Andrew waterson
New Member
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2018
- Messages
- 43
- Reaction score
- 4
Hi All,
My 3rd subject!
1st a big thanks to the community on this site, the advice and expertise is amazing!
My new aquarium arrives tomorrow so I'll be starting the step up and cycle fairly soon (after building the cabinet and preparing the gravel\lava rocks ... etc)
I was planning on doing a fish less cycle (as per the brilliant step by step guide on this site)
but having read lots of threads and other sites I have a few questions on it this is the best approach and a few specific details
I'm planning on a moderately planted tank, with the plants making a nicer environment for the fish (breaking lines of sight, hiding places ... etc) and to provide a bit of support with cleaning and oxygen.
Moderate probably isn't a great measure, but I think 8 ish plants (variety tbc), but certainly not a fully planted tank
Tank 160 litres, to be setup as a tropical community tank (exact fish tbc in another post, but rainbows, mollies are the most likely)
Moderately planted, with lava rock as structure\decoration and 2 filters (one with the package suggested to be too small)
Hard Alkaline water area, tap water readings
- PH 7.6-7.8
- Hardness
268 ppm Calcium carbonate(CaCO3)
Degrees German(DH) 15
- Ammonia 0
- Nitrite 0
- Nitrate approx 30ppm
Questions (so many questions)!
1. Is a fish less cycle the best\safety option vs a fish in cycle? I'm a novice so not going to put a huge amount of faith in my ability to manage a fish in cycle with correct planting\fish selection
2. I have bio media (ceramic rings) from a established small cold water tank filter (ammonia and Nitrite 0, Nitrate a bit over the tap water level due an over-sized gold fish, doing more regular partial water changes now). Should I use this to in the new filters to kick start the cycle process? I'm fairly certain its yes, but just wanted to check the cold to tropical change isn't a problem
3. The setup comes with Interpet filter start, should I use it? I've seen a generally negative view on these kind of products.
4. If I do a fish less cycle should I add plants at the start, end or somewhere in between? I've seen lots of contradictory info on this saying plants help with or will be damaged by the cycle, but most of this was based on a planted tank which I don't think mine is
Any help much appreciated
Thanks
My 3rd subject!
1st a big thanks to the community on this site, the advice and expertise is amazing!
My new aquarium arrives tomorrow so I'll be starting the step up and cycle fairly soon (after building the cabinet and preparing the gravel\lava rocks ... etc)
I was planning on doing a fish less cycle (as per the brilliant step by step guide on this site)
but having read lots of threads and other sites I have a few questions on it this is the best approach and a few specific details
I'm planning on a moderately planted tank, with the plants making a nicer environment for the fish (breaking lines of sight, hiding places ... etc) and to provide a bit of support with cleaning and oxygen.
Moderate probably isn't a great measure, but I think 8 ish plants (variety tbc), but certainly not a fully planted tank
Tank 160 litres, to be setup as a tropical community tank (exact fish tbc in another post, but rainbows, mollies are the most likely)
Moderately planted, with lava rock as structure\decoration and 2 filters (one with the package suggested to be too small)
Hard Alkaline water area, tap water readings
- PH 7.6-7.8
- Hardness
268 ppm Calcium carbonate(CaCO3)
Degrees German(DH) 15
- Ammonia 0
- Nitrite 0
- Nitrate approx 30ppm
Questions (so many questions)!
1. Is a fish less cycle the best\safety option vs a fish in cycle? I'm a novice so not going to put a huge amount of faith in my ability to manage a fish in cycle with correct planting\fish selection
2. I have bio media (ceramic rings) from a established small cold water tank filter (ammonia and Nitrite 0, Nitrate a bit over the tap water level due an over-sized gold fish, doing more regular partial water changes now). Should I use this to in the new filters to kick start the cycle process? I'm fairly certain its yes, but just wanted to check the cold to tropical change isn't a problem
3. The setup comes with Interpet filter start, should I use it? I've seen a generally negative view on these kind of products.
4. If I do a fish less cycle should I add plants at the start, end or somewhere in between? I've seen lots of contradictory info on this saying plants help with or will be damaged by the cycle, but most of this was based on a planted tank which I don't think mine is
Any help much appreciated
Thanks