new to FISHLESS Cycle

[audio77]

i KNOW there are a bunch of threads on fishless cycling on this and i think i've read mostof them. i also read a great article on a guy that i think started this whole idea

http://www.tomgriffin.com/aquamag/cycle2.html

I have a 180 Gal tank with a amiracle MR400 w/d, and a Custom Sealife UV sterilizer.

my 2 main questions are if using the UV during the fishless cycle will hurt, and the second question is on "donor bacteria"
i really dont know anyone with a "healthy tank". i know i need to get some gravel, or filter media or something in my system from someone elses system. but how can i be sure i'm not going to introduce some nasty disease. My neighbor has a tank with a turlte on it. he actually is running some kind of small HOB filter. would that be ok to use? still not sure on the health issue.

also, i was reccomended to use Seachem Purigen. has anyone used it and had any good/bad experiences? will this effect the fishless cycle.

thank you for your time, i know this topic is repeated over and over on this GREAT site, but i couldnt find my exact questions answered on it anywhere

thanx.

 

[famman]

I don't think the UV sterilizer would hurt the growing bacteria culture, but you might turn if off during the fishless cycle just to be safe.
It sounds like you may have a saltwater tank? If so, the bacteria culture cannot be brought into your tank from a freshwater source. If it is a freshwater tank, then gravel from your friends turtle tank would probably help to jumpstart your cycle.
I'm not sure what seachems purigen is, but if it is sold as a bacteria culture to jumpstart your cycle don't bother. As far as I know none of those products significantly lower your cycling time.
good luck

 

[audio77]

its a freshwater tank. i plan to keep FW stingrays in it when its all set up. here is what Seachem's Purigen is claimed to do

"Purigen™ is a premium synthetic adsorbent that is unlike any other filtration product. It is not a mixture of ion exchangers or adsorbents, but a unique macro-porous synthetic polymer that removes soluble and insoluble impurities from water at a rate and capacity that exceeds all others, even HyperSorb™, by over 500%. Purigen™; removes protiens, nitrites and nitrates, ammonia, and a broad spectrum of organics, yet its impact on trace elements is minimal. It significantly raises redox. It polishes water to unparalleled clarity. Like HyperSorb™, Purigen™ darkens progressively as it exhausts, and is easily renewed by treating with household bleach. A 100 mL bag of Purigen™ purifies and polishes up to 100 gallons of water for up to six months. Purigen™ is designed for both marine and freshwater use."
(http://www.thehiddenreef.com/webpages/productspages/seachem_purigen.htm)

i'm sure i shouldnt use it during the fishless cycle if it kills amonia and nitrite.

 

[NJ Devils Fan]

No, the u.v. will have no affect at all on a cycle.

You could ask a person at your lfs if they can give you some filter media that they have for one of their tanks.

No, do not put in an products in your tank that supposedly speed up the cycling process. They have little to no affect on your aquarium.

Check out this link for help on fishless cycling and beginner information.

 

[wetmanNY]

After a fishless month, what parasites might survive?

Don't worry about bacteria. The bad guys and the good guys are just everywhere. What you need is lots. Let a big jug of siphoned-off gunk settle for a day, pour off the water and dump in that gunk.

Two teaspoons of gravel in the toe of a baby sock would do too-- eventually.

All tanks cycle!

Why don't you settle in with Lord of the Rings? By the time Sauron's defeated, your new tank will be cycled in!

 

[MP]

Well. Turn your UV off. You don't need it to interfere with free-floating flora developing in your tank. Nitrification is only one part of biofiltration. There are other very important microorganisms in any tank. And many of them are free-floating. By the way, in addition to ammonia, you may want to add a bit of fish food now and then. This will help establish those colonies and bring your tank to a better balance.

Now, if you don't have a reliable source for seeding your tank, do not seed it at all. The cycling will take longer (6-8 weeks, in average), but you won't hate yourself for transfering pathogens.