Ok, we are ready to start trying to cycle our 29 gallon tank and I want to make sure we are doing this right. At the moment we have all our substrate in the tank, filter running, lightly planted (we plan to get more) and driftwood soaked and in. Please forgive the newbie questions, I've never really done this before and want to get it right.
To start, we found some of that "Bio Start" stuff. It's refrigerated and has been (according to the pet shop worker). I know I can't rely on that to really get the aquarium cycled, but is there any reason not to add it to help? I mean, we'll still add the ammonia and test until the levels are right, but that might help start things going. Also, I don't want to add Prime in while it's starting to cycle, right? Since that would neutralize the ammonia.
Here's my thinking. Add the ammonia, test the water (API master test kit), then add the bio start. 24 hours later, test the water again and add more ammonia accordingly. Keep that up until ammonia starts testing at 0, then add fish. Does that sound right?
Let me know if I'm missing anything or if something is wrong.
To start, we found some of that "Bio Start" stuff. It's refrigerated and has been (according to the pet shop worker). I know I can't rely on that to really get the aquarium cycled, but is there any reason not to add it to help? I mean, we'll still add the ammonia and test until the levels are right, but that might help start things going. Also, I don't want to add Prime in while it's starting to cycle, right? Since that would neutralize the ammonia.
Here's my thinking. Add the ammonia, test the water (API master test kit), then add the bio start. 24 hours later, test the water again and add more ammonia accordingly. Keep that up until ammonia starts testing at 0, then add fish. Does that sound right?
Let me know if I'm missing anything or if something is wrong.
