What Is The Correct Way To Cycle A Tank?

[edgun88]

Hi guys,

I'm new here and I'm sure people have posted about this topic before. I did a search but didn't find any adequate information.

ANYWAY.... I need some help! Here is my situation: I have a 55 gal. freshwater tank that has been set up for about a week. It's properly filtered, properly heated, everything is fine. I'm testing the water daily and right now the pH is 7.1 and the ammonia is 1.0 ppm. No Nitrites or Nitrates, yet. Read on....

What I need to know is how to cycle the tank. I've heard tons of different ways to do it, and I know one option is to buy fish to cycle it for you. But that means that most of them die. So I am currently trying the "fishless cycle" by just adding pure ammonia to the tank. I'm wondering how long this will take to cycle and even if it works.

So please give me some advice on how you guys did it. I'm really looking foreward to this tank, and I just want to do it right so my fish are happy.

 

[riverman444]

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=88578

The above should help.

Whether to use fish or not, is really a personal choice. I prefer to use fish and I rarely lose any of them. I do this by CONSTANTLY checking the water stats, sometimes 3 to four times a day for the first few weeks, and keeping a constant eye (wife helps too) on my fishes activity and body movements. I try not to add any chemicals but have to use Amquel+ every now and then if the spikes get too high. As far as fish go, I generally buy a few feeder goldfish as they are hardy and can really make a mess. WHen I am done with them, I give them to my neighbor. He feeds them to his oscars. Yes, it may sound barbaric, but hey, they were "feeders" in the beginning. Result: My tank is cycled the natural way and my neighbors oscar gets Ich and parasite free food

It's really up to you. Both methods work.

To answer your question, there really is no "Right" way to cycle a tank. Perception is reality and we all differ.

 

[laurasmithuk]

i cycle my tanks with fish and like riverman try and keep a close eye on fish.

this is the old way of cycling tanks. many people prefer cycling with ammonia as they believe fish should not be kept in water that its not 100% ok.

i tend to use hardy fish ie platties and they do fine.

its all down to personal prefernce just do what you think is best and good luck!