:huh: what are good starter fish to get a 29 gallon tank cycled? About how many? I've already added some stress zyme the first day i set it up. Any advice will be most appreciated!
quick question
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umm most people on this board will tell you to do a fishless cycle. Never done it, I'm sure it works. I used biospira and giant danios and a couple of water changes. Once I was confident I could keep fish alive, I bought slowly then returned the danios.
start with a single fish (if solitary) or two (if group is needed, they will be find in a pair for the short time) that you like, making sure that they are not liquid gold water fishes (i.e. discus)... in a week or two add another and continue this for as long as you like... to me it is the best way... that way there is alittle chance of having to have a sacraficed fish. Or you can put some danios in and return them after a month... make sure the LFS will buy them back keeping in mind they probably wont give you the full amount.
I started my 10 gallon with 3 zebra danios and was told to start my 37 gallon with 6 (I did not cycle the second tank with danios, though). I, however, kept my 3 danios because I didn't want to return them to have them be sold again to cycle yet another tank. It already is hard on them, why do it more than once?? Besides, they can be very interesting fish!
I happen to like Zebra Danios as well. They are cheap, but I think they're pretty and they are very easy to keep.
yup, i'd cyce without fish.
I have done it (the add ammonia method, with no added bacteria from anywhere) and it worked like a charm. was kind of fun, actually. Other times i have used filter media from established tanks. So i have never cycled With fish.( well never knowingly, that is)
I had zebra danios once and they were definitely hardy, but too zippy for my taste. frenetic. so I wouldnt want to keep them again.
If you are going to use fish to cycle, why wouldnt you use feeder goldfish, and euthanize them afterwords, (or return them, i suppose)
Youd neem to be caredful to find non diseased ones.
Personally, I dont think it is ethical to use fish in this way when tank can be cycled w/o em.
but,If u r gonna do it, Gf put out a Lot of ammonia, so, seems they would prepare for the largest bioload.
I have done it (the add ammonia method, with no added bacteria from anywhere) and it worked like a charm. was kind of fun, actually. Other times i have used filter media from established tanks. So i have never cycled With fish.( well never knowingly, that is)
I had zebra danios once and they were definitely hardy, but too zippy for my taste. frenetic. so I wouldnt want to keep them again.
If you are going to use fish to cycle, why wouldnt you use feeder goldfish, and euthanize them afterwords, (or return them, i suppose)
Youd neem to be caredful to find non diseased ones.
Personally, I dont think it is ethical to use fish in this way when tank can be cycled w/o em.
but,If u r gonna do it, Gf put out a Lot of ammonia, so, seems they would prepare for the largest bioload.
i agree, use feeder fish. Their sold to be eaten anyways so your actually doing them a favor by giving them purpose. My lsf has fedder fish at 12-15 cents each, thats cheap as well. and maybe if u get a hardy feeder goldy it'll grow up to be a whooping 6'' beuty!
Stix87 said:
Well, I don't know about doing them a favor. being eaten, vrs being exposed to toxic levels of ammonia/nitrites?
which would you pick?
it is not likt they were looking forward to a long happy life thugh, i'll give you that.
Also, a "feeder " goldfish, is just a regular ole goldfish, If given the chance it would grow WELL beyond 6". a "6' beauty" is a stunted goldfish.
Thats why I suggested euthanizing them if they survive the cycling, They are too large and need too much water to happily raise in anything smaller than a 55 IMO. and they wouldnt work in a tropical community tank for many reasons.
My first pet fish were feeder GF. before I knew I was over crowding them by keeping several in my 30 gal. They grew into really nice looking and friendly fish.I had to et them go in a private pond.