Lets Get This Ball Rolling! Er....i Mean Water!

[Shovelman]

Even though ive had my 2 tanks previously, i regard those as the dark ages as i used to do fish in cycles....Now that im more experienced i realize that's not the right way to go about it. So we have pure ammonia at the house, just wondering how much and when i need to add to my 65 gallon to get this baby revved up!

ps: my ammonia nitrate etc etc testing kit isnt here yet, and wont be soon as its on back order...

 

[eaglesaquarium]

So, you don't have mature media to steal from these earlier tanks?


Have a read through the link on fishless cycling in my sig. It will answer almost every question you have. If you have any mature media, it shouldn't take very long for this all to happen for you.

 

[Xraymark]

Check out the beginners resource post in the new freshwater section. All the info is there with a calculator for dosing ammonia.

If you can get some filter media from an established tank, the process will go quicker.

 

[Shovelman]

yeah i had to take down my earlier tank to make room FOR the new tank so unfortunately the old media is long gone...and thanks for letting me know where i can find the right dosage! But just a question. Is it possible to do a fish in cycle and it still be safe for the fish as long as water changes are frequent and the water parameters are checked on constantly? I know almost everyone frowns upon fish in cycles (cruelty wise) but in the dark ages when i did them i almost did daily water changes and everything went smoothly, no signs of stress from the fish....again im not saying that im going to do fish in cycle. Is it also true that fishless cycle does go somewhat faster?

 

[moochy13]

a fish in cycle can be done if you're prepared to put the effort in. you'd need to think about how many and what fish to start with though. you dont want so many that the water stats get out of control quickly and harm the fish, but i guess there wouldnt be much point adding one guppy and hoping it does enough to cycle 65g's

i cycled my 33G using 3 red eye tetra for about a week or so, then added a single smallish angel (forced move, was no other option) for another week or so. then i added 3 buenos aires tetra, another week, 3 more BA's, etc etc. eventually it got to the point where the water was always perfect without changing water, so i started stocking the rest of my fish. lots of water changes were done, but i dont mind. my hand was sort of forced by a couple of fish i had to rehome, sooner rather than later.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Fishless cycle will take you to the full stocking level faster. A fish-in cycle will get you to have some fish sooner.

I am not going to judge anyone who wants to do a proper fish-in cycle. If the person is prepared to do what is required for the sake of the fish (and starts with a very small stocking) and is willing to patiently attend the needs of the fish and faithfully change the water each and every time needed. If the person is going to be around the entire time and knows what to do, there is no reason NOT to do a fish-in cycle. But, if you can somehow find some mature media from any source, you would put yourself far ahead of the curve.

Ultimately, the decision is yours. I will back up your decision, whichever it is. You seem to be responsible and willing to do what it takes. I did a partial fishless cycle, and finished my cycle with fish, as I rescued some fish from a friend of a friend who was giving up her tank. My tank wasn't fully cycled for 5ppm daily ammonia, but it was fine for the amount of fish i rescued (that and I took the media as well!) so I never had to worry about ammonia spikes. Although, I did have some melting of my plants, which led to a mini-spike of 0.25ppm ammonia. I did a water change and haven't had an issue with ammonia/nitrite since.