We never used to cycle tanks...

[AntiSceptic]

>>Liesbet. Could be wrong, but I think cycling the tank is precisely what you referred to - letting the filter process all the water in the tank a few times over...
Sure someone will be along soon if I've mis-understood, to enlighten us...

 

[gaines]

Ah.... You left out the slate bottom tank! _all wrapped in chrome.

It's funny. I just read this post recently and today while cleaning out my grandfather's shed I found a five gallon slate bottom steel frame tank! Considering that the smallest tank I have at home is a 55 gallon, I have no idea what I'll do with this little five gallon...possibly put it in my office.

 

[Daudzegier]

Hah that reminds me of my mom ageing her 30 gallon in like 12 hours......... and adding like 100 goldfish to it. They all were dead within three days.

 

[watermelon]

These days, you can buy Bio Spira and your tank will be cycled in about a week..

 

[vkesu]

Gee...thanks guys. With my birthday comming up I don't feel quite so old anymore. lol.:dance2: Great write up!! I have found myself giving advice in the fish dept many times!!

 

[kw0me]

hehe im assuming siers is like the local supermarket. here in australia we got woolworths or big W i remember years back before people started shooting each other big w used to sell guns and woolworths used to sell the ammo.

 

[redswi]

No one has mentioned the old test kits...What did a master kit inlude??? ...1 tube , a ph test , and chlorimine???

 

[fbm]

The term Cycling refers to the ammonia/nitrite/nitrate cycle.

Fish waste and decomposition of biological matter forms ammonia. Ammonia is very toxic to the fish gills and will prohibit breathing and the fish will die.

As long as you keep your ammonia down below 1ppm or so bacteria will start to form/grow to eat this ammonia and there waste product is nitrites. Nitrites are toxic as well but in alot higher concentrations, usually not a problem because of water changes and another bacteria will change it to nitrates.

Nitrates are also toxic when in high enough concentrations. Plants will use this to grow and anerobic bacteria will change this to nitrogen gas and bubble to the surface and exscape.

This process can take up to 12 weeks depending on the conditions.

Hopes this helps I am no expert.

 

[4myfish.com]

Nostalgic Memories

I wish my first tank was the only disaster! "Cycling" saved SO many innocent fish! Good article CaptnDan.

 

[dbzguy]

Wow, great post... I thought I was old school for having a tank back in 92 when acrylic tanks were the next wave of the future and biowheels would be the end all to all filters...