About to start cycling a new system that will be FOWLR. Should I use bacteria in a bottle? Can I use the media from other tanks to speed up the process ( I know nothing in this hobby happens fast ). I have a few live rocks and could hook up a filter from another system to it.
So much contradicting info online.... just curious to hear your thoughts.
I'd use the bottled bacteria for sure. Used to think it was snake oil, but have used it in my past two tanks and my cycle was over in less than a week each time. Used BioSpira both times, however I've also heard good things about Microbacter & Dr.Tims....Microbacter and Biospira are cheaper than Dr.Tims if I'm not mistaken though.
Getting the ammonia to kick off can be done in a couple ways.
-dosing pure ammonia
-throwing a shrimp in to rot.
-throwing a hardy fish like a damsel or ocellaris at same time as bottled bacteria.
the last one with the fish is unpopular with a lot of people because they feel it can harm the fish. I've never done a fish-in cycle, only have done fishless cycles, however had read a lot of threads of people still cycling their tank with a hardy fish and it seems the fish never die.
I personally like throwing a piece of shrimp in for a few days to rot and kick off the ammonia spike- only downside is it friggin REAKS! lol
Also putting media in from another tank can help- the media should have the beneficial bacteria populated in it and can help populate in your tank...mind you the bottled bacteria is usually the most efficient way to establish the bacteria.
anyways those are my two cents! Sorry for the small essay lol
