Whats The Best Way To Cycle A Tank ?

[bighammerfan]

Whats the best way and how long for? many thanks

 

[fatheadminnow]

Whats the best way and how long for? many thanks

Fishless is the best way, and on average takes 4-6 weeks.

Here is a link to "how to fishless cycle."

-FHM

 

[Truck]

Whats the best way and how long for? many thanks

to get some mature media, then carry on as your doing a fishless cycle

 

[7755matt]

What about the pots of live bacteria you can get from fish shops? I think they work, seem to have in my tank anyway

 

[Truck]

What about the pots of live bacteria you can get from fish shops? I think they work, seem to have in my tank anyway

no theyre rubbish non of it works, you used to be able to get bio spira and that worked, but theyve stopped making it. its a gimick to grab money. it doesnt contain the bacteria we want neither.

 

[bighammerfan]

oh ok thanks. i was lead to believe that putting a few goldfish in was the best way.

 

[Socks]

You can cycle with fish if you want to,but you need to stay right on top of daily water changes and testing,But Certainly not with goldfish,they are a messy fish,and if they survive the cycling (daily testing and water changes important !) Your going to have a fish that can go 12+ inches long and is not suitable for a tropical tank.

 

[OldMan47]

A fish-in cycle can be done with great success. As Socks said, it is a lot of work to do it right. You should use fish that you will eventually want in the tank when you are done. That way when you are done the stocking for the tank will have already begun. If you believe that goldfish should be put into a fish tank and then just thrown away after the cycle is done, you could follow the LFS advice. I don't tend to think of my fish as disposable components so I won't use that approach.

 

[Inchworm]

Until a few years ago, almost everyone cycled with fish. Now this new method of using bottled ammonia, or fishless cycling, has caught on and seems to work very well.

When I start a new tank, I just take some old filter media from an established tank and add it to a new filter. Since it contains living beneficial bacteria it is ready to support fish immediately. The number of fish that can be added is proportionate to the amount of bacteria in the media. As time goes by new fish can be gradually added to the tank and the colony of bacteria will grow to handle the added ammonia they produce. This method is called "cloning a tank."

To get this filter media, you can ask a friend, or someone on the forum who lives near you for some. Or, get in touch with your local aquarium society and ask if someone can help you out. They are usually friendly folks who want to see others succeed in the hobby.

Here's a link to the thread that lists some of the forum members willing to give you some media:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=150631

 

[OldMan47]

As a matter of fact both Inchworm and I are on that list, along with lots of other folks who may be closer to you.