Fishless Tank Cycle

[Nissa]

Hi all!

We just made a long distance move and had to take down our long standing 30 gal freshwater fish tank, give away our fish and we are now starting fresh! I went to a small local fish store today to buy a new heater for our tank, and pick up some ammonia to do a fishless tank cycling. We've always used zebrafish to cycle previously, but we wanted to do the fishless cycle this time since I feel like it's cruel to the fish to die during the cycle or get eaten later!

To my surprise the store owner said "you don't need ammonia- just plug in the heater and let the tank run for 4-6 weeks, then you can add your fish and the tank will be ready!" I was shocked by this- this seems totally wrong to me, you need ammonia input to get the nitrogen cycle going or you will have a huge spike after the fish are added won't you!? I need to feed the bacteria with something to get them established. I can't find anything about this online, so I'm wondering if this is either a very "advanced technique", or just complete BS the store owner tells new customers so that all their fish die and they won't get a refund (fish replaced only if they die within 5 days and the water check comes back clean).

Thoughts?

Nissa

 

[fishyfeet]

you are right you do need ammonia, i used to add fish food, or frozen prawns to the tank, anything to get it going, i wouldnt use that fish store in future, they just want your fish to die so you keep going back and buying more, thank goodness you are in the know, im sure they should be a help file on here somewhere to help you. di

oh i found this have a look though loads of good info here

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/277264-beginners-resource-center/

 

[Nissa]

Oh thank you, thank you! My gut was telling me this was totally wrong, however I we have only been in the hobby for 5 years so we're still new enough to it. So sad because I really wanted to support the local guy in this case, but looks like I will be going to Petco for my Cichlids!

Thanks so much for the link to help us get going!

 

[colleen0309]

Good morning and welcome to the forum! You can still use the lfs for your stock, assuming they have good fish. Just don't rely on their advice. Come here for that.