topic I hope everybody gets education you need out of these videos and also remember to do your own research that's very important keep up the good vids happy reefing

CartoonsZ Channel - 9 years ago

can you write tank dimensions? Thanks good luck :)

starwind aquariums - 10 years ago

Geez im working with a 20 gallon lol but how many fish plus snails and crabs should be inside

Marc Harris - 10 years ago

My tank has cycled for 2 weeks ammonia is low nitrite .6 nitrate 20 are these safe levels to add fish or some shrimp or snails?

786free1 - 10 years ago

Nice video, thanks.
Can I cycle an empty tank with just fish food? Would I also need to keep the filter on even if there's no livestock?

ab1397100 - 10 years ago

if my api meaurments are good and the water is clear can i add fish or noy yet

Darryl Sawyer - 10 years ago

Biggest clown is always female.

PacketMonger - 10 years ago

You are an idiot.

20. comment for How To: Start and Cycle an Aquarium Saltwater Reef Tank Correctly and Freshwater

Eli Lawrence - 10 years ago

can you make a list of the equipment you used in your tank

bigvdrop - 10 years ago

Is there a freshwater creature that eats ich to some degree like that shrimp you have?

laura sutton - 10 years ago

I have a uv in my freshwater love it. I want a salt for a lion fish. Do u have any advice with them. Yes I am aware they r poisonous & will eat most fish.

FishTankArmy - 10 years ago

Screw my last comment lol. I'm converting my planted 15 gallon to a full blown reef tomorrow. Won't be adding fish until after Christmas even if my system is cycled...

Cichlidman14 - 10 years ago

Hey Wayne, do you need a refugium? I have a empty 29 that I'm thinking about turning into a reef tank. Has lights and a HOB Emperor 200 on it. Does that sound good?

Micah Morton - 10 years ago

.....Some nudibranchs get sucked into power heads.....

FishTankArmy - 11 years ago

I'm starting a 10 gallon FOWLR tank after Christmas. Is it fine to use tap water that's been through a carbon filter for around 24 hours and has been de-chlorinated? I will get an RO unit when I finally decide to turn it in to a reef. And would it be enough space for an Ocellaris Clownfish and maybe a Goby of some sort?

Wayne's Fish World - 11 years ago

if you have media from a already existing tank like a buddy's or one of your other tanks place the media/rock/sand in there

Lee Slaymaker - 11 years ago

i have just started a very small 8 liter desk top nano and have added the live rock there is lots of growth on it but is there anything i could do to help it out?

Wayne's Fish World - 11 years ago

not really the live rock and sand is over 5 years old in the video

30. comment for How To: Start and Cycle an Aquarium Saltwater Reef Tank Correctly and Freshwater

pim1234 - 11 years ago

You are in the start up phase and already have fish in it ? Strange ...

Wayne's Fish World - 11 years ago

thanks that would be bad ass

REEMIKS - 11 years ago

Beautiful tank I want my 43 gallon soon to be cichlid to look like this

Wayne's Fish World - 11 years ago

oh boy, no offense but with that question (there is no dumb question) but i would do a lot lot lot of research before jumping into it, but you would need to start over you should use rodi water,

Wayne's Fish World - 11 years ago

please send me a personal message so i remember that one

Bailey Armstrong - 11 years ago

can you please do a video on what fish go together wit what anemones and what lights to go with them

Bailey Armstrong - 11 years ago

hey man, can you please do a video on what fish go together with what anatomy's and the best lighting for them thank you keep going with the videos.

Wayne's Fish World - 11 years ago

wow that is very cool I envy that lol

joe3gi - 11 years ago

Just started my 55 Gal 2 wweks ago and i'm digging the Aquascapping u got going on there. I might have to do some more snorkeling and find some nice rocks/coral...I live on the beautiful island of Okinawa, Japan....I don't think there is much polution here at all...everything is still old school and natural in all aspects!!

Wayne's Fish World - 11 years ago

idk man every tank is different the only thing you can do is test your water,either buy a salt water test kits or get the lfs to test it for you you need to have your ammonia nitrite and nitrates closest to zero as possible

Feroz Reef - 11 years ago

dude i gotta my new tank 6 gallon 8 days back..plus i got live sand and live rock and these two were already in another tank with fishes in fish shop... so can you plz tell me how long ill it take to cycle? thank you so much

Wayne's Fish World - 11 years ago

thats cool i live beside a few beaches too not the ocean though, you gotta make sure you know what kind of sand it is if it has silcates....you will screw yourself over haha i learned the hard way, the water near you is probably polluted a bit, i mean......try it if you want but i wouldn't do it

TheImpundulu - 11 years ago

I live by the beach, if i were to go take all my water from the sea and maybe a couple pounds of sand would I still need to cycle? I'm not gonna rush it, dont worry.

Eden - 11 years ago

Nice :D I'll be sure to check them out!

Wayne's Fish World - 11 years ago

why thank you i've got a video or two coming up soon

Eden - 11 years ago

Wow. I love your tank!

Wayne's Fish World - 11 years ago

bahahahha oh dear god thats funny you need to make that into a meme or something lmao

Wayne's Fish World - 11 years ago

well the best way is to get rodi water and mix it with a pump for 24 hours have it mixing in like a 32 or 55 etc gallon trash can heat it to the proper temp put it in the tank

foxngn - 11 years ago

what is the proper way to prepare the water in the tank ? I heard it was to be mix about 30% of water with salt, stir it & pour into the tank, do it portion by portion until the end, after that only cycle start? Sorry, new on this saltwater.

