Using protein skimmer waste for cycling process?

[Godzilla]

Hi everyone.

To cut a long story short, I have a 2ft tank with 1 clown, 2 damsels and a cleaner shrimp.

I sort of cheated by using sea water to start my 2ft tank and now I'm starting a 3ft tank but use salt mix.

I've been reading and doing research and I've read somewhere that some readers put in a damsel or drop in dead prawn to start the cycling process.

Since both are producing/ or is a waste product, is it feasible instead for me to pour some of the teh-o from my protein skimmer into the 3ft to start the cycling process?

Not sure if they are the same thing coz I'm a newbie :P

Can anyone advise me?

Thanks in advance

[kelstorm]

that is something new.. but i gather u can try it out and let us know whether it works.

personally, i dun see the reason why it will not work especially since the dissolved waste from the skimmer should contain some bacteria.

However, u can help to speed up the process by transferring some of your waste filter wool from your existing tank.. u dun want to have a tankful of nothing but waste...

[Godzilla]

that is something new.. but i gather u can try it out and let us know whether it works.

thats another question, how do i know if it works?

personally, i dun see the reason why it will not work especially since the dissolved waste from the skimmer should contain some bacteria.

I'm using "stability" from Seachem which says contains BB which helps my tank etc etc. Anyway I'm just thinking out of the box here, just dun feel like sacrificing some poor animal to induce cycling process (bad karma). Will update the forum if it works

However, u can help to speed up the process by transferring some of your waste filter wool from your existing tank.. u dun want to have a tankful of nothing but waste...

Using canister filter. Tot the BB from Seachem will makan the waste? A fren told me why add BB into a clean tank, if so, what does the BB eat? Thats why I tot of adding skimmer waste in.

Thanks for the kind advice Kelstorm [/i]

[kelstorm]

thats another question, how do i know if it works?
using the test kits to test for ammonia and nitrite surge

I'm using "stability" from Seachem which says contains BB which helps my tank etc etc. Anyway I'm just thinking out of the box here, just dun feel like sacrificing some poor animal to induce cycling process . Will update the forum if it works
u dun have to sacrifice any poor animal.. u can try using a sotong or prawn from the fridge. Also, i never believe in those bottled chemical that claimed to have "live bacteria" in them.. nothing for them to feed on.

However, u can help to speed up the process by transferring some of your waste filter wool from your existing tank.. u dun want to have a tankful of nothing but waste...

[Godzilla]

Thanks for the kind advice Kelstorm.

Will keep everyone posted about my tank

Now have to surpress my desire to buy fish and put them in this weekend. (I'm planning to buy fish the saturday after this one, but its hard. You know what I mean)

Have a great weekend everyone!

[kelstorm]

better not.. it is not the right time to load your tank... rem.. dun overload your tank

[Godzilla]

[quote:c14c8b3ab2="kelstorm"]better not.. it is not the right time to load your tank... rem.. dun overload your tank[/quote:c14c8b3ab2]

Yes yes.. I know... thats why must be patient. But my tank right now is like a young beautiful babe in the house gesturing me to come over..... and put fish into her...

Will get the test kits this weekend and hopefully next week can add cleaner shrimps in first. ish will come maybe a week after that.

Cheers people

[kelstorm]

shrimps are less sensitive than fishes... i dun advise loading until at least 4 weeks after the start of cycling.