How To Clean Tank After A Fishless Cycle

[scotty]

hopefully be getting my fish on sunday after my fishless cycle,what is the best way to clean my tank,and what to clean and not too clean,and what to clean with,don't want to loose my bacteria after all this time,i want to get my fish on sunday,so can i clean it on saturday,would that be ok,don't want to leave it too long and killing the bacteria

cheers
scott

 

[doresy]

hopefully be getting my fish on sunday after my fishless cycle,what is the best way to clean my tank,and what to clean and not too clean,and what to clean with,don't want to loose my bacteria after all this time,i want to get my fish on sunday,so can i clean it on saturday,would that be ok,don't want to leave it too long and killing the bacteria

cheers
scott

Hi and well done for completing a fishless cycle. If you are now shifting the ammonia that you are adding in under 8 hours with absolutely now show of nitrite then yes you are ready.
As you know your tank should be brimming with nitrate so a 100% water change is required before adding fish. As far as cleaning is concerned you will not ruin your hard work. Clean any obvious algae from the glass using an aqua safe scourer or scraper. Remove any dead or dying vegitation. I would leave the filter as is (unless you have been using rotting food as an ammonia source)
When I have completed a cycle (and there have been many) I use this method.
The night before adding fish I clean the tank as suggested, do a 100% water change then add 1 last dose of ammonia.
In the morning check the ammonia and nitrite levels and if they are both a definate ZERO(and they should be)I then go out and buy most of my previously arranged stock and add straight away.

 

[scotty]

hopefully be getting my fish on sunday after my fishless cycle,what is the best way to clean my tank,and what to clean and not too clean,and what to clean with,don't want to loose my bacteria after all this time,i want to get my fish on sunday,so can i clean it on saturday,would that be ok,don't want to leave it too long and killing the bacteria

cheers
scott

Hi and well done for completing a fishless cycle. If you are now shifting the ammonia that you are adding in under 8 hours with absolutely now show of nitrite then yes you are ready.

i thought it was 12hrs

 

[doresy]

12 hours is good, 8 is better

The main thing is that both the ammonia and nitrite goes to an absolute zero in no longer that 12 hours after the dose of ammonia has been added (after the 'nitrite spike' that is) and continues to do that for a week (to be on the safe side)

 

[scotty]

thanks for that

 

[waterdrop]

never knew dorsey could be such a task master

 

[scotty]

if i clean my tank out,say at 5pm sat,add final dose of ammonia,would it be ok,to leave it until 5pm sunday before adding fish?

thanks
scott

 

[waterdrop]

o yeah, you'll be fine! WD

 

[scotty]

do i add the de-chlorinator all at once to the tank,or into each individual bucket as i am filling it?

 

[OldMan47]

If you are using buckets, put the right amount in each bucket while it is filling. By the time the bucket is full the dechlorinator will be well mixed into the water and the water will be ready to go into the tank.