Wayne's Fish World - 11 years ago

because i preach this all the time, you need to know the temperament and the personality of your fish, every fish IS different. i introduced clowns that are smaller then my maroon that way they are not a threat, i call this the gorilla method, and i will make a video on it

50. comment for How To: Start and Cycle an Aquarium Saltwater Reef Tank Correctly and Freshwater

Wayne's Fish World - 11 years ago

it will start automatically you just have to add some time of organic material

Howard Gates - 11 years ago

how do you start or trigger the cycle

Josh Lombardo - 11 years ago

You did a very nice job explaining the nitrogen cycle. Better then some of the more well known channels on youtube

michael adkins - 11 years ago

Thank you so much! lol

Patrick's Aquatics - 11 years ago

i just got my 55 gallon set up today. excited to get it goin. still debating what kind of fish to get later on

Long Fellow - 11 years ago

Starting up a new tank, watch my videos and follow the progress! !

Reese Gambetta - 11 years ago

I need lots of help I want to start a saltwater tank please help.

ManofSteele25 - 11 years ago

Very informative.....am in the planning stages of my first slatwater...thanx

Wayne's Fish World - 11 years ago

its good enough

Click Clacks Reef - 11 years ago

I just bought 20 lbs of live rubble rock is that good enough for my 20 gallon tank I plan on buying dry rock to I have live sand

Wayne's Fish World - 11 years ago

sure haha i started adding corals to this tank

AquaPorn - 11 years ago

I like your channel, and am lurking here often. Just started cycling my marine build. Any chance you could take a peak? Just to let me know if I'm on the right track....Thanks for any advice. AquaPorn

Wayne's Fish World - 11 years ago

thanks

saltwaterr joe - 11 years ago

nice job on the video

sergio montes - 11 years ago

Hey thanks for the video's, quick question should i have my sump running while im going through the cycle or should i start the sump after the cycle finishes....?

brooksysdead - 11 years ago

My first comment didn't post sorry. I was asking if I could cycle my 90 gallon with a freshly dead fish

Wayne's Fish World - 11 years ago

what is

brooksysdead - 11 years ago

Its freshwater by the way

brooksysdead - 11 years ago

Great info. I have a questtion that may or may not be stupid but when cycling my 90 gallon could I put a dead fish in ( freshly dead) to help build bacteria and if so how long to leave it in there?

Wayne's Fish World - 11 years ago

thanks as time has gone on i'm begging to think the same thing

John Bacon - 11 years ago

looks good the way it is

Wayne's Fish World - 11 years ago

yes :)

MUD BLOOD BEER - 11 years ago

now i just add dry rock sand and new water with some dr tims and add whatever all in the same day and keep up with it. dont recommend that to people but good video.

Wayne's Fish World - 11 years ago

will do as always let me know how yours works out

devilfire160 - 11 years ago

Okay thanks. i will try that then when i get the new tank. keep us updated with yours!

Wayne's Fish World - 11 years ago

that is absolutely true i do know corals as well so that is no problem there i do tend to leave pace between the corals for growing and at night the stingers do reach out thanks for tuning in

Wayne's Fish World - 11 years ago

thanks a lot manny hope your holidays were nice

Wayne's Fish World - 11 years ago

i'd go ahead and put them all in at once thats what i did to this tank

devilfire160 - 11 years ago

it's a saltwater tank that i had running for about 2 months now? and it has been fully cycled since like the first week. So after i move the rock and the sand i should wait till i throw in all the fish? or should i introduce them one at a time? i have 4 fish.

Jack Murray - 11 years ago

Looks good

Jack Murray - 11 years ago

Tank

terry taylor - 11 years ago

Dont forget u have to do reach on corals too some corals can put off chemicals or sting nearby corals if they are too close so people you dont want a $ 60 or so coral damaged by example a torch coral even button zoas can sting so spacing is reccomended cause some corals are fast growers and some are not as fast

Wayne's Fish World - 11 years ago

well is this a saltwater tank? if so you can just move all your sand and rock over to that tank with your filter if this is a fresh water tank just move your filter and gravel and if its a dirt tank you gotta start from scratch, but i still would let the new tank cycle a little then introduce your old live rock or sand or whatever with your old filter as well

Wayne's Fish World - 11 years ago

true but i wanted to cover all that was needed and then an update

devilfire160 - 11 years ago

Hey man keep up the good work. i actually have a question that i have never done. How should i go about switching my fish from one tank to a new tank? i want to upgrade in size but i'm a little afraid on how the cycling will work or should i say how would i go about step by step on what should i do? Any help will be greatly appreciated! thanks

Wayne's Fish World - 11 years ago

well when you put in the fish they will put off more ammonia in the end so if you have the corals first then that means the bacteria would have to adjust to the fish so i'd put the fish then coral in

Wayne's Fish World - 11 years ago

thanks gil

NaturallyLovely - 11 years ago

so excited for the new 55 gallon....question wayne im starting a new tank its a 30 gallon and i was wondering if im gonna do a reef aquarium do you put corals before fish or fish before corals im using fiji dry rock???

About How To: Start and Cycle an Aquarium Saltwater Reef Tank Correctly and Freshwater

The "How To: Start and Cycle an Aquarium Saltwater Reef Tank Correctly and Freshwater" video is part of the reef tank, salt water category, which contains similar videos like this one.