Cycle question

Max

Max

It's me
Jan 26, 2004
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Hello everyone I just have a few quick questions for you about fishless cycle in fw tanks. I know how to do it in a s.w. tank and was just wondering if I could use the same methods in f.w. ? I was gifted a 20 gallon tank from a friend that was moving and really didn't want to set up a nano . My plan was to go to a local super market and get a small bit of fish or a cocktail shrimp put it in the water and let our friendly bacteria work it's magic. I also have a 10 gallon that I'm keeping a betta in currently. I could take part of the filter media and use that to jump start my cycle. I know there probably isn't much bateria living there but, I don't need much and it's also disease free,"except for being spoiled rotten of course."
Would this work?
 
That will work, but straight ammonia is used more frequently to allow your to target a specific bio-load, rather than just whatever the rotting chunk produces, and reduce the nasty odor. Or, feeding the tank the same amount as you would feed the fish--but ammonia is cheaper, and less prone to causing secondary problems.
 
I currently have a 20g that I am cycling. I'm using 3 platy for my cycling. Keeping a close eye on the water parameters and frequent water changes. So far they seem to be doing okay.

I would look into maybe doing a fishless cycling.
 
Imagine said:
I currently have a 20g that I am cycling. I'm using 3 platy for my cycling. Keeping a close eye on the water parameters and frequent water changes. So far they seem to be doing okay.

I would look into maybe doing a fishless cycling.
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She is, the fish or shrimp she is talking about adding are dead already. ;) I'd just do it with ammonia myself, but I am prone to gagging fits when I smell rotting things. Plus, as OG pointed out, the bioload factor is nice bonus. Are you planning on plantnig this tank or anything? If you plant very heavily you can skip the cycle (or silent cycle). Just a thought, if you're a reef keeper, then plants would probably be easy enough.
 
If you decide to use ammonia make sure its 100% ammonia. Usually the cheapest ammonia is what you want. If it foams or is scented stay away from it.
 
Thanks to you all but, boy is it hard to find unadulterated ammonia. It all seems to have perfumes or surfacants ,"soap", mixed in it and that can't be good for anything but the floors :). I'll keep looking though unless you all can point me in the right direction.
Harlock thank you for asking I was planning on setting up a species tank with annual killi fish. I wasn't planning on planting the tank as I wanted to more or less run with their natural life cycle. I suppose I could put a few mini water lillies or something like that in there though hmm. They could take the dry period and would give my fish somewhere extra to hide and might even bloom hmm. Yes, by the way I am a reef keeper.... so well crap now I can't decide to go planted community or my species killi decisions, decisions. I would just do both but, I'm starting to run a little short on room. What do you guys think any opinions?
Thank you
Chris
:)
 
I see your location is TN, here in Ohio at Kroger (pretty sure you got em there too) the store brand ammonia is pure. I have shaken it many times to see while stocking that aisle and it does not foam or smell of any detergents. Do not mess with the lemon stuff, just get the pure clear ammonia.
 
Harlock said:
Other folks have suggested Seamist brand from Wal-Mart. Seems like everywhere has a Wal-Mart now.
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For Canadian aquarists, Wal-Mart carries Goldex brand that is ammonia (5%) & water. Safeway also sells their house brand, a choice of with orwithout additives...the non-additive one is clear and with a white label.

mishi8
who thought it was going to be a lot harder to find plain ammonia around here! :)
 
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