Why cycle?

[blasterman_]

Most of us do the best we can for our fish with the knowledge we have and realize that we'll always be learning.

The nitrogen cycle is one of the most basic concepts of biology, and among the easiest of all natural processes to maintain with stability in a consumer fish tank. It's the *lack* of common sense and a consumer addiction to 'gadgetry' and chemical warfare that causes problems. Gravel, fish and water current are the only things required for keeping a stable biological filter for the life of the tank. We've learned this lesson the hard way in reef tanks.

There are three basic ways to cycle an aquarium; (1) dump straight ammonia in it as an initiator, (2) use substrate or filter media from an established tank or bed, or (3) use 'junk' fish that are hardy enough to not be bothered by the cycle.

I've used all three methods, and while all three work with common sense, a combination of #2 and #3 might be the easiest and most stable for the beginner to do. For new fresh tanks I prefer tinfoil barbs to start the tank cycle because they're cheap, eat anything, produce huge ammounts of waste and ammonia to seed bacteria, don't tend to carry parasites like ick, and aren't bothered by the ammo cycle given they can practically live in raw sewage and thrive. After about month and a half I take the tinfoils back to the fish store and get my real fish and consider the tank 'cycled'.

Zebra danios are another option.

 

[Cory Keeper]

The nitrogen cycle is one of the most basic concepts of biology, and among the easiest of all natural processes to maintain with stability in a consumer fish tank. It's the *lack* of common sense and a consumer addiction to 'gadgetry' and chemical warfare that causes problems. Gravel, fish and water current are the only things required for keeping a stable biological filter for the life of the tank. We've learned this lesson the hard way in reef tanks.

There are three basic ways to cycle an aquarium; (1) dump straight ammonia in it as an initiator, (2) use substrate or filter media from an established tank or bed, or (3) use 'junk' fish that are hardy enough to not be bothered by the cycle.

I've used all three methods, and while all three work with common sense, a combination of #2 and #3 might be the easiest and most stable for the beginner to do. For new fresh tanks I prefer tinfoil barbs to start the tank cycle because they're cheap, eat anything, produce huge ammounts of waste and ammonia to seed bacteria, don't tend to carry parasites like ick, and aren't bothered by the ammo cycle given they can practically live in raw sewage and thrive. After about month and a half I take the tinfoils back to the fish store and get my real fish and consider the tank 'cycled'.

Zebra danios are another option.

Shall we go through this again. This is a FW setup, not a reef, stop trying to make SW ecology apply to a FW tank, it doesn't work. When you refer to 'gadgetry' I'm assuming you mean the filter, to which most will agree is the most important aspect to a FW tank.

Also, a fishy cycle borders on cruel, and if exposed to that enough, will die. I'm surprised the LFS lets you take them back at all. And a fishless cycle is no more difficult, if not less stressful. Add a source of ammonia, (dead plants, shrimp, fish food or pure ammonia) monitor levels, once cycled start adding fish. All done, no problem. Yes you are looking at a bare tank for a little while, but alot less stressful on you and your fish.

 

[wataugachicken]

There are three basic ways to cycle an aquarium; (1) dump straight ammonia in it as an initiator, (2) use substrate or filter media from an established tank or bed, or (3) use 'junk' fish that are hardy enough to not be bothered by the cycle.

I've used all three methods, and while all three work with common sense, a combination of #2 and #3 might be the easiest and most stable for the beginner to do. For new fresh tanks I prefer tinfoil barbs to start the tank cycle because they're cheap, eat anything, produce huge ammounts of waste and ammonia to seed bacteria, don't tend to carry parasites like ick, and aren't bothered by the ammo cycle given they can practically live in raw sewage and thrive. After about month and a half I take the tinfoils back to the fish store and get my real fish and consider the tank 'cycled'.

Zebra danios are another option.

I feel really bad for the person who sees tinfoil barbs as real fish, unknowingly buys all those wonderfully damaged ones you just returned, and wonders what they did wrong when their barbs die an early death because of all the toxins you exposed them to earlier on. doesn't that make you feel a little ashamed? it's kinda like buying something, breaking it a little, and then returning it to the store without telling anyone it's broken. would you do the same thing with a microwave or a tv?

as far as calling any kind of fish a "junk fish", maybe you've forgotten which forum you're posting to. at this one, we tend to respect all fish, from guppies to jags to little zebra danios.

