Returning Newbie

[bexhed]

Hi everyone!

I used to be a member on this site a few years back and we're just getting back into keeping fish. Looking to set up again soon but having a baby has left me with a less than perfect memory and things seemed to have changed a bit! So looking forward to boning up and getting some helpful advice from all you lovely lot!

Cheers peeps!

 

[KittyKat]

Welcome back, first bit of advice: +1 for fishless cycling! Just thought I'd sneak that in there...

 

[bexhed]

Thanks Kat! Cycling was going to be my first question as it goes. When we dismantled our tanks a couple of years ago, there was some new stuff about for cycling. Kept in fridges, advertised as live bacteria to 'instantly' cycle your tank. Is it any good do you know? I was hoping this stuff might be up to the job, otherwise I'm on the scrounge for a bit of filter media from someone's tank who won't mind swapping a bit of old for a bit of new if you get what I mean!!! Any takers out there in the Berks area that would like to help out?

 

[KittyKat]

I'd generally avoid them.. I hear that some do work, but most don't. Best method is household ammonia and time (I'm sure someone can link you to the article on here): set up tank, add the ammonia to 5ppm and keep it at that till the tank is cycled.
Aye, that's pretty much the only way I set up tanks nowadays as well I think there is a thread somewhere on here which lists willing media donors.