Yet another cycling question
- Thread starter J_E_F_F
- Start date
Yes, that would work, if you have your heart set on cycling with fish 
This article will help you with the process http://www.aquamaniacs.net/forum/cms_view_article.php?aid=14
This article will help you with the process http://www.aquamaniacs.net/forum/cms_view_article.php?aid=14
I'm new to aquariums, and if i'd have known then what I know now, I would have "fishless" cycled. You'll have a lot less casualties, and once the cycle is finshed, you can put as many fish in there as you want.. (as many as your tank should hold that is) Now, I've been calling every pet store in houston trying to find bio-spira so i can save my fish!! (i'm nervous that they will die from the ammonia, no matter how many water changes i do ) my advice: FISHLESS CYCLE.
Interesting to hear about different people's experiences with cycling and their cycling preferences; be it 'fishless' or 'fish-in.'
I've always done 'fish-in' cycling, and I've never lost a fish as a result of this process. Of course, I've always started with hardier specimens, and keeping on top of water changes was key to succeeding, in my opinion.
Big Vine
I've always done 'fish-in' cycling, and I've never lost a fish as a result of this process. Of course, I've always started with hardier specimens, and keeping on top of water changes was key to succeeding, in my opinion.
Big Vine
yeah, well I didnt know about "cycling" and bought two sharks for my tank, I dont know how hardy they are, although its been about a week and there still fine. I'm not adding anything else though till i get some nitrate readings...I still dont even have nitrite readings in either of my tanks the 10 gal has been running for 2 weeks (wish fish) now...grr....
the 10 gal has been running for 2 weeks (wish fish) now...grr....If you don't know your readings, I'd play it safe and do small water changes daily (10% or so) or do about a 20-30% water change about every other day.
Keep that up until your tank's been up and running for about a month (don't add any more fish in the meantime) and then reduce the changes to about twice a week for a two-week period, and then once a week from then on.
It may sound excessive, but that's really playing it safe with a cycling tank---It's all based on 'guesswork,' which can be eliminated if you are able to actually test the water and react in accordance with the test results, rather than acting on an 'educated guess' as to what your fish are or are not able to tolerate while the tank is still cycling.
Big Vine
Keep that up until your tank's been up and running for about a month (don't add any more fish in the meantime) and then reduce the changes to about twice a week for a two-week period, and then once a week from then on.
It may sound excessive, but that's really playing it safe with a cycling tank---It's all based on 'guesswork,' which can be eliminated if you are able to actually test the water and react in accordance with the test results, rather than acting on an 'educated guess' as to what your fish are or are not able to tolerate while the tank is still cycling.
Big Vine
I test my water daily, although I usually just test ammonia and sometimes nitrite... my ammonia just keeps going up, so thats why i dont regulary check nitrite...(whats the point unless the ammonia level starts to decrease) but i did check nitrite on both tanks today and still 0...but I'm going to get bio spira this weekend hopefully just to play it safe with my fish...