Fishless Cycling

[Lithril]

Hopefully being given a 3' tank soon as a friend has some spare and I wouldn't mind trying to keep some dwarf puffers. Only just read about the fishless cycling. Any ideas what strength ammonia those quantities use (on the beginners link)?? I can get ammonia from work (lab work does have some perks) but its fairly concentrated so not sure if I'll need to dilute it down first???

Also how often should I be feeding the fish?? At the moment its been every other day, we used to keep Tiger Oscars years ago and I'm sure this was all we fed them then, but could be totally wrong....usually am...

 

[devinf]

Don't know about the fishless cycling - never done it.

For feeding, I've recently been playing with how much and when I feed. The last several weeks I've given a single algae tablet for my 25G, and one algae tablet with a good pinch of flake food for the 40G. I feed once a day in the morning. I will also supplement with spirulina flakes, bloodworms and brine shrimp as the odd treat. My fish have become much more active and healthier looking.

Devin

 

[pondfreak4365]

I read that you should add ammonia until the level reaches 5ppm. You might just try a few drops and test until you reach 5ppm. I used household ammonia, it took 5 tablespoons to get my 55 US gallon to 5ppm.

 

[wetwetwet]

Feeding can depend on type/size/age of fish.... my general community they get fed once a day...

imho ammonia is only really necessary if at the end of the cycling period you intend to introduce alot of fish at once say for a cichlid set up or for a commercial premesis.... - if not then a picnch of flake each day will be enough to feed the bacteria and once cycled then to stock slowly (the fun part )

btw love puffers and would love to set a tank up for them - what type are you getting?

 

[Moe]

I read a lot about fishless cycling before I tried it. Every article said pretty much the same thing. Ammonia concentration varies greatly. You just have to make sure it is pure ammonia with no additives then add it very slowly a few drops at a time til you get to 5ppm. It took one and a half tsp in my 10g. If you add too much, more than 7ppm, the bacteria can't live so it is better to go slowly. It took 7 days to cycle the 10G and no fish were killed. Good luck!

 

[Lithril]

Hmmm, may water the stuff at work down a tad then its fairly strong (we normally use it in fume cupboards so stop the burning )

Not sure on which puffers to get, seen a few of them and fell in love with them, but I want to research them a lot more first (won't be getting the tank for a couple of weeks). Any advice is definately appreciated. Tanks 3' long but thats the only dimension I've been told, not even sure of the capacity.