Cycling......again!

[stucolls]

Hey guys, I want too get it spot on this time, when I set up my 183 litre tank in a few weeks, hopefully with either a tatratec ex1200 or eheim classic filter whats gonna b the best way too get it cycled, quickly and move my existing fish in there

I know there are countless topics on this but I seemed to balls up when setting up my last tank and I want this one too be spot on.

Many thanks

Stu

 

[SexyFishKeeper]

Biggest tip, is to get some mature filter media either from a friend or the LFS. Get a cutting of a sponge and put it between your sponges in your filter.

Then get a bottle of "Household Ammonia" either from B&Q or Boots (I got mine from boots) with a little medicine dropper.

Then once everything's in the tank, including the dechlorinated water, add the sponge and then put a dose in of Ammonia. Calculated the ammonia concentration in the bottle by adding a drop or two to a 10ltr bucket of water and leave it for a while.

Never dose Ammonia above 4ppm and have some bicarb of soda ready in case the pH crashes below 6 (will stall the cycle).

Test the Ammonia,Nitrite and pH each day (same time) then top back upto 4ppm each day.

Once Nitrite shows then start testing for Nitrate (as that'll show Ammonia is being processed).

Once Nitrate shows then you know there's bacteria there completing the ammonia cycle.

Warning, at this point there might not be enough bacteria there to cope with the amount of fish waste. The rule of thumb, is as long as you've added 4ppm of Ammonia and then 24 hours later Ammonia & Nitrate reads 0ppm then you're done.

Then, do a large water change (I did nearly 100%) then add dechlorinated water to fill the tank and then fully stock your fish.

Simple as really.

 

[rabbut]

I personaly would go for the Tetratec, as they have as many good reviews now as Ehiem, but at a fraction of the price The previous post gives a good overview for fishless cycling, and I assume you have read all of RDD's pinned post, [topic="113861"]here[/topic] for a more detailed set of instructions with explanations

All the best
Rabbut