Fishless cycle plan...

[StingrayKid]

I plan on starting a fishless cycle in a 55 gallon tank. I plan to begin by, putting in my sand,(after being washed) putting in rocks, and then filling the tank with water. I will then add my live plants, after heater and filter are left running and when the water temp is good. Then, I will add my ammonia, until it gets to 5ppm. then, I will squeege out of filter media from other healthy tanks I have, to increase bacteria. Then, I will add some stresszyme into my filters to get more bacteria going. Once I get a nitrite spike, I cut down on the ammonia I add every day by half. Then when I get my nitrAtes, I will stop adding ammonia and add more stress zyme and squeege more filter media bacteria in the tank. I will also have a sponge filter that also acts as an airator in the tank throughout the whole thing, which help the growth of bacteria,(or so I heard). Then when evrythings at a good level(Ammonia 0ppm, Nitrite 0ppm, and nitrAte under 0.20ppm), I will add my fish. Does this sound good? Did anyone take the time to read my ramble? Thanks!

 

[robbrouse]

Everything sounds pretty much how I didi mine. I didn't use the stresszyme and not sure I would. After I had a zero reading on ammonia and nitrites I did like a 60% water change and then wating a few days then started adding fish slowly. Well it's been 3 weeks and the fish are going great. The water is good and everyone is happy. Now I'll be doing a 55 gallon just like you this weekend.

This will be my third tank and since I'm pretty much out of room my last tank, but I'll be happy with what I have. I'm thinking of adding a 29 Gallon tank after the 10, 20 and 55 are fully stocked.

Good luck and glad to see you are doing a fishless cycle.

Robb

 

[StingrayKid]

Cool, glad to hear my plan will work out. I wont use the stresszyme though. Thanks!