Help Needed With Cycling And Fishless Cycling

[patwill4710]

Hi,
 
Im a new starter and have a 10 gallon tank.  Ive researched a few fish, but haven't bought any yet.  Im getting confused as to cycling and how best to start it.

Im planning to go down the tropical fish route, but i just need some help with cylcing.  I dont want all my fish to die, as i did it a couple of years ago, and they died within 2 months.
 
I understand the basics of cycling, i.e. that fish create waste and you need bacteria to counteract the waste.  Im really struggling (and i know im not the first) to get my head round this.
 
Any good advice as to counteract cycling would be greatly received.  Ive had my tank set up for a month now, but i want a bit of advice before adding fish to it
 
Patrick

 

[Gilli]

Hi
 
welcome to the forum. Read up on the link below which is in this forum  - Beginners resource centre - it will explain fishless cycling and answer any questions you might have. Anything thats not covered just ask here and someone will help.

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

 

[eaglesaquarium]

 
Any good advice as to counteract cycling would be greatly received.  Ive had my tank set up for a month now, but i want a bit of advice before adding fish to it
 
Patrick

 
 
The best way to help the fish is to add "artificial" ammonia to start the process of growing the bacteria colony you require and "cycle" the tank/filter without fish - aka "fishless cycling".  Link below.
 
Keep it simple:  
 
1) Buy ammonia with no surfactants, perfumes, etc.  Lone ingredients should be: water and ammonium hydroxide.
2) Buy a LIQUID test kit (the strips are really crap!)  Should include pH, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate.
3) Buy a medicine syringe (same kind as used for dosing children's liquid medicine) - makes dosing EASY.
 
4) Sit back and relax, let the bacteria do their thing.
5) Research, research, research...  The more you learn BEFORE you get the fish, the more likely you are to be successful.  This includes finding fish that are appropriate for your tap water conditions, your tank, and compatible tank mates.