Cycling With Fish

[Tiric]

I did a search was not able to find a way to cycle a tank with fish. Found lots on fishless. I would like to read up on the way to do a proper "cycling with fish" way. Have read on the fishless seems very easy. And not very complicated at all
Does anyone of any good links on how it should be done correctly?

 

[mandy82]

Buy Bio Spira from a lfs. It's expensive (imo), but most of the time it's worth the money.

I didn't know anything about a fishless cycle when I added my fish (without using Bio Spira, too), so I watched the levels and did water changes as needed.

 

[Tiric]

Can’t you add a 2-4 fish at a time to get the cycle started and slowly increase some more fish when its safe to do so?

 

[RoyalGrammaPrincessHannah]

If you want to cycle fishless, do Bio-Spira for sure, then add ammonia and test the water for it to make sure it has worked. Sometimes in shipping, the bacteria has been exposed to heat and has died. To keep it cycled, only add 1-2 of your fish at a time.

 

[cujoho78]

Hi. You need to have a test kit for ammonia and nitrite at the least to do it properly. Add a few fish but not too many at first. Keep an eye on the ammonia and nitrite levels. When the levels get to 0.25ppm or more of either then i would do a water change to bring them down again. Then i would wait until the levels start to drop on their own before adding another couple fish. Just keep an eye on the water. If the levels of ammonia and nitrite get too high change some water. If you keep these levels down, the fish will be ok. Just make sure the water you use to change is near the same temperature and pH as the old water and that you've added dechlorinator.
Did you get your tank and all the equipment yet? Did you find a good deal?

 

[Tiric]

I realize you need a test kit, and ill get one, when I buy my tank and equipment. Still looking if I should a master test kit or one of the smaller ones.

Cujo, No. Have not got my tank and equipment yet. I'm shopping around, pricing everything out before I spend any money. Trying to see which place is best to buy at, and which has better deals. Also checking out if get the tank made and doing a DIY stand will save some money, problem with that is I don’t have all the right tools to do it.. So kind stuck on that.

 

[Marcos]

Main thing to remember is regular water changes and don't be tempted to add many fish in the first month.

 

[missPenguin]

Is this Bio-Spira stuff available in the UK?

 

[bogwood]

Is this Bio-Spira stuff available in the UK?

I've looked but never found it in the UK...

 

[Tiric]

Main thing to remember is regular water changes and don't be tempted to add many fish in the first month.

Thanks Marcos!

 

[pokagon55]

Hey there Tiric dude, nobody said the rule of thumb for the fish cycle. The rule of thumb for a fish cycle is 1 inch fish for every five gals. Remember that the water change are only for the fish to keep them from getting to stressed during the cycle so try 25 to 30% water change when the ammonia starts to rise and depending on the ph readings, will depend on how often you do the change to keep the fish from being more stressed or dieing,
Because the higher the ph the more toxic the ammonia is.

Happy fishing dude!

 

[Inchworm]

Can’t you add a 2-4 fish at a time to get the cycle started and slowly increase some more fish when its safe to do so?

Hi Tiric

What you described there is the right way to do it.

If you go slow and easy, and check your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate readings regularly, you will eventually grow a fine batch of beneficial bacteria and increase it to accommodate a full tank of fish. Just have patience and do enough water changes to keep your ammonia readings low.

An even easier way to get started (both for you and for the fish) would be to ask a friend to give you some filter media from his cycled tank. It will contain both kinds of beneficial bacteria needed to get your tank off to a good start with no risk of injury to the fish you begin with. If you don't have any friends with tanks, perhaps you have a local aquarium society. If you send an email or call the president, they will most likely be able to find a member who will help you out with some.