Cycling question

[Dch48]

I am starting a brackish water tank for Opae Ula shrimp. The water in it right now is distilled. If I jump start a cycle by either adding TSS or a piece of filter media from a freshwater tank, will that bacteria be killed off when I add the reef salt to make the half strength seawater?

[sliphorn]

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I'm going to say it'll work based on what Dr Tim says about his freshwater nitrifying bacteria. He says it's fine for brackish water but beyond that you'd need to use his sea water formula.

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[Mustafa]

You shouldn't start a cycle or anything with just distilled water. It has literally nothing in it. Organisms need dissolved minerals and other things dissolved in the water to survive. Just mix up your brackish water and leave it be. No bacteria required really...they will most likely just starve to death anyway due to lack of biological activity.

[Dch48]

The salt has been in for 10 days and I tested the water. Ammonia is at 0.5 and Nitrates are at 5.0 The macroalgae looks good but there is no growth of any other kind. I added a piece of dried sea fan as decoration. I did add a little Safe Start and also had a piece of filter media from a freshwater tank in there. The media is gone now though.

[Mustafa]

I'd be careful with the dried sea fan. The "skin" that may also be still on it is not calcium carbonate and tends to rot and pollute the water before peeling off at some point.