PLease Dont Cycle Tank with Fish In it use my method:
Set up the tank with all the equipment needed (filtration, heater, light, protein skimmer for marine and reef tanks). Start it up, setting the heater to a temperature around 80 F, then simply put a uncooked cocktail shrimp. The decaying shrimp will release ammonia and the tank starts the cycling process. To further speed up this process the tank can be seeded with gravel from an existing tank, filter cartridges from established filters, filter media of any kind, biowheels, drift wood, rocks, all taken from established tanks.
Bacteria colonize all of the above, so seeding basically means the introduction of existing bacteria colonies into a new tank. The decaying food will provide ammonia for these colonies to settle and expand in the new tank.
The time frame of this method does not vary much with the time needed using the classical form of cycling. Dont add Fish until all tests read 0 (Ammonia, Nitrites). When you finally add Fish dont put to many in as This will trigger another growth of bacteria with the spikes in ammonia and nitrites.
These re-renewed spikes however will be much shorter and less intense compared to the initial ones experienced during the primary cycle. Consequences for the fish are minimal, making this at least fish-friendlier.
Remember that a tank has cycled if ammonia and nitrites are back at 0 ppm. At this time you can stock the tank with fish. If no fish are introduced, the bacteria will need to be fed (Which is by the shrimp in the tank dont take it out until ammonia and nitrites are 0 or pure ammonia as outlined below. NOTE: It may get stinky!!!
Using Pure Ammonia to Cycle
Instead of using shrimp for ammonia production, we can also introduce pure ammonia to the tank.
After the tank has been set up (see above), add 5 drops of ammonia per 10 Gallons into the water on a daily basis.
Ammonia will rise to 5 ppm and higher. As soon as nitrites are measurable, reduce the ammonia input to 3 drops per day. Nitrites will rise to similar levels. Keep adding 2-3 drops until the measurements of ammonia and nitrites come out with 0 ppm. The tank has then completely cycled.
Seeding the tank can significantly enhance this process. 7 days for a complete cycle are not unheard of; otherwise this methods takes 2-3 weeks.
The bacteria colonies, using this method, are certainly large enough to handle a well-stocked aquarium.
Some aspects to consider:
The tank has to be well oxygenated as the bacteria require oxygen
The ammonia used should be free of any perfumes and additives
Do not treat the water with conditioners that remove ammonia
Water changes are only necessary if the ammonia and nitrite levels are far off level, which should only occur if more than 5 drops is used per 10 Gallons of water. After the cycle has been completed use activated carbon to remove any possible perfume or additives, which might have been in the ammonia.
After stocking your tank with fish, general maintenance of the aquarium is all that is required. The bacteria will adjust to the fish load and if you plan to add new fish the bacteria will have to adjust again.
Keep in mind to feed your tank with ammonia until you introduce fish. The waste generated by your fish will then provide the tank with all that is needed to balance the environment.
With this method, all aquarium types can be cycled in a very short period of time.
Professionals use the ammonia drop method to keep live sand and rock alive, which they sell in their stores.
We recommend you read about the nitrogen cycle so you have an understanding about what happens during this cycling period. You will also need ammonia, nitrite and nitrate test kits to perform your daily testing of the water.
ANy Questions please respond, I hope thats helpful!!!!!
Set up the tank with all the equipment needed (filtration, heater, light, protein skimmer for marine and reef tanks). Start it up, setting the heater to a temperature around 80 F, then simply put a uncooked cocktail shrimp. The decaying shrimp will release ammonia and the tank starts the cycling process. To further speed up this process the tank can be seeded with gravel from an existing tank, filter cartridges from established filters, filter media of any kind, biowheels, drift wood, rocks, all taken from established tanks.
Bacteria colonize all of the above, so seeding basically means the introduction of existing bacteria colonies into a new tank. The decaying food will provide ammonia for these colonies to settle and expand in the new tank.
The time frame of this method does not vary much with the time needed using the classical form of cycling. Dont add Fish until all tests read 0 (Ammonia, Nitrites). When you finally add Fish dont put to many in as This will trigger another growth of bacteria with the spikes in ammonia and nitrites.
These re-renewed spikes however will be much shorter and less intense compared to the initial ones experienced during the primary cycle. Consequences for the fish are minimal, making this at least fish-friendlier.
Remember that a tank has cycled if ammonia and nitrites are back at 0 ppm. At this time you can stock the tank with fish. If no fish are introduced, the bacteria will need to be fed (Which is by the shrimp in the tank dont take it out until ammonia and nitrites are 0 or pure ammonia as outlined below. NOTE: It may get stinky!!!
Using Pure Ammonia to Cycle
Instead of using shrimp for ammonia production, we can also introduce pure ammonia to the tank.
After the tank has been set up (see above), add 5 drops of ammonia per 10 Gallons into the water on a daily basis.
Ammonia will rise to 5 ppm and higher. As soon as nitrites are measurable, reduce the ammonia input to 3 drops per day. Nitrites will rise to similar levels. Keep adding 2-3 drops until the measurements of ammonia and nitrites come out with 0 ppm. The tank has then completely cycled.
Seeding the tank can significantly enhance this process. 7 days for a complete cycle are not unheard of; otherwise this methods takes 2-3 weeks.
The bacteria colonies, using this method, are certainly large enough to handle a well-stocked aquarium.
Some aspects to consider:
The tank has to be well oxygenated as the bacteria require oxygen
The ammonia used should be free of any perfumes and additives
Do not treat the water with conditioners that remove ammonia
Water changes are only necessary if the ammonia and nitrite levels are far off level, which should only occur if more than 5 drops is used per 10 Gallons of water. After the cycle has been completed use activated carbon to remove any possible perfume or additives, which might have been in the ammonia.
After stocking your tank with fish, general maintenance of the aquarium is all that is required. The bacteria will adjust to the fish load and if you plan to add new fish the bacteria will have to adjust again.
Keep in mind to feed your tank with ammonia until you introduce fish. The waste generated by your fish will then provide the tank with all that is needed to balance the environment.
With this method, all aquarium types can be cycled in a very short period of time.
Professionals use the ammonia drop method to keep live sand and rock alive, which they sell in their stores.
We recommend you read about the nitrogen cycle so you have an understanding about what happens during this cycling period. You will also need ammonia, nitrite and nitrate test kits to perform your daily testing of the water.
ANy Questions please respond, I hope thats helpful!!!!!
