Cycling a tank

[PaintballFan07]

Hi, I am setting up a 72g bow front tank for my discus. I have the tank and i am waiting for the supplies to come in. How long should it take for the tank to cycle with a betta? I should be recieving my supplies on wednesday so the tank will be set up then and the betta will be put in on sunday. thanx for ur help

 

[canarsie11]

1 betta with 72 gallon will take a long time, and even then after you add your discus, you will probably end up with mini cycle, cause you cannot compare the amount of waste of betta vs discuss, also you will be adding more than 1 discuss I assume.

I say go fishless

 

[modernhamlet]

Yup, I totally agree. Set the temp at 84 (where the discus will want it anyway) and fishless cycle. The bacteria will grow quickly at the warmer temps. It'll be probably go much faster than with fish and you'll be able to get your discus sooner.

What are you planning to stock with the discus?

Good luck!

 

[PaintballFan07]

I know nothing about the fishless cycle. But i am more than willing to learn, could sum1 tell me everything i need to do, and how long does the fishless cycle take. Modernhamlet i am not planning on keeping anythng with the discus cuz this tank will be barebottom so i clean it much easier. I would like to put other fish in this tank but I do not know of any fish that would like it bare bottom and have nothing to hide behind. If u know of any fish that would like these conditions plz let me know. thanks for all of ur help

 

[modernhamlet]

There are a lot of webpages out there that describe how to cycle your tank without fish. This one seems to be pretty exhaustive and (in my opinion) uses the best method:

http/www.aquamaniacs.net/cyclingsafelyfishless.html

If you have any specific questions about the process, by all means ask. We're happy to help!

 

[MrMashashin]

you got the tank from petco didnt you.
I wanted the one there but 300 bucks was a bit out of my range for just a tank with nothing else, not even oak or walnut trim. I still wat one though

 

[modernhamlet]

The one fish I always hear as a good companion fish for discus is the rummy nose tetra because they tolerate the higher temperatures well and are a great indicator of water quality. If they start losing their color, you know you may have a problem before your expensive discus start to die.

Certain corys go well with discus as well, but I doubt they'd work in a substrate-less tank.

 

[PaintballFan07]

you got the tank from petco didnt you.
I wanted the one there but 300 bucks was a bit out of my range for just a tank with nothing else, not even oak or walnut trim. I still wat one though

Yes, but the tank the tank n hood was $424. n sum change total. I didnt buy the stand yet.

 

[PaintballFan07]

There are a lot of webpages out there that describe how to cycle your tank without fish. This one seems to be pretty exhaustive and (in my opinion) uses the best method:

http/www.aquamaniacs.net/cyclingsafelyfishless.html

If you have any specific questions about the process, by all means ask. We're happy to help!

thanks for the website and the info on fish that are compatible with discus.

 

[PaintballFan07]

you got the tank from petco didnt you.
I wanted the one there but 300 bucks was a bit out of my range for just a tank with nothing else, not even oak or walnut trim. I still wat one though

the tank was cheap but the lights n all glass hood was the more expensive part. I ordered my supplies online cuz they are cheaper online. the tank costed 199.99, light 129.99, n all glass hood was 59.99. and it just have black trimming

 

[PaintballFan07]

1 betta with 72 gallon will take a long time, and even then after you add your discus, you will probably end up with mini cycle, cause you cannot compare the amount of waste of betta vs discuss, also you will be adding more than 1 discuss I assume.

I say go fishless

I will be putting 5 or more depending on how deep my pockets are at the time. B)