Cycling The Tank

[BlueShinobu]

ok, i tried to read the big thing it had at the top but i just dont do well with things chock fulled of information like that. i was wandering if someone could just give me a easy simple explanation of how to cycle a tank. i have a 28 gallon that im planning on putting DP's in

 

[5teady_2012]

See fishless cycle link in my sig.

All you need to know is in there and easy to follow

 

[Mr._Fishy]

First of all, good job on doing your reading before you bought your fish. You and your fish will thank you. I can't really explain it any better than the pinned thread, but pretty much what you do is add ammonia until it is at 4-6 ppm in the tank. Continue to do this until your ammonia is processed into nitrites then nitrates within 12 hours. Your tank is now cycled. A large (~90%) water change will likely be needed get the nitrates down. To keep it cycled, keep adding the ammonia as you were before.

This may seem kind of gross, but peeing in the tank to raise the ammonia levels will work too. I used it to cycle all of my tanks, and my uncle, who is a breeder, did it to his. If you do a fish in cycle it is just the fish pee and decaying poo that cycles the tank. All you are doing is replacing the fish and their urine with yours. It is also a bit cheaper and more convenient. There was an entire thread on this over at The Puffer Forum and it explains how this works and why it's okay.

Ryan

 

[BlueShinobu]

thank you

 

[rdd1952]

Basically, all you need to read in the pinned topic is the first post (and not necessarily all of it). Almost everyone uses the "Add & Wait" method so concentrate on it. The other info at the beginning just explains the things you need such as a good liquid test kit and a bottle of ammonia. You are in California so you should be able to find that at most any grocery store or Walmart (if you have those). Just check the ingredients.