Dont Know What To Do

[clem]

Hi Everyone


Got a 60 litre tank for christmas and was looking forward to starting my new hobby of tropical fish keeping.
Joined this forum read everything i could to learn as much as i could before setting up my tank.
Then yesterday i went to my LFS with my shopping list of equipment needed and a full wallet.

First item i asked for was pure ammonia as i have read on here and other sites i may need this for my fishless cycle.
only to be asked what i wanted it for when i told him what it was for and where i got the info from he went on a rant about these bloody forums and web sites no nothing. could be a five year old writing it and proceeds to tell me how to go about setting up using fish (Fish in cycle).
Now i know some members on here will say he's just trying to get me to but certain products but it did not work i left spending nothing.
Im so disheartened i went there so excited about my new hobby now i just feel fed up and lost about what to do

Somebody help me please

Clem

 

[MegaZerino]

Hi Everyone


Got a 60 litre tank for christmas and was looking forward to starting my new hobby of tropical fish keeping.
Joined this forum read everything i could to learn as much as i could before setting up my tank.
Then yesterday i went to my LFS with my shopping list of equipment needed and a full wallet.

First item i asked for was pure ammonia as i have read on here and other sites i may need this for my fishless cycle.
only to be asked what i wanted it for when i told him what it was for and where i got the info from he went on a rant about these bloody forums and web sites no nothing. could be a five year old writing it and proceeds to tell me how to go about setting up using fish (Fish in cycle).
Now i know some members on here will say he's just trying to get me to but certain products but it did not work i left spending nothing.
Im so disheartened i went there so excited about my new hobby now i just feel fed up and lost about what to do

Somebody help me please

Clem

loads of people tell me that you have to cycle the tank for a few months with ammonia and everything. Personally all ive done is have it running for a week and bought some "beneficial bacteria in a bottle" and ive never had any problems, but i would get a few other opinions

 

[Crossfire]

Hi Everyone


Got a 60 litre tank for christmas and was looking forward to starting my new hobby of tropical fish keeping.
Joined this forum read everything i could to learn as much as i could before setting up my tank.
Then yesterday i went to my LFS with my shopping list of equipment needed and a full wallet.

First item i asked for was pure ammonia as i have read on here and other sites i may need this for my fishless cycle.
only to be asked what i wanted it for when i told him what it was for and where i got the info from he went on a rant about these bloody forums and web sites no nothing. could be a five year old writing it and proceeds to tell me how to go about setting up using fish (Fish in cycle).
Now i know some members on here will say he's just trying to get me to but certain products but it did not work i left spending nothing.
Im so disheartened i went there so excited about my new hobby now i just feel fed up and lost about what to do

Somebody help me please

Clem

It was good of you to do fishless cycling, a smart move by you As well as researching before beginning. I can asure you I am not 5 years old No idea what this weenie was up to, maybe he was losing profit because no one would buy his bottled bacteria But if you still need ammonia, you should check your grocery or hardware store for some. Make sure its pure, uncented, ammonia. The ingrediants should only say ammonia, water, and maybe chelating agents. If you haven't already decided on stocking, I recommend some Sparkling Gourami, tiny, but utterly beautiful and -bonus!- they sing, croak, and chirp!

 

[bristlenoseitplecoman]

I got a tank for christmas too (55 Gal.)! When I cycled my tank I just used fish food. you throw it in their and let it rot. If you add flakes do a pinch a day. If you do anything else just wait until it decomposes. monitor your ammonia and nitrites for 4-6 weeks and when they both reach zero stop adding the food and get 1-3 hardy fish you planned on getting. If the ammonia doesn't spike after that you can add 1-3 fish per week. Just make sure you don't overstock. On my first tank (10 Gal.) I didn't research like you did and didn't cycle. I lost alot of fish except 1 very hardy BN pleco. try using fishfood and don't risk your fish.

