Ok so here is the deal. I picked up a thirty gallon tank on the cheap but had to take its residents. This include three goldfish 6"-8" long and a 4" pleco. I have since taken them to an excellent LFS that does pond stuff where they will find a new home. (Pruess pets near Lansing MI if anyone is curious) So now I have a tank that is empty and not ready for my cichlids. It will probably take me a few weeks to remodel the decorations and pick up additional equipment (ie a better heater and filter). In the mean time I wouldn't mind keeping the tank cycled and ready for fish. Any ideas on how to accomplish this?
tank left fishless....keep it cycled??
- Thread starter judobadger
- Start date
If you don't plan on putting things in QT, maybe you could add something the cichlids would eat? Shrimp, or a few small fish? I think you could also add in a few drops of amonia occasionally, but I don't know how that works :huh: . I'm sure you'll get some better ideas 
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You can get some seeded filter material from the orginal filter, and stick it in the new filter when you get it. This will cycle your tank. But meanwhile you also should do a mini fishless cycle, by adding ammoina like the others have said.
WW nailed it on the head.
Buy regular ammonia from the supermarket with no colourings or fragrences.
Shake the bottle and see if it foams, if it does its not safe. If the bubbles immediately disappear, its good to go.
Do a search on google for fishless cycling.
Buy regular ammonia from the supermarket with no colourings or fragrences.
Shake the bottle and see if it foams, if it does its not safe. If the bubbles immediately disappear, its good to go.
Do a search on google for fishless cycling.
I alternate feeding prepared food (flakes or pellets) as if the fish were present with ammonia on alternate days to 1-2 ppm - if there are no live plants. Ammonia in planted tanks is high algae risk.
The ammonia route is by far the simplest i think. I would go with that. I found some at my local Ace Hardware. It is called Janatorial strength ammonia. 10percent ammonium hydroxide.
Using prawns isnt very accurate however.
If you dose with ammonia you'll know the exact bio load that tank can hold.
If the prawn produces less ammonia than the future fish, it'll go through a mini cycle.
Here in Aussy Id have to say its cheaper to buy a bottle of ammonia than prawns. :rant:
If you dose with ammonia you'll know the exact bio load that tank can hold.
If the prawn produces less ammonia than the future fish, it'll go through a mini cycle.
Here in Aussy Id have to say its cheaper to buy a bottle of ammonia than prawns. :rant: