Freshwater cycling

[blazingazn]

if i were to set up an aquarium with live plants, how does that change my cycling? do i add live plants the first day along with the decor, rocks, filtration, etc. or do i leave the plants out so that the bacteria can have access to the nitrates and only put the plants in after the tank has been established?

 

[FishApprentice]

Quick Question, what is a good amount of fish to start a cycle in a 38G Tank?

Thanks

 

[BoredAgain]

Quick Question, what is a good amount of fish to start a cycle in a 38G Tank?

Thanks

3 to 6, possibly. There may be some articles or threads about a fish cycle, perhaps a search is in order. EDIT: Nevermind, most of the info can be found in this thread. Good luck.

 

[NewbieFish]

if i were to set up an aquarium with live plants, how does that change my cycling? do i add live plants the first day along with the decor, rocks, filtration, etc. or do i leave the plants out so that the bacteria can have access to the nitrates and only put the plants in after the tank has been established?

I have the same question and another of my own.

Can I cycle a new filter with Goldfish (since they are tough) and then switch the entire system to tropical afterwards?

 

[Yadokari]

I have the same question and another of my own.

Can I cycle a new filter with Goldfish (since they are tough) and then switch the entire system to tropical afterwards?

Plants HELP cycles, because beneficial bacteria cling onto plants so you're actually kinda seeding your tank already. Add the plants into the tank when you set everything up. They will only HELP and will do no harm. It will also speed your cycle up and reduce a week or two if you heavily plant the tank.

You can use goldfish to cycle a tank. Is it a feeder goldfish? Make sure they aren't diseased. If you add plants though, you probably won't even need a goldfish to start the cycle. Just add in pure ammonia and the bacteria on the plants will get to work straight away.

 

[Malak]

Been running my 55g cichlid tank since july last year, now I want to jumpstart my niece's tank.

I've installed her brand new filter wich is for a 10 gallons in my tank to help install the right bacterias in it. I've figured I could run it in my tank for 2 weeks or so then install it into her new tank, check the water parameters and then add her fishes.

Good idea? Comments?

 

[Rbishop]

Been running my 55g cichlid tank since july last year, now I want to jumpstart my niece's tank.

I've installed her brand new filter wich is for a 10 gallons in my tank to help install the right bacterias in it. I've figured I could run it in my tank for 2 weeks or so then install it into her new tank, check the water parameters and then add her fishes.

Good idea? Comments?

Yes, that will help her tank start up. Just remember, you will not necessarily have enough bacteria to support a full load in her tank.

 

[Boocho]

Yes, that will help her tank start up. Just remember, you will not necessarily have enough bacteria to support a full load in her tank.

I just got my new 120g and I was planning on seeding it from my 30g, but I was worried about having enough bacteria. What else can I do to make sure that there will be enough bacteria?

 

[wataugachicken]

seed the tank, then follow the steps of a fishless cycle in order to increase the amount of bacteria before adding fish.

 

[bumpylemon]

how r these levels?

general hardness (GH) 60??? maybe my color is a little off. i thought it was 30 5 min ago.
ph 7.4
nitrite .5
nitrate 10