Do you still have to cycle with Eco-Complete?

G

gwynne

AC Members
Mar 27, 2009
35
0
0
45
I recently decided to give up on my 7 gallon bow tank and start a new 10 gallon that will become my true beginners planted tank. I've tried growing things and something always goes wrong.. well, anyway, I'm starting over.

I got a bag of eco-complete with the water in the bag for the little bacteria buggers and I'm wondering since it supposedly comes with them, do I still need to do a fishless cycle? I don't want to do a fish cycle, since I don't want to risk losing any of my current fishies and I really don't have anywhere to put any guppies or mollies after the fact..

I have ammonia and am all set to do a cycle if need be, but I'm really wondering if I even need to. I also took a clean filter that had been in a corner box for a week or so and dropped it into the new 10 gallon.
 
I use Eco-complete, and I have found that you do still have to do a cycle. It might be shorter, but still necessary.
 
yes, I have a hard time believing that those bacteria are at all active, meaning that they are able to actively consume ammonia. There is no source of "food" in a bag of liquid and gravel for the bacteria to consume. Apparently bacteria will not die without a source of ammonia for food but will instead lie dormant in the substrate.

I would never rely on eco to soley cycle a tank.
 
Since you're going with a planted tank screw the cycle process and just put in a lot of plants. Let the plants be your biological filtration.
 
^^I agree, lots of plants but if you're moving only the fish you have & move the filter & some decor from their current tank you should be good to go
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom