Fishy Cycling

[Seasand]

:help: Can some-one tell me if once I have my tank ready to go, can I switch everything on without adding anything eg: ammonia etc. and let it run for a couple of days until I get the three fish that I am going to start the fishy cycle with?
If it`s not advisable to do that then will I have to wait until I get the fish before I put the water in the tank? :confused:

Tank
54" x 12" x18" (42UK gal ) or (50 US gal )
Tetratec EX 700 external filter
300 watt heater

Thanks

[Rbishop]

yes, you run the filters now and the lights. It will get the normal bloom overwith and let pH stablize.

Do you have a good liquid test kit and dechlor?

[Reddog80p]

Very important to have a good liquid test kit, dechlor and a gravel vaccum for gravel vaccuing and water removal during waterchanges. When doing a fishy cycle you will need to test your water parameters daily, and do a waterchage whenever your ammonia level is over .25 ppm . If you are keeping tropical fish get your water temp to stabilize before adding your fish. Get a thermometer to hang on the inside of your tank to verify that your heater is where it needs to be. Use hardy fish to cycle with, and keep up on those waterchanges! :) Welcome to AC! :thumbsup:

[littlecich]

:help: Can some-one tell me if once I have my tank ready to go, can I switch everything on without adding anything eg: ammonia etc. and let it run for a couple of days until I get the three fish that I am going to start the fishy cycle with?
If it`s not advisable to do that then will I have to wait until I get the fish before I put the water in the tank? :confused:

Tank
54" x 12" x18" (42UK gal ) or (50 US gal )
Tetratec EX 700 external filter
300 watt heater

Thanks
You may want to do some reading to get going first. A good place to start is to check out the "Freshwater Newbie Forum" here at at Aquaria Central.

If you would like to get a little better understanding of cycling a tank, there is a really good article at http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/fishless_cycling.php While this article is pretty technical, it will help you to get an idea of how cycling works.

[Seasand]

yes ,I have API Freshwater Master Test Kit and Nutrafin AquaPlus water conditioner.

[BoredAgain]

You might as well get a Python (http://www.pythonproducts.com/aqprod.html) too...you'll be doing a lot of water changes if you want to keep your fish. Lugging around buckets full of water 3 to 4 times a day will make your forearms buff though.

[Seasand]

You might as well get a Python (http://www.pythonproducts.com/aqprod.html) too...you'll be doing a lot of water changes if you want to keep your fish. Lugging around buckets full of water 3 to 4 times a day will make your forearms buff though.
Hi,
this may sound like a stupid question to you but bare with me.You mentioned that I might want to get myself a Python for water changes so I`ve had a look at them.I was going to buy one then thought to myself, When I go to replace the water that I have taken out of the tank how do I get it to the desired temprature if it is going to come straight from the cold water tap to the tank?
Can you help with this?

[Rbishop]

I hook up mine to the kitchen sink, it has the adjustable lever that blends hot and cold together...

[C.Anderson]

Hi,
this may sound like a stupid question to you but bare with me.You mentioned that I might want to get myself a Python for water changes so I`ve had a look at them.I was going to buy one then thought to myself, When I go to replace the water that I have taken out of the tank how do I get it to the desired temprature if it is going to come straight from the cold water tap to the tank?
Can you help with this?

My problem isn't the temp...I'd hook mine to the sink too. My problem is the chlorine/chloramine. In a 300gal tank...I don't know whether the concentration of chlorine/chloramine in 150gal of tap water would affect the fish before I could treat it in the tank. I considered one of those tap mount filters...but if I recall they soften the water considerably don't they?

Not to jack the thread...but any advice on how that setup works would be great. 150gal water changes once a week with 5gal buckets sucks, and commandeering the entire kitchen for 2-4hrs on Sunday isn't making the wife happy either.

Back to topic!!

Cris

[ChiaJesus]

You might as well get a Python (http://www.pythonproducts.com/aqprod.html) too...you'll be doing a lot of water changes if you want to keep your fish. Lugging around buckets full of water 3 to 4 times a day will make your forearms buff though.

Haha, funny you say that. I'm pretty new at this myself, and after doing (what seems like) my 1000th water change yesterday I was thinking to myself, "Geez...these buckets are beginning to feel lighter."

I'm going to get a Python this weekend. :grinyes:

[rich311k]

I adjust temperature at the tap as well. You add enough dechlor as needed for the whole tank volume. It does not have to be instant. I adjust temperature go down stairs and pour in the Prime as the tank fills. Python is the greastest invention since the all galss tank.

[C.Anderson]

I adjust temperature at the tap as well. You add enough dechlor as needed for the whole tank volume. It does not have to be instant. I adjust temperature go down stairs and pour in the Prime as the tank fills. Python is the greastest invention since the all galss tank.

Good to know!! My tank is 15' from my kitchen sink, and sits about 2' higher lol.

Thanks =).

Cris