Fish In Cycling

[danb_1985]

I got the stuff for my aqua start 320 today and everything has settled. I am going to do a fish in cycle which I know will stir some discussion.

I plan to buy a test kit and test water bi daily as well as perform 20% water changes every 2-3 days.
I have previously used danios for cycling but I'm not sure my tank is big enough for their needs so will probably not feature in my stocking although I do like the fish in their own right (not just for cycling).
I have also used minnows for cycling but again they won't feature in my stocking.

My question is, would a single female platy that looks in the early stages of pregnancy, be a good idea? Or do they need to be in groups? Also the idea is for the platy to have babies To then help the cycle further is around a months time or will this spoil all the hard work? I was thinking i could then swap some of te babies when grown for new fish. Would a single male be better?

Thanks for any replies much appreciated

 

[Francesjane]

Personally if you have not got any fish yet, please think about doing a fishless cycle again...I have learnt the hard way big time and I have had a tank since August and it's still cycling because of the fish and my priority keeping them stress free although I'm sure I haven't totally!! I've lost fish, and it's hard work and worry, and I have no doubt shortened the lives of the fish I do have. I didn't know about the cycling until after I set up a tank otherwise I wouldn't have done it. In the mean time I have successfully cycled a second tank in 4 weeks (I did have a little media to help admittedly) but that's completed without harming any fish. I now have babies in that tank who I am sure, are appreciating the better water quality that could ever be offered in an Uncycled tank.
I am about to post my own topic about one of my fry because personally I feel I have created problems for this little fish by him being born in the Uncycled tank.

 

[Ch4rlie]

Can I ask why you have decided to do a fish in cycle despite many recommendations and ease to do fish less cycles?

 

[ADW1988]

Apologies but reading this thread saddened me.. I wouldn't use any fish, let alone any fish fry to try and cycle a tank! They will most probably die, and the pregnant fish will probably die before she gives birth anyway!!
 
"20% every 2-3 days".. Sorry but for your fish to stand a chance of living, 50% at least every day is more practical, unless you want the fish to die as a result of the fish in.
 
I agree with previous 2 posts and also question why? It took me 4 weeks 3 days to cycle a tank, with no help from existing media!!! Patientce is a virtue and my fish are extremely happy after fishless!! Fish in's do not work unless you're on hand to give it constant attention and months of work. Even then the fish will be stressed/pained as well as you having to do constant changes, as well as your water bills!!!
 
If you're going to do the fish in, get a bottle of Dr Timms or Tetra Safe Start and follow their instructions. Bear in mind I used TSS and it DIDNT work and lost fish initially - hence why i started again with a totally fishless cycle. And get lots of live plants and good air stone.
 
I will urge, as the others have, to consider a fishless cycle. It's stress free, easy with the right guidance and help along the way, and will cause you and fish a lot less stress.

 

[danb_1985]

I will consider it but I have successfully done a fish in cycle twice before without losing any fish. Only reason I got rid of the fish as I couldn't find a place for tanks when I moved so give fish back to the fish shop.

 

[Ch4rlie]

I will consider it but I have successfully done a fish in cycle twice before without losing any fish. Only reason I got rid of the fish as I couldn't find a place for tanks when I moved so give fish back to the fish shop.

 
Hmm ok, can sort of understand that but maybe this time, try fish less cycle and see if you notice the difference.
 
Can pretty much guarantee this fish less cycle method will be much easier and much less work to do as well as being much quicker, also you can fully stock your tank in one go once your fish less cycle is successfully completed.
 
I'd urge you to reconsider doing fish less cycle rather than fish in cycle.
 
Fish in cycle is now considered a bit of a dated method (as well as a cruel method to fish) since the introduction of this fish less cycle.
 
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/421488-cycling-your-new-fresh-water-tank-read-this-first/

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Most people no longer have any idea how to pull of a fish in cycle.
 
OP- IMO, you really do not have any idea what you are doing here, please reconsider your choice. If you think you can pull it off please answer the following four questions:
 
1. What makes ammonia toxic to fish and at what levels?
 
2. What fish have the best resistance to the effects of ammonia and nitrite?
 
3. Why should one be doing as few water changes during a fish in cycle as possible?
 
4. How does nitrite harm/kill fish?
 
Let me conclude by saying over the years I have cycle about 75 tanks. Only the very first in early 2001 was a fish in cycle. I consider myself to be better informed and experienced on cycling and cycling related issues in fw tanks than the average hobbyist. I believe I have the knowledge and experience to pull off a fish in cycle without harming or killing a single fish. I will not attempt to do so because if I make a mistake, I would not suffer, but fish likely would.