Cycling

uh, my 200gal. and my 1gal. with the betta in it. The 1gal. doesn't have a filter, but my 200gal. does... I think it has a pond filter, i'm not sure... but some people suggested I use Bio-Spira. How does that work? Oh, someone also suggested ammonia... you know, the cleaning solution one? How can I use it w/ ammonia?
 
Do it the easy, cheap way

Why bother buying expensive stuff like BioSpira or doing a long complicated ammonia-fishless cycle when you have everything you need in the filter of the big tank?

Set up your tank, with gravel, filters, lights, everything but fish. The day before you get the fish, take the filter media from the big tank and get as much junk out of the filter as you can.

That might mean opening the canister and taking out a sponge and squeezing it in a bucket of tank water. Or, if there is a Hang-On-Back type filter, taking the filter sponge or cartridge out of that and swishing it and squeeze it to get all that dirty junk out.

Your Dad will need to do this for you, he will understand why and he should be very impressed that you know to do this. You do not, under any circumstances, want to mess with the filter without his permission!

Take that nasty brown dirt (bio-slime) and dump it in the new tankand add some to tthe tank's filter. Hopefully there will be so much dirt that you can't see through the tank anymore. This is GOOD dirt!

The next day it will be all clear, add your fish. Test for ammonia and nitrite daily, but you might not see any at all.
 
uh... I consulted this w/ my Dad, but he said he prefers Bio-Spira, which does the cycle instantly... have you ever used it?:confused:
 
UH......

anyone there? I need this info right now, because my dad wants to read this post...
 
The simplest way to get the info is to go to www.fishgeeks.com and there is a wealth of information on Biospira. It does work but it is expensive and needs to be refrigerated, many LFS do not carry it, but it can be ordered on the internet. The previous advice about using filter junk does work. It does not avoid cycling, it speeds it up.I don't mean to beat a dead horse ( ?fish) but your tank will cycle regardless of whether you are aware of it or not. You did cycle your Oscar tank or the fish would not be alive. It is a process which occurs when you add fish to a tank, it is not a choice. If you start a tank you will cycle if it is to survive. You still need to understand the process. I realize the practicalities of your situation and the need to work with your dad...but what is the point if you wind up unhappy with dead fish? ( and an unhappy dad. ). Use "google" to get more info. THere is a lot on this forum...but sometimes not easy to follow..but people really do want to help.
 
can I just cycle it by leaving it running w/ no chemicals or filter junk?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom