New Tank - Newbie Cycling Questions

[SimonG]

Hi all,

Getting ready to set up my first tank, although I've been reading there's a lot to take in! (So please dont assume I know anything)

When I set up the tank, I need to leave the water in the tank to "cycle" for a couple of weeks, before adding fish.

Do I carry out water changes during this time? (as I expect bacteria are building up in the water during this time, and changing it will loose them?)

How do the live bacteria change the cycling process? (as sites and videos recommend them, but cycling instructions I've read don't cover how and when to add them?)

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

To "fishless cycle" a tank, you need to use dechlorinated water and provide food for the bacteria in the form of ammonia (typically trying to maintain 2-5ppm).

Ordinarily, you will not need to do a water change until the tank is fully cycled in 30+ days time, but if things stall you might.

 

[Essjay]

When I set up the tank, I need to leave the water in the tank to "cycle" for a couple of weeks, before adding fish.

As N0body has said, you don't just leave the water for a couple of weeks. You need to add ammonia and wait until the filter is cycled, which will take a lot more than a couple of weeks.

Do I carry out water changes during this time? (as I expect bacteria are building up in the water during this time, and changing it will loose them?

The bacteria don't build up in the water, they grow tightly bound to the filter media. Changing water, if it is needed during a fishless cycle, will not remove any bacteria.

How do the live bacteria change the cycling process? (as sites and videos recommend them, but cycling instructions I've read don't cover how and when to add them?)

By live bacteria, do you mean those bottles of stuff that claim to cycle your tank? You need to be aware that most of them don't work. There are a couple of makes that are reputed to help but even they don't always work. In my opinion, if you want to use one of these products you should only use it to speed up a fishless cycle - since there won't be any fish in the tank, if the bottled bacteria don't work no fish get harmed. Don't assume it will cycle the filter in a couple of weeks making it safe to add fish.


You say you've been reading, but can I suggest you read the following a few times over, to get your head round it properly.
This explains how to do a fishless cycle:
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/113861-fishless-cycling/

and there are lots of other useful threads in the beginners resource centre:
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/277264-beginners-resource-center/

 

[Gvilleguy]

Also, if you read the "do and do not" list in my signature - it answers some of the typical questions not addressed in the resource center.