Fish Cycle

[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!

read my previous post in page 2

?

 

[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

sorry page one

 

[stang1]

I haven't ever had to control the ammonia and the expense isn't worth writing on a piece of paper!
I cycled my 5ft Malawi tank by throwing a handful of fish food in and tested the levels every other day. It took 2 1/2 weeks to cycle and I've never had an issue with "spikes". It does run two external filters and water changes are done weekly.
A two and a half week wait with no labour was kind to me and even kinder to my fish.
I have 7 tanks and have used similar methods for most of them, with the exception of cloning a couple of smaller ones.

 

[Truck]

where i quoted my self in post 32

 

[backtotropical]

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

This bit, Stang

 

[stang1]

Thanks BTT, slow tonight but got there in the end!
See above post.

 

[Truck]

I haven't ever had to control the ammonia and the expense isn't worth writing on a piece of paper!
I cycled my 5ft Malawi tank by throwing a handful of fish food in and tested the levels every other day. It took 2 1/2 weeks to cycle and I've never had an issue with "spikes". It does run two external filters and water changes are done weekly.
A two and a half week wait with no labour was kind to me and even kinder to my fish.
I have 7 tanks and have used similar methods for most of them, with the exception of cloning a couple of smaller ones.

i might try it in the future. but when i get my own place ill be using ammonia or prawns lol

 

[greenscooby]

I'm a newbie and have become stuck in the fish-in cycle (i wish i'd done my research first), my ammonia is now down to 0 but i'm still doing 2x50%water changes a day because my nitrIte and NitrAte levels are a wee bit high, i'm lucky, i'm not working at the minute so doing these changes is no problem for me-my back is complaining tho- and to be honest with you i'm quite enjoying it, i know it's not 100% good for your fish but my LFS dropped me into this mess and i'm enjoying helping my fish out of it. Hard work and dedication will always win, looking forward to getting another tank, which will be a fish-less cycle, if only to save my back!!