Steve's Fishless Cycle

[waterdrop]

A week is recommended, and from then until it's convenient to get fish.

yes, the original intention was just to try to get you repeating for the longer part of a week, hopefully until you could get fish for your first stocking. I started using a week because it was easier to describe and made the concept simpler. WD

 

[steve26-2008]

I was going to do the water change tonight lower the heater and get fish tomorrow if that ok. I need to clean the gravel as it's brown, but what is the best way of doing it and what percentage of water should be changed.

 

[Aqua Tom]

I was going to do the water change tonight lower the heater and get fish tomorrow if that ok. I need to clean the gravel as it's brown, but what is the best way of doing it and what percentage of water should be changed.

You need to change as much water as you can. It is recomended that you drain right down to the substrate. Use a gravel vac to both drain the tank & clean the substrate.

I suppose it would not be unfeasable to actualy take the substrate out & give it a good wash by hand seeing as you will be draining the tank completely.

Remember to turn your heater off 10 mins before you start they water change. Then leave it off for half an hour after the change. This will give the thermostat a chance to set.

A~T

 

[waterdrop]

Timing sounds ok, the bacteria are pretty slow to start dying off in the first 24 hours or so. Agree with AT, you want your water change to clean the gravel and be down to the gravel, that's what's meant by "the big water change!"

~~waterdrop~~

 

[steve26-2008]

I did the water change down to the gravel, refilled, adjusted the heater and got myself 6 cardinals today. Thank you for all of the input to help me to cycle my tank

 

[Joshwainwright]

Great to hear everything is complete!

 

[Aqua Tom]

We want pictures