View Full Version : How long will bacteria live without fish?
Dub-Dub
08-21-2006, 1:55 PM
Just as the title says... my goldfish died last week, and while I ponder how to restock, how long do you think I can go before having to recycle? It is a 29g. Could I do anything to produce amonia for the bacteria to live off of, short of putting another fish in there?
isgrimner
08-21-2006, 2:10 PM
I'm just guessing since I'm a beginner myself but from what I've read, you might be able to put a raw shrimp in it and as it decomposses, it should create amonia. I've read the fishless cycle method that makes use of raw shrimp.
You could try to add ammonia to the tank. Or buy a couple feeder fish for $0.10 ea.
Rowangel
08-21-2006, 2:34 PM
I would buy ammonia to keep the cycle going. I'm not a fan of buying fish to cycle a tank then returning them when your done, cheep or not.
fishcatch22
08-21-2006, 2:36 PM
i'd say the raw shrimp method would work the best.
DaisyTattoo
08-21-2006, 2:40 PM
With an already cycled tank, wouldn't simply adding fish food do the trick? Won't this create an ammonia?
fishcatch22
08-21-2006, 2:43 PM
With an already cycled tank, wouldn't simply adding fish food do the trick? Won't this create an ammonia?hmmmmm...... you're right, jodi, that would make ammo, wouldn't it? I guess it depends on how long you're going without fish. if you're only going a few days to a week without them, I guess the flakes would work. but if you're gonna take longer, the shrimp might be the best way to go.
TwoTankAmin
08-21-2006, 3:55 PM
Go get a bottle of pure ammonia from the super market. Dose 3-4 drops/10 gals daily at the same time to maintain the cycle. Before introducing new fish make sure you can test 0 ammonia and nitrites 90 mins after dosing or else the tank is not fully cycled for a full load.
Whether you dose 3 or 4 drops is a function of intended fish load to be introduced. If it is a light load, dose 3, it a full load, dose 4.