Cycle questions for a 30 gal.

[PMac73]

I'm starting to formulate a game plan for setting up a new 30 gal tank. This tank will hopefully house either a firemouth breeding pair or a convict breeding pair (might hold off on convicts until I can get a bigger tank for them). Anyways I have some questions concerning cycling this tank.

From what I've read I have 3 options for cycling the tank. First is a fishless cycle, second conventional, and finally using Bio-Spira. I'll break down each question I have below for ease of answering.

1) Will Bio-Spira with weekly 25-35% water change and redosing of the Bio-Spira provide a healthy enviroment for a breeding pair of cichlids?
a) Would adding the cichlids from the start be best?
b) Would putting in barbs or a similar fish be better to run the Bio-Spira cycle to start and introduce the cichlids at a later point when the bio filter is well established?
c) How long does a Bio-Spira treated new aquarium take to develope a stable and strong colony of bacteria?

2) If doing a fishless cycle, is it recommended to use plants?
a) What type of plants would be suggested for this cycle? They need not be compatable with cichlids as I can give them to a friend who has an already established tank and wants to add some live plants over the next month or so.
b) If plants are suggested (to help establish a bacteria seed and help promote the ammonia->nitrite cycle), how many for a 30 gallon tank?
c) If plants are suggested, what should I use to fertilize/supplement them, if anything?

3) Would it be suggested to filter the water prior to the initial filling of the tank? I'd be using a RO filter (4-6 stage, have not purchased one yet). Would somethign like Tetra AquaSafe work fine with tap water?


That's it for now. If I think of anything else I will post it.

Thanks in advanced for any help or insights you can suggest for me!

 

[TKOS]

If you have access to biospira then I say go that route. If followed correctly I believe you add the right amount for your tank size, then within a short period of time (couple of hours or less) you add the fish. The bacteria are ready to go and they need food so don't let the tank sit empty too long or it will die off. Of course I still suggest you check the water quality every day for the first week or so. There is always a chance the biospira went bad and isn't working. In that case you need to do water changes to recuce any toxic things in the water. Oh and only biospira seems to work. The other brands don't.


If you want to use plants then you have to buy fast growing stem plants and practically stuff your tank with them. This is often refered to as a silent cycle and is different from a fishless or fishy cycle.

I suggest you read the newbie forum stickies on cycling as they will really help answer most questions you have.

 

[PMac73]

Thanks

I read over the Cycle sticky and it does help with some of my issues.

One question concerning Bio-Spira use. When used the first time in a new aquarium, how should I deal with fish loads in the tank. I'm going to assume that a 100% fish load is not recommended. So maybe a 50% load?

thanks again.

 

[johnnyxxl]

I would consider a fishless I let my tanks sit with TLC in them to help cycle the tank But I sit them for almost a month using an old filter pad from a other tank and some old water from the tank and check water quality.