Speeding up the cycling process??? How can I

[baileya74]

It's been two weeks and my cycling prcocess is taken to long.
I have a 46gal tank, 6 zebra Danios and 3 tetra. What can I do to speed the process up??

Can I just add some Ammonia into to the tank while the fish are in there? I think it may kill the fish. But this fish that are in the tank only purpose was to cycle it. I need some feed back

[emoore]

You can try to find some bio-spira and use that. It will cycle the tank quickly. Otherwise you will need to wait. Adding ammonia is not going to speed up your cycle (and not recommended with fish in the tank). Just be patient (cycling usually takes 4-6 weeks). If you try to rush things you will end up with many more problems.

[tomm10]

NOOOO! Don't add ammonia with fish in there!

The only way you're going to spped up the cycling process is by introducing the nitrifying bacteria to the tank. You can do this one of two ways.

1. Put media (filter cardtridges, handfuls of gravel, decorations) from another, established tank in your tank. It can be from another of your tanks if you have one or it can be from a friends tank. Some LFSs will sell or give you some filter material from one of their tanks. This way, part of thebacteria colony from an established tank colonizes your tank. You may likely still have elevated ammonia and/or nitrite levels for a few days after introducing the bacteria but it should significantly shorten the cycle time. The downside is you introducing good bacteria AND anything else that may be in that tank to yours.

2. Find the closest store that sells Bio Spira and get some. Bio Spira is the bacteria you need in a little packet. Many products claim to be "Cycling Bacteria" but really, Bio Spira is the only one worth anything. I used it on my 10g when I couldn't stand to see my fish suffer any longer during a fishy cycle and it brought my tank around in two days. Its about $11-15 for enough to treat a 30 gallon tank. You won't find it at Walmart, Petco, Petsmart or any other big chain store, only at a local shop.

Most tanks will tank about 4 weeks to cycle (sometimes a bit longer) so your about halfway through already.