 

[Rbishop]

The nitrogen cycle is one of the most basic concepts of biology, and among the easiest of all natural processes to maintain with stability in a consumer fish tank. It's the *lack* of common sense and a consumer addiction to 'gadgetry' and chemical warfare that causes problems. Gravel, fish and water current are the only things required for keeping a stable biological filter for the life of the tank. We've learned this lesson the hard way in reef tanks.

There are three basic ways to cycle an aquarium; (1) dump straight ammonia in it as an initiator, (2) use substrate or filter media from an established tank or bed, or (3) use 'junk' fish that are hardy enough to not be bothered by the cycle.

I've used all three methods, and while all three work with common sense, a combination of #2 and #3 might be the easiest and most stable for the beginner to do. For new fresh tanks I prefer tinfoil barbs to start the tank cycle because they're cheap, eat anything, produce huge ammounts of waste and ammonia to seed bacteria, don't tend to carry parasites like ick, and aren't bothered by the ammo cycle given they can practically live in raw sewage and thrive. After about month and a half I take the tinfoils back to the fish store and get my real fish and consider the tank 'cycled'.

Zebra danios are another option.

I seriously hope no pays any attention to your, "advice".

I do not consider any fish "junk" and would never try to help newbies out with the insinuation that they are, and that some fish are expendable.

I also take exception to your statement of "lack of common sense" description of fish keepers, especially newbies. They may have been ill informed or mis-informed, but please do not insult them with the label of no common sense. It is extremely insulting, to them, to me as a Mod here, and it should be to you.

Thanks.

 

[baybgrl81]

The nitrogen cycle is one of the most basic concepts of biology, and among the easiest of all natural processes to maintain with stability in a consumer fish tank. It's the *lack* of common sense and a consumer addiction to 'gadgetry' and chemical warfare that causes problems. Gravel, fish and water current are the only things required for keeping a stable biological filter for the life of the tank. We've learned this lesson the hard way in reef tanks.

There are three basic ways to cycle an aquarium; (1) dump straight ammonia in it as an initiator, (2) use substrate or filter media from an established tank or bed, or (3) use 'junk' fish that are hardy enough to not be bothered by the cycle.

I've used all three methods, and while all three work with common sense, a combination of #2 and #3 might be the easiest and most stable for the beginner to do. For new fresh tanks I prefer tinfoil barbs to start the tank cycle because they're cheap, eat anything, produce huge ammounts of waste and ammonia to seed bacteria, don't tend to carry parasites like ick, and aren't bothered by the ammo cycle given they can practically live in raw sewage and thrive. After about month and a half I take the tinfoils back to the fish store and get my real fish and consider the tank 'cycled'.

Zebra danios are another option.

Junk fish? can we throw you in a tank for the cycle? Decomposing human remains tend to let off ammonia

 

[wataugachicken]

Junk fish? can we throw you in a tank for the cycle? Decomposing human remains tend to let off ammonia

ooh. . . . ibtl.

 

[StereoKills]

For new fresh tanks I prefer tinfoil barbs to start the tank cycle because they're cheap, eat anything, produce huge ammounts of waste and ammonia to seed bacteria, don't tend to carry parasites like ick, and aren't bothered by the ammo cycle given they can practically live in raw sewage and thrive.

I'm sure they can handle the cycle better then other fish, but "not bothered" and "thriving in raw sewage" i seriously doubt.

 

[kimmisc]

Why make living creatures suffer when there are so many other things you can toss in for an ammonia source? Wouldn't a cocktail shrimp from the grocery store provide ammonia with just as much ease as so called "junk" fish? Knowlingly putting living fish through ammonia and nitrite spikes, and watching them die one by one without trying to do frequent pwc's to keep the levels down is just plain heartless and abusive. I don't care what kind of fish it is or if it might manage to survive the cycle.