Fishless Cycling

[Becca]

You know, I really have been doing my best to be more positive about beginners in the hobby. Especially when visiting chain pet stores, such as PetSmart. Not everyone that works there knows everything there is to know about fish. But once in a while, you run into a conversation that just makes you giggle and you can't help but share it.

That's the case with what happened to me last night...

I was in PetSmart just browsing around and happened to be in an aisle that sold products and chemicals. I noticed a few products that said they helped seed your cycling tank and would, in return, boost the cycling process. I figured "What the hell" and decided to ask the guy about the product. The following is a close, though not precise, log of the conversation that took place:

LFS: Can I help you?
Me: I was just curious if you could tell me anything about this product.
LFS: (takes the bottle, turns it over, and begins to read - out loud and word for word, the description of the product.)
Me: Yeah, I gathered that. Any idea if it works half-way decently?
LFS: My dad and I use it to seed our tanks and 10 days later we were able to add fish.
Me: Hmmm...
LFS: You have to be careful though, you can't use it unless you use this. (picks up a bottle of dechlorinator with stress coat)
Me: Oh, my water is already dechlorinated, and I don't need that - I don't have any fish in my tank.
LFS: (insert blank stare here)
Me: I'm cycling it without fish...
LFS: (blank stare continues...)
Me: ....by adding ammonia directly to the tank to simulate fish waste?
LFS: (blank stare turns to a look of pure horror and utter disbelief. I actually had to stiffle a giggle at this point...)
Me: Basically all I'm looking for is something that would help speed up the process of breaking down ammonia into nitrites.
LFS: Wait...you added ammonia to your tank, ON PURPOSE?!?
Me: Yes, it's called fishless cycling. It saves my current fish from the terror of dealing with the toxic ammonia and nitrite spikes, and keeps me from buying fish for the pure purpose of putting them through hell.
LFS: (look of horror continues...) Where did you hear about this??
Me: A few fish friends I have online. Most of them have used it and it works wonders.
LFS: Oh, I wouldn't believe anything from online. It's too easy to just flame forums and stuff.
Me: Well, I'm sure that happens, but in this case - I feel pretty confident that they know what they're talking about.
LFS: Well, if you want to try this, then use it with the Stress Coat, like I said.

We pretty much just wrapped up the conversation and I finished my shopping. I just thought the looks I got from him were priceless when I said fishless cycling. I could have almost heard him scream when I said I was pouring ammonia into my tank, LOL.

 

[xXMrBonesXx]

lol that left me speechless .... my LPS just hired some new people and most of them dont know how to seal a bag without letting all the air out

 

[shrks1fan]

LOL, good story The part of him reading the label to you is priceless, like you couldn't do that yourself? At least he could read

Linda
http/www.pet-emporium.com/files
http/www.cooking-fanatics.com/files

 

[luxum]

Yeh, i have only encountered ~one~ fish store employee who did not try to claim fishless cycling doesn't work or whatever. They are clueless, but i cant really blame them for not knowing about, it's isn't exactly common knowledge yet. But the idea is taking root, i saw an article in a fish magazine about it recently, so hopefully they will come around.

BTW, those cycle products (with the possible exception of refridgerated products like Bio-Spira) are a complete waste of cash, in my experience they do absolutely nothing.

 

[Becca]

Actually - there's one called Stress-Zyme. We got it thinking "Well, we're getting used filter pads on Saturday and we really are only a few days into the cycle, so if we botch it up and it doesn't work, no harm done..."

We put it in Monday night. Yesterday - 24 hours later, I had a huge nitrite spike. It was my 6th day of my cycle. It may have been a coincidence, or it may have been a good product. Who knows! All I care about is my tank is still able to convert 5 PPM of Ammonia into nitrites!