Fishless cycling necessary for 10g????

Bobafish

Bobafish

Star Wars Freak
Mar 6, 2005
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Ankeny, Iowa
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I just got a 10 gallon tank off of my friend for free ;) , I plan on doing some sort of cycling, but I don't know if it is worth it for just a ten gallon? I plan on getting an undergravel filter,a 50watt heater,and eventually some live plants. How should I go about cycling, or is it really necessary?????

ps. the african clawed frog sonic passed on yesterday, may she rest in peace
 
Read the cycling post. I failed to do a fishless cycle not knowing any better a while back. I got lucky and most of the fish lived, but thats not usually the case. I would recommend it just so that you don't waste any money replacing fish, also I think there are things you can do to speed it up a little. I'm sure you'll get more informed responses, but be sure to read the stickies, they're pretty helpful!
 
Yes, doing a fishless cycle on a 10 gallon is a very good idea. 10 gallons are really no different than any other size when its being set up. Also, i recomend you get a hang on the back filter. IMO undergravel filters are worthless *without a hang-on-back filter to go along with it.
 
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There are two key advantages to fishless cycling
#1. no worry about the stress to the fish = less work, less stress, more time to plan stocking
#2. tank is ready for the entire load of fish the day the cycle completes.

Fishy cycling can be done without harming fish, I did many through the years, so has just about all of the long term hobbyists here. The thing about fishy cycling is that you either start with a very snall bio-load, monitor water closely, and do water changes accordingly to protect your fish, then at the end, you can only add 1 or two fish at a time, and then do the same thing again. If you want 6 fish in your 10g you'll be 2-3 months getting to that level without harming fish in the process.
The other option is to stock up, and then do constant monitoring and constant water changes until the cycle is complete. when I say constant I'm talking 4-5 times daily. a full load in a new tank will cause rapid rises in ammonia and subsequently in nitrite both of which are harmful.

SO fishless is IMO the way to go hands down.

There are amny ways to speed the process. the sticky's will lead you to them.
Dave
 
I have a 5 gallon and didn't do a cycle when I first got it and all 5 fish died within 2 weeks, so it is a good idea to do one. I was in the middle of my cycle and someone regifted a fish to my son. She had the fish for 2-3 years and was going to flush it, but decided to give it to my son on my daughters birthday, that was his present.
 
Thank for your advice/suggestions, i will definately fishless cycle and get a Hang on back filter
Are there any products that you know of to speed up the cycle?????
how soon should i add plants after I start the cycle????? :confused:
 
Don't add plants until the end of the cycle. The plants will screw things up if you add them during the cycle.
 
I would recommend fishless cycling as well. I used this technique to set up a 5.5g tank with very little hassle once the tank was stocked.
 
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