Best Way to Cycle in 2025 Question

[omega59]

Hi everyone. I haven't had an aquarium in over 5 years, needless to say i been out of the hobby for some time, but lurking now and then on here. If i had to recall, i used ammonia in a bottle by Dr.Tim's i think it was. I am just curious what today's methods are for quickest cycle (other than getting mature media ready to go).

Looking to setup a 15gal tank or so with plastic plants for now. As i don't have cash for plant care and special lighting etc.

 

[f_luxus]

I am just curious what today's methods are for quickest cycle

Quickest is, buy Microbe Lift Nite Out II and Special Blend and if it's available in the States Amtra Clean Pro Cult. But in the end every tank needs his own microbiology. What i call "bullet proof" tanks need about 6 months of maturing.
In this time i would stress the biology for example with urea, or powdered fish food and sometimes bring in a bit dirt and gunk from outside, or bacteria booster as i said in the beginning.

 

[omega59]

oh i see so it still needs months to cycle up a tank. I used a cooked shrimp once is that still valid?

 

[anewbie]

Best way is to see if your local petshop will give you some live media (floss, sponge, ...). As for amount of time it takes - depends on a lot of factors but most 'in the bottle' bacteria is garbage designed to separate money from your wallet.

 

[AJ356]

I'm not sure I'd feel confident enough to risk using fish store or someone else's mature media for my new tank. Call it paranoia perhaps, re pathogens. I'd go for either Dr Tim's or Tetra Safe Start and pure ammonia. If memory serves, Dr Tim's worked better for me, but Safe Start also did better than nothing.

When I cycle, or to check if I have moved enough mature media to a new tank, I only ever dose ammonia to 1ppm. I've never found it required to go as high as 2ppm as some of the guides suggest. That's even if I am heavily stocking a new set up.

 

[f_luxus]

Fishstore often use one big filter for all fish.
Risk to bring pathogens in your tank is too high as AJ said.
When i use dirt für starting the cycle, i use soil from the woods mix it with whater in a jar, wait a bit so the dirt sinks to the floor and then i use the clear water, not the dirt in the first place for starting the tank. Nitrobacter etc. are found in every piece of dirt.

 

[gwand]

In the last three years I have cycled eight tanks ranging from 5 gallons to 60 gallons. I used old sponge filters, Tetra Safe Start and ammonia dosed to 1 ppm. In all eight tanks it took nearly 6 weeks for ammonia challenge to go from 1 ppm to undetectable in 24 hours. For me I had no short cuts. Others have.

 

[omega59]

that's really amazing. thank you all for the info and tips.