Fish Cycle

[tom16]

when you do a water change do pour straight from the tap into the tank or do you declorinate it first or once it is in the tank thanks

 

[greenscooby]

i always de-chlorinate before i put it in the tank, and try to replace the water at roughly the same temprature, i use kettle water not the water from the hot tap.

 

[Truck]

you can put the dechlorinator in the tank first then add water or add it to the water before hand, it really doesnt matter

 

[pammy172]

If you don't want to use ammonia - why not use fish food or a piece of prawn?

 

[Truck]

If you don't want to use ammonia - why not use fish food or a piece of prawn?

because A it works out expensive for the fish food, and you cant control the amount of ammonia put into the water. where as i can with the fish in. although i could use a prawn to control ammonia i dont see the point, because really you could end up doing daily water changes so there isnt too much ammonia etc.

the only plus side would be that you wouldnt harm fish, but ive only had to do fish in twice, i now do clones with old media

 

[RedeyesUK]

If you don't want to use ammonia - why not use fish food or a piece of prawn?

No reason why you can't, the problem is it's hard to measure the amount of ammonia being produced. This makes it hard to measure in the same way that just adding pure ammonia is.

Plus, it makes a hell of a mess!

 

[backtotropical]

Yh i will doing the fish in cycle because i have 3 small dogs and i would rather they didnt get hold of it.

This is exactly what I was trying to discourage. That's why I jumped in when I seen the suggestion that fish-in cycling was recommended.

Please re-consider Tom. The only thing required if you have worries about the dogs is to keep the ammonia in a locked cupboard. I hate to see that being used as an excuse for putting the fish at risk with a fish-in cycle.

Fishless cycling is much more ethical and, as Truck agreed, much less labour intensive. Obviously I don't know your circumstances, but I can tell you that any cycle using fish puts their health at risk, and most people don't have the time to devote to the cycle which would be required to achieve what Truck did.

I can see no benefit of using fish over fishless, but many benefits of fishless over fish-in.

Please consider fishless cycling. Start off on the right foot and do the best thing for the fish?

Cheers

BTT

 

[tom16]

Right i am considering both but still have questions if i did the fish cycle i am unsure on when to do the water changes.

IS it when ammonia gets above .25 and nitrate 1 above 1.0

Thanks

 

[Truck]

if ammonia and nitrite are ever above 0 you do a water change. go to the new to hobby section and read the fish in cycling thread, however if your not going to have the time, or are one of those people that leaves things then do a fishless cycle, given the choice i would do a fishless cycle

 

[tom16]

I am still not sure what way to go yet.

How many fish should you put in a 20G tank when cycling

 

[Truck]

5 inches of fish i would and then build it up over 6 months

 

[tom16]

ok thanks

 

[backtotropical]

You should start with as few fish as possible, if you choose a fish-in cycle. That gives the fish the best chance of survival.

The thing with fish-in is you really need to take it as slow as possible to give the fish the best chance, but with fishless, you try to do it as quick as possible, then get the fish in. Obviously its more ethical too, which I already covered.

 

[stang1]

If you're worried about having ammonia in the house, then why not add food like Pammy suggested?
I have never cycled a tank using ammonia (or fish) and have always used flake food or prawn to kick start the cycle. Minimal cost and minimal hassle!

 

[Truck]

If you're worried about having ammonia in the house, then why not add food like Pammy suggested?
I have never cycled a tank using ammonia (or fish) and have always used flake food or prawn to kick start the cycle. Minimal cost and minimal hassle!

read my previous post in page 2