HE CANT BE RIGHT SURELY!!

[pandapops001]

I've just called petsmart, the only local tropical fish supplier close to me, unfortunately.

I informed him that i had done everything as informed, and began my fishless cycle 3 days ago, he then said that they had not told us to do a fishless cycle, and that in trying to do this i would be potentially putting my fish at risk, i told him that i'd heard fishless cycling was kinder to fish, and he said it would be fruitless, take for ever and be a complete waste of time, and that using fish was the only correct way to do it.

When i said i didnt want my 2yr to witness the results of any fish that had suffered as a result, he abruptly told me it was the only way i could start an aquarium, and if i was going to be so concerned about the if's and but's i should consider goldfish instead as they are "simpler to keep"

He asked how i'd started my cycle, and i explained that, i'd added some fish flakes so that the rot would cause the ammonia, and i explained about the cycle product that i used, he did everything short of swear at me, told me it was absolutely ridiculous, and i should of listened closer at the store, that the tank would create its own bacteria if just left for 10 days, and adding the fish would start the cycle

Please help, he's now advised me to empty the tank and start over, is this right? and does anyone know where i can buy a testing kit to make sure the water is safe (for home delivery in the UK), because if this guy is wrong then i really dont want to go back to that shop

Thanks

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Fishless cycle is arguably better that fish because it does not harm any fish and allows for the tank to have more fish put in straight away than fish cycling does.

You should phone back and tell the guy he's an ass and that fishless cycling is cheaper, kinder to the fish and more effective.

Goldfish are in fact much harder to keep than tropical fish as they require a huge amount of space and many fancies are suseptable to disease like Swim Bladder Disorder.

You can get testing kits from Aquatics Online. I ordered from them recently and they were very good.

The only problem you might have with your cycle is the means of getting amonia into the tank as the same amount has to be added to the tank daily (I think) throughout the cycle.

You would be better off using pure amonia, I think it's availabe in Boots or similar. Maybe do a search as I read that someone got it recetly.

HTH

 

[Alien_spawn]

If you are doing a fishless cycle, My understanding (as I've never done this myself)
is that you need to add ammonia in the tank (flakes will take to long to convert to ammonia)

The biggest problem facing us in the UK in doing a fishless cycle is obtaining a source for ammonia. Has anyone in the UK found anywhere?

What I did (admit a long time ago now) was to buy some hardy fish (3 of) that would last through cycling of the tank. They all suvived the cycling

Do you know anyone that has an already cycled tank? If so ask if you could have some of the media to put in your filter (that is the quickest way to cycle a tank)

Also you say you want to get a test kit? you really need one when cycling a tank

 

[timbo_ska]

Ive been looking for ammonia for ages, apart from that its down to trusty neons or daino's - ive been lucky with neons in cycling

 

[pandapops001]

What are the test kits called? i've searched high and low for pure ammonia, i was told it was called nh3, but to no avail, i havent tried boots yet, but will have a look.

Thanks again

 

[ChriX]

LOL @ cheese, he is indeed an ass.

Stick with your fishless cycling, it will be worth it in the end. As for test kits look here its the section for the kits I use on the site cheese mentioned. There are many other types if you go up a section, but its just a matter of choice. If you go for the Hagen ones, get the yellow ammonia one rather than the orange.

 

[tstenback]

Here is the post from the beginners forum that states where to get the ammonia in the UK thanks to Gixer Ammonia

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Here is the post from the beginners forum that states where to get the ammonia in the UK thanks to Gixer Ammonia

Ah, knew there was one! It's nice of you to dig it out.



Oh, and I wouldn't advise on using neons for cycling. They are not the hardiest of fish but I think that danios work well.

 

[R3GG]

As Cheese Specialist said, you can get testing kits from Aquatics online, i got mine today - Nutrafin ones, they are v.good.

 

[buggyboutbettas]

AAARRRGGGG! chain LFS employees are the dumbest in the world! ugh. sorry, I couldn't help myself.

 

[luxum]

Of course the Petsmart guy doesn't like the fishless cycling idea, it means you'll buy less fish since you won't have to replace the ones that don't make it through the establishment period. I've done a fishless cycle with bottled ammonia (why are you having trouble finding it? it's a very cheap old fashioned cleaning product which is available here in grocery, discount, and drug stores) and the tank was able to cycle much harder without stressing my fish. I don't know about you, but watching fish suffering the effects of high ammonia and nitrite is not fun. Finding them dead and knowing that it was entirely preventable is worse.

The problem with the fishless cycling idea is that it is basically something only active 'net researchers ever find out about. It's a fairly new idea that hasn't trickled its way into the mainstream yet, so he scoffs at it probably because he doesn't understand it and has never tried it.

Switch to using bottled ammonia (without surfactants or perfumes, store brand is usually just the ticket) and get your reading to 5ppm, then continue to add that much ammonia every day until the nitrite spikes. They tell you to then daily add half the ammonia you were previously, although i don't really understand why to be honest. When you are done, do a big water change to get rid of those nitrates and get your fish. I've used this method to cycle my tank very hard, it took about a week and a half with decorations and gravel from an established tank, but that's the low end of the time frame of course. I fully stocked when i was done and there were no ammonia or nitrite spikes at all, the fish never had to be exposed to those toxic levels. This method works great, don't let some ignorant store clerk lead you astray, they generally are very clueless and their job is to sell you merchandise, not provide for the best home for your pets.

 

[Lateral Line]

I would agree, the guy is simply looking after his sales, not what is best.

I would also agree that Neons are far from the best fish to try a fish cycle with. They are very sensitive to nitrogen pollution. If you have to cycle with fish, Zebra Danios are probably the hardiest.

 

[Dragonscales]

Do you know anyone that has an already cycled tank? If so ask if you could have some of the media to put in your filter (that is the quickest way to cycle a tank)

I've read that gravel from a trusted, cycled tank has the same effect, never tried it myself though.

 

[Fiddlesticks]

Petsmart wants all your fish to die so you have to buy more. Following recommendations from this forum,I am in the process of using filter media from my established tank to cycle my other one. I will let you know how it goes.

 

[flintstone]

he scoffs at it probably because he doesn't understand it and has never tried it.

Switch to using bottled ammonia (without surfactants or perfumes, store brand is usually just the ticket)

don't let some ignorant store clerk lead you astray, they generally are very clueless and their job is to sell you merchandise, not provide for the best home for your pets.

Very wise advice, Luxum. The clerk is obviously a "know-it all" moron.