Help On Cycling 180 Gallon

[BluePhantom]

So I used to have a 60 awhile back but havnt had a tank four over 4 yrs. What are some tips that you can give to help cycle and how long should it take? I also have lots of would, rocks, plants and 3 filters that were used with this tank before when i bought it if that helps. I have been reading alot about the cycle process. also whats ppm stand for? Thanks everyone

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Cycling times vary greatly 3-10 weeks. ppm stands for parts per million.

 

[BluePhantom]

oh ok and why so much time? like does it depend on what u put in the tank? oh ok got it.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Primarily it depends on how many of the proper bacteria you have in your tap water. There are things that can be done to speed it up, temp, pH, etc.

I am working on a cycle with a bacteria additive product. It seemed to work. It still took about 2 weeks, plus I need to do a qualifying week. If you know someone who can give you some mature filter media material, it will definitely decrease the time.



Have a read through some of the cycling logs to get an idea of things.

 

[The chilly dipper]

oh ok and why so much time? like does it depend on what u put in the tank? oh ok got it.

there isnt really a set ammount of time but it depends on how thewell bilogical filter is establishing ..you will know this when your ammonia,nitrite levels are 0 and nitrate at around 30 -40 ppm

if a friend has a tank and has had fish in there for a while then steal a small amount of gravel and keep it wet during transit..better still steal a filter sponge to seed your tank and help get those bacteria kick started.

you could also try a fishless cycle. there are lots of those on here you can take info from.


(just reminding you)

the best way is to use someones mature media. that will shorten time. dont be tempted to buy bacterial additives as most dont work at all.

i would go for a fishless cycle matey using mature media.

get a good liquid test kit too like api masters kit.

also make sur your filters the right size for the tank too.

 

[BluePhantom]

yeah I have 3 canister filters and they have ran the tank before from the guy I bought it from. so im sure there is lots of bacteria there. Ok i need to go buy a kit thats what ill do. thanks chilly dipper. Yes thats good ill go read more into the logs about cycling but i jst didnt know if refers to any tank size. thanks eagle

 

[eaglesaquarium]

The procedure is the same, regardless of the size of the tank. The only difference is the amount you have to dose the ammonia.

Check out the calculator here to determine the dosage for your tank. If you are looking to do a fishless cycle (which I suggest you do, even with some used media, the fish will appreciate going into a fully cycled tank), you will need to get some ammonia without additives. The only ingredients are water and ammonium hydroxide. Ace Hardware carries it (Janitorial Strength 10% ammonia) and Boots has it in the UK.


Sorry I can't write more, but I'm off to t-ball with my son.

 

[BluePhantom]

The procedure is the same, regardless of the size of the tank. The only difference is the amount you have to dose the ammonia.

Check out the calculator here to determine the dosage for your tank. If you are looking to do a fishless cycle (which I suggest you do, even with some used media, the fish will appreciate going into a fully cycled tank), you will need to get some ammonia without additives. The only ingredients are water and ammonium hydroxide. Ace Hardware carries it (Janitorial Strength 10% ammonia) and Boots has it in the UK.


Sorry I can't write more, but I'm off to t-ball with my son.

Thats all good man. thanks for the info. Yeah i will deff do a fishess cycle.

 

[OldMan47]

The main factor for cycle time is how many bacteria you get from the water you use to fill your tank. If you get lucky and get a decent source starter bacterial colony you will cycle in about 4 weeks. If your water authority is somehow more successful than many are, you will see much longer times. Until you get started and see how things go, you will not know which situation you are facing. Be aware that we have yet to see, in recent tears, any product that actually reduces the time it takes to cycle a tank. It seems as if all of the "bacterial boosters" are composed mostly of dead organic matter that has no benefit, but no real detriment either, to our cycle times.

 

[BluePhantom]

Ok well I am gonna start the cycle sat. So ill see how it goes and make a log! Thanks for the help oldman