is this true aout fish cycling?

[Marx]

Cycling a New Tank and Fish Choice:

A tank can be cycled using fish (actually their wastes, other aquatic animals work as well) or ammonia added directly. Cycling a tank with fish means adding fish so that they produce ammonia to promote the growth of the bacteria that convert it to nitrite and then nitrate. A tank is "cycled" when ammonia and nitrite readings are sustainably zero (they stay zero for at least a few weeks), and nitrate readings increase. Many people tell new aquarists to cycle their tanks with cheap or trash fish like feeder fish, danios, guppies, etc., and then to get rid of them or return them to the store. I do not believe this to be a good choice. First, these fish are not respected and being treated poorly are most likely full of diseases, bacteria, and/or parasites. These are then introduced into the new tank and stay there. Second, after the tank is cycled, the fish have to go somewhere. If unwanted fish were used, they either go back to the store (in which case the stress most likely kills them) or are killed outright. It is much better to use fish that one intends to keep to cycle the tank. There is NO reason that a single initially-healthy fish should die during cycling (see information above on water changes). Anyone who tells you that it is "normal" for a fish to die is misinformed or trying to sell you more fish.

The fish desired in the tank should be determined ahead of time. A few of the most hardy of those should be the first inhabitants of the tank that will get the nitrogen cycle going. These fish will remain in the tank when the tank is cycled, and new fish are added. Good cycling fish that can be kept in most community tanks include fancy guppies, small danios, small tetras, small barbs, white cloud mountain minnows, etc. Even most so-called sensitive fish can be used to cycle a tank without dying. In rare cases, it may actually be necessary to cycle a tank with fish that cannot remain in the tank forever (like a piranha tank). Ideally, these fish would be moved to a tank of their own after cycling. Algae eating and bottom dwelling fish such as plecostomus, otocinclus, algae eaters, snails, corydoras catfish (cories), and freshwater shrimp should not be added until after the tank has been set up for a while and algae and bottom debris are present.


By Robyn's Water Chemistry Page
http://www.fishpondinfo.com/chem.htm#cycle


It says that fancy guppies can cycle the tank.. is that ture?

[BigDaddy]

Any fish can cycle a tank.  You might kill it before the fish cycles (i.e. not changing the water often enough that the ammonia or nitrite builds up too much)....

You need a hardy fish to cycle a tank.  Lots of people recommend danios.

However, it's so easy to get ammonia... why bother burning the poor fishes gills for a month ....

[dpatte]

after a few fishless cycling experiments, I would never consider cycling using fish again.

[dpatte]

quick instructions to cycle a tank...

Every morning add enough ammonia to bring the level back to 5 PPM. The first day that all the ammonia and nitrIte is totally consumed, do a full water change. Ready.

[Marx]

I Don't have time every morning to add 5ppm ammonia or measure the amounts before work.. could i do that every night before bed? and test for ammonia in the morning?

also what type of ammonia? and were to get it?

i also want plants do i have to wait to add them ??

thanks!!

[dpatte]

replace 'every morning' by 'once per day'

yes, plants are fine in a tank when you are cycling. They even help get the cycle started.

'clear ammonia' is avaialble from 'home hardware' - look for 'old country'.

[Marx]

Thanks Dpatte!!

[luvfishies]

Another brand to look for is AMEX.

Any will do as long as the only ingredients are:
AMMONIA
WATER
CHELATING AGENTS

NO perfumes or dyes or sudsing agents!!

[Marx]

any grocery store brands.. since home hardware is way out of the way for me lol..

[luvfishies]

Marx, I've seen AMEX in corner convenience stores, Walmart, A&P, Canadian Tire, so you should be able to find "pure" household ammonia if you keep your eyes open.

[Marx]

So how do i do this fishless cycle?
day 1
1- dump caps fulls of ammonia into 75gal tank?
2- test till 5ppm..

day 2
1-test ammonia
2-add ammonia
3 test ammonia 5ppm

day 3
1-test ammonia
2-add ammonia
3 test ammonia 5ppm

and on till what?
till i test for nitrite?

[dpatte]

Once per day you test for ammonia and add ammonia to bring it back to 5. if ammonia was 0 after 24 hours test for nitrite too. When nitrite is also zero (this tends to happen suddenly) you are finished.

[Marx]

TY everyone!!

[Marc]

Marx,

If you haven't read it yet you may also want to read the following article about cycling a tank which includes information about fishless cycling:  http://ovas.ca/article.php?sid=69

[ambushman2j]

curious, do you NEED to seed the tank before beginning or is that just exceptionally helpful?

[Marx]

Dpatte,

Do you remember how much ammonia it took to reach 5ppm in your 75gal? just so i have a starting point.. thanks!!

[dpatte]

several large eyedroppers.

using a filter from an active tank will also help get things going

[Marx]

also do i h ave to wait a few minutes before testing for ammonia? like add 4 eye droppers worth in and wait 30min then test so ammonia cycles threw tank and filters?

[BigDaddy]

Marx:

If you intend for this to be a planted tank, you should read this article

http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant_newtank.htm

It makes a valid point.... why build up a nitrifying bacteria colony, only to have part of it die off because the plants are now consuming a portion of the nitrogen (i.e. ammonia nitrite) that is being produced in the tank.

This method also gives you a chance to play with your CO2 levels without potentially killing fish from overdose.

[Marx]

Ok maybe i gave you all the wrong impression.. I want live plants in my tank..

well.. live plants/rock and wood..

im not going to plant 15 plants all at once..

im a n00b.. lol..

i was going to place..

5-6 plants after 2-3 days of running..

maybe more during the first month..

but i want a carpet type plants.. and a few semi tall plants..

so i know that 5-6 plants in 75 gal won't make a big difference..

or can some one give me some adive based on this..

Thanks!!!  :?