Cycle?

[pastabake]

The big change was the marketing of not too expensive and relatively accurate testing kits and the belief that the process of commercial breeding, transporting around the country, often internationally - followed by acclimatisation to local water parameters is somehow less stressful and less harmful to fish than exposing them to low levels of ammonia - a drop in the ocean but I guess you do what you can to make yourself feel better.

I listened to my lfs and cycled my first tank with neons all of which survived, and cycled my next one with Swordtails if the arriaval of fry is anything to go by they weren't overly bothered by it either. After reading about the fishless cycle I was going to use it on my new planted tank until I noticed that there were some mystery fry in there - eggs must have hitched a ride on the plants. So now I am basically doing a twice weekly 20% water change (along with some inoculation from the filters in the other tanks) until they have grown enough for me to add some more fish.

I'll try out the fishless cycle with the tank I've just bought and heretically replaced the Hagen Biolife filter for an Undergravel one.

 

[BigC]

Have been away from the hobby for better than 10 years. I have probaby started 50 tanks and NEVER once did I have a problem. I knew I was starting the bacteria going and would help it from my existing tanks, but I didn't treat it like a NASA project. Now,everybody's all worked up about cycling. "Why is the cycle taking so long?" "My ammonia readings are thru the roof.!" And what's all this I here about "night rates"? Rule of thumb was fill tank. wait 2 weeks until water cleared. Add plants. Let water clear. Add 2 hardy fish. If no problems add fish slowly until you run out of room. Meaning don't just figure on today's fish size. Plan on growth. Rarely if ever did I lose a fish and I NEVER had a single set-up problem. Has there been some big change in filters? Some startling new scientific discoveries? Otherwise, keep Igor and his test tubes away from my tanks! Really, despite my curmudgeonly remarks has there been some big new scientific breakthru, or did the pH tester folks figure a new profit enhancement program? (PEP) Thanx in advance. I promise not to tell ya stories about how we used to eat roots and berries, walk to school uphill both ways, and live in abandoned barrels to "toughen us up." Really. No foolin'.

Hello and Welcome
It's good to hear from another old fossel
I'm from that exact same Jurassic period.
Have you seen the fish remeady shelf at some aquarists stores today.......Amazing
Regards
BigC

 

[rdd1952]

I'm not easily offended and definitely understand that there is more than one way to cycle a tank (although my way is better ). I'm from that Jurassic period too but didn't have fish back then. We could only afford a rock to play with and if we lost it we couldn't afford another one.

 

[rabbut]

I'll try out the fishless cycle with the tank I've just bought and heretically replaced the Hagen Biolife filter for an Undergravel one.

If you don't mind me asking, why?

I know ugfs used to be popular arround 10 years ago, but they are now outdated. In many peoples opinions, any power filter is better than them now. Don't see this as critisisum, if ugf is what you are used to and have had success with, there is no need to change, its just that the modern filters are easier to clean and generaly maintain safely than the ugf types.

Power filters are better for growing plants, as they keep the nutrients where the plants need them, in the gravel, rather than being washed into the water column. Most can also be used to better control other water quility indicators such as disolved organics and better polish the water.

Just thought I'd give you a "heads up" incase you choose to re-consider your choice of filter

All the best
Rabbut

 

[fredgarvin]

I'm not easily offended and definitely understand that there is more than one way to cycle a tank (although my way is better ). I'm from that Jurassic period too but didn't have fish back then. We could only afford a rock to play with and if we lost it we couldn't afford another one.

I'm not easily offended and definitely understand that there is more than one way to cycle a tank (although my way is better ). I'm from that Jurassic period too but didn't have fish back then. We could only afford a rock to play with and if we lost it we couldn't afford another one.

You had it easy, whippersnapper. We were just given a handul of dirt and told to make out own rocks.

 

[fredgarvin]

Hello and Welcome
It's good to hear from another old fossel
I'm from that exact same Jurassic period.
Have you seen the fish remeady shelf at some aquarists stores today.......Amazing
Regards
BigC
[/quote] Thanx. I'm gonna add a post in the main forum about the "old days". Actually I haven't checked the stores much yet. The last time I had fish antibiotics were the big thing. What's new? Nano surgery?

 

[fishyfreak]

I hear what you're saying, I got hooked on fish when I was 12 or 13, that was 18 years ago (I'm still just a youngin). Things were pretty simple, buy a tank, filter, heater and pump, let in stand for a week or 2 then add a few fish. I never once tested the water. Back then everything I learned was through books, cichlid breeders and trial & error, not once did the breeders suggest I test the water. I'll admit I made a few mistakes and looking back, and after reading these forums I know what they were now. After a 10 year break I'm getting back into it again and am very excited about it, but I tell you if I hadn't done it before, reading these forums I might not want to, it all just sounds so complicated now! But that's ok, it teaches new hobbyists to be patient, which will in turn save a few lives. But then again 18 years ago my water didn't smell like Chlorine either!