 

[clem]

thanks for suggestions i have not done anything yet feel a bit deflated really

 

[Crossfire]

thanks for suggestions i have not done anything yet feel a bit deflated really

Its okay! There comes a time when every fish keeper encounters harsh times which makes 'em want to give up
Just keep on truckin'!

 

[Dieses Madchen]

I think doing a fishless cycle is a good move on your part. Once your tank is cycled, you can add a full stock of fish and not have to worry about new tank syndrome. I have 5, soon to be six tanks going and the only one that I did a fish in cycle on was my first 10g and I lost quite a few fish due to not knowing. It is good to see that you have done your research. Where are you located? If you are US, I can tell you that ace hardware sells pure unscented ammonia and if you buy there, you won't have to get into details of fishless cycling with your LFS, as all of them will tell you that its wrong because they want to sell you fish. Don't be disheartened. Look around online for the supplies you need, keep what your doing to yourself when you go to the LFS (they will try to discourage you to make money) and carry on doing what your research tells you. And we will be here to help you on the way.

When you start your cycle, feel free to start a log on here, that way we can see what your cycle is doing. That way when a problem rises, we can help you Good luck and welcome!!

 

[Cossie1111]

Tbh that bacteria in a bottle gets a bad rap, I used it to kick off my fish-in cycle along with a betta.

I havent lost a fish, I recently bought more fish, and todays ammonia reading was zero.

 

[Prime Ordeal]

Tbh that bacteria in a bottle gets a bad rap, I used it to kick off my fish-in cycle along with a betta.

I havent lost a fish, I recently bought more fish, and todays ammonia reading was zero.

Which bacteria in a bottle did you use?

 

[Cossie1111]

Tbh that bacteria in a bottle gets a bad rap, I used it to kick off my fish-in cycle along with a betta.

I havent lost a fish, I recently bought more fish, and todays ammonia reading was zero.

Which bacteria in a bottle did you use?

Seachem stability

 

[the_lock_man]

Clem,

Stick to your guns, matey!!!!!! Forums know nothing? Well, why the smeg are there so many of them, then? The experience of this LFS bloke pales into insignificance when combined years of fishkeeping of the regular members of this forum.

It's a shame, all this bloke has done, really, is alienate himself from you - he lost a large sale because of it.

I'd guess you're in the UK, since you mentioned litres (them darn Yanks only talk about gallons ), assuming I'm right, pop into your local Homebase, where they stock ammonia in the cleaning products section, or you can order online at Boots, for free delivery to your local store, or your local independant hardware shop should have some Jeyes Kleenoff ammonia.

Then you can go to whichever LFS you choose, and buy the rest of your wishlist!

 

[HayzH]

yes stick to your guns..none of my LFS's had ever heard of fishless cycles before, I got my Kleen off Ammonia on ebay..very cheaply too. x

 

[Prime Ordeal]

clem you shouldn't be feeling deflated. You should be elated that as a newcomer to the hobby you knew more than some plonker who does this for a living and also that you resisted the usual sales trick of trying to sell you unnecessary crap! Pat on the back from me.

 

[CezzaXV]

I went in to my LFS at the beginning to ask if they had any filter media I could have to kickstart my cycle. I was willing to pay for it and everything too, but he just tried to sell me a bottle of the bacteria stuff. I still go there because it's a really good shop, the prices are reasonable, I never see any dead fish in their tanks and no matter what time or day you go in there, there's a 50% chance they're doing a water change right at that moment.

It's a good shop, but I just never ask questions there lol. I think the same goes for many LFS. Find a good one and stick with it, but don't rely on the staff to know anything.

 

[Smells a bit fishy]

I think most of this this hobby is opinions (and sales of course) but I quite often have conversations in my LFS with the staff, sometimes I agree with them, and sometimes they agree with me, also of they havnt heard or experienced a fish-less cycle, then they are going to be dubious.

Not defending just an opinion. Anyway well done clem about sticking to your guns and your fish will thank you for it