what is the fastest way to cycle a new tank

[lampro]

what is the fastest way to cycle a new tank? i want to cycle a tank in a week if possible
how do i know when the tank is ready?

 

[OrionGirl]

Buy cured live rock and sand. Add to tank. Add ammonia, test to verify active bacteria colonies. The real stuff, as well, not stuff comes in a bag. Preferable from a healthy tank.

But keep in mind, the tank will only be 'cycled' for a given value. If you add 500 clowns, it's not going to be enough.

Also repeat to yourself 'Nothing good ever happens fast in a marine tank'.

 

[Jeffrey's Fish Tanks]

Get a deep sand bed, used established media and live rock and add in something to create ammonia (can be ammonia directly, could be a piece of food, etc,)

 

[JerryHarris]

I didn't even know that. Thanks for the tip!

 

[Schreiber]

Do you know anyone around you that has a tank? Ask for some old filter bags, sand, gravel, anything porous really. Add that to your tank as a "seed" for bacteria to grow.

 

[Schreiber]

Also, it's worth looking into cycling with ammonia, as long as you don't already have livestock in there. I've cycled tanks in about 5 days with that method, though you have to be pretty on top of it with measurements & checks.