Fishless Cycle,old Fashioned?

[lifeofbrian]

Hi all,i went to my lfs today and asked about stock for my new tank,which has come to the end of the fishless cycle.I spoke to a couple of guys there and they both said that fishless cycling is an old fashioned american idea.And these days,all i nedded to do was add tetra safestart and add 6 fish every 10 days.They then told me they wouldn't sell me anymore fish unless i brought them back a water sample to check that it was ok.So...are they right?Or did they just want to sell me safestart?It sounds like they care about the fish,or do you think its all just some master plan to sell me another bottle of safestart every 10 days.

p.s.oh and they also told me that ph doesn't matter?is this right?

If this is bad advice,i will name and shame.

 

[Miles_hot]

LOL - see what they say about your tank sample. I guess the good ol' ways are the best

 

[The Taffy Apple]

Same happened to me----> http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/346076-local-pet-store/page__p__2883923__fromsearch__1&#entry2883923

Best pieces of advice i was given - 1/ If you are mind set on using this fish store, take along a water sample of yours and ask them to compare it to theirs. 2/ Write to the general manager. I did and had a lengthy reply stating how 'none of the sections of our store have resident experts, they take it in turns to work around the store on a weekly basis. 3/ Don't go there again. I couldn't resist the urge to visit again 6 months after the above link happened, only to find a lad my age working at the fish section, fully clued up on fishless cycles and it's benefits., yet i still refuse to buy fish from there on the basis of how the other girl there approached my situation.

Hope this helps,
Terry.

 

[KittyKat]

Haha, this is a joke, right?

SafeStart is no better than a fish-in cycle.

 

[lifeofbrian]

Haha, this is a joke, right?

SafeStart is no better than a fish-in cycle.

No joke,they were almost laughing in my face I felt a little bit bullied to be honest Telling me rather than advising

 

[KittyKat]

Haha, this is a joke, right?

SafeStart is no better than a fish-in cycle.

No joke,they were almost laughing in my face I felt a little bit bullied to be honest Telling me rather than advising

There is a reason why I gave up on discussing cycles with average people a long time ago..

 

[Tizer]

i actually learnt today in my local MA that biOrb gravel has a greater surface area that most bio ceramic noodles/tubes and is in fact great for cycling new tanks. Leaving some of the gravel in your external filter for a few weeks then placing it into your new filter can quickly improve the speed in which you can cycle/seed a filter. if thats right, then biOrb have managed to make/sell one item that has a use!

Point is, not every aquatics shop is the same, you really need to do your own research and not rush into fish keeping.

 

[KittyKat]

i actually learnt today in my local MA that biOrb gravel has a greater surface area that most bio ceramic noodles/tubes and is in fact great for cycling new tanks. Leaving some of the gravel in your external filter for a few weeks then placing it into your new filter can quickly improve the speed in which you can cycle/seed a filter. if thats right, then biOrb have managed to make/sell one item that has a use!

Aye, the "gravel" is actually the bio media, which BiOrb's manufacturers are very proud of.. and seeding has been proven many times over to work very well

 

[Curiosity101]

They would be correct in arguing that LONG cycles are old fashioned if tetra safestart had actually been proven to work. We've seen it many times on here, and haven't see anywhere near enough instances when it's made any difference at all.

Also... fishless cycles will always be your best bet, simple question: Do you want to avoid un neccesarily exposing your fish to ammonia and/or nitrite?

The answer will hopefully be yes for most people (if they understand about cycles), so fishless cycles should never be 'old fashioned'.

 

[fluttermoth]

I don't see how fishless cycling can be old fashioned...I've been keeping fish (seriously) since 1994 and had never even heard of it until I got the internet about four years ago

 

[Stonerbear]

well i went into a store today (a very large one) asking about getting ammonia to start my fishless cycle. all i got was no we dont sell it and why would you need it just buy this product and add fish tomorrow and all will be fine. i talked to 3 different staff and then the manager and no one new or understood why i wanted ammonia all they kept doing was saying " you sure about amonia " and " this product is better than what you have read online " . I just looked at the manager and said " no thank's ill just have to order it from boots " and the look he gave me was discusting. Lets just say i wont be going to that store any more

 

[lifeofbrian]

well i went into a store today (a very large one) asking about getting ammonia to start my fishless cycle. all i got was no we dont sell it and why would you need it just buy this product and add fish tomorrow and all will be fine. i talked to 3 different staff and then the manager and no one new or understood why i wanted ammonia all they kept doing was saying " you sure about amonia " and " this product is better than what you have read online " . I just looked at the manager and said " no thank's ill just have to order it from boots " and the look he gave me was discusting. Lets just say i wont be going to that store any more

Mate,whats going on,both guys i spoke to today looked at me cross eyed and asked "what did you use to cycle your tank"...i should have said kryptonite

 

[Stonerbear]

the thing that worrys me tne most is ive been fish keeping a week and no more about products and tank cycleing than a manager of a large tropical and marine fish store some people just want your money