Fishless Cycling

[Reevenz]

Hi, i am starting my new tank last weekend, and today is the 4th day of my cycling day.

Strangely, when i test my water, my nitrite shows 0 but my nitrate shows 20ppm. Ammonia is at 4.

Why is this happening?

Should i do 50% water change?

[ameenuksg]

Which tester are you using ? Is it API ?

[Reevenz]

Yes it is. Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate all API brand

[jenlowca]

I heard from one bro that fishless cycling must do water change from 20-80% depend on number of days cycled.

[marimo]

This is also a pretty good fishless cycling article
it has a calculator also

No water change during cycling till end of nitrate spike, WC will bring down nitrate, i did a 80-90% change and brought down my nitrate to 10

[Solasido]

I used Nutrafin cycle bacterium solution for my fishless cycling. It works for me. I have never got ammonia and nitrite spike so far. When nitrite is slightly elevated adding a little of the bacterium brings it down again.

Just follow the instructions.

[noobass456]

Normally i dun even add fish to cycle my tank. I think cruel to use them as guinea pigs. Just get some aged water from lfs if you dun have and just wait for the tank to be properly cycled.

[5stars]

A good fishless cycling article at Practical FishKeeping website. Recommended read even if you already have tanks.

Hey the link is no longer valid.

[Shanzs]

Has any one tried Wizz Fast cycle solution before to cycle a tank ?

[David]

Don't really believe in fish less cycle. Have a smaller bioload and seed the tank. Without ammonia, how does it start?


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[Shanzs]

Been reading through (http://www.arofanatics.com/forums/sh...334931&page=27) asked abit about Wizz and managed to find out about the Fast cycle solution but no idea if its good? I am new at setting up a tank and could use some advice.

[David]

Its a matter of personal preference.

I realize that this is a sticky?...could you start a new thread in the main forum. Thanks.

[the4thsaint]

patience is the key!

[kebab7]

It is an interesting read. Many beginners should read this thread first before introducing their livestocks

[ActiveBlast]

Good article! Does the quick start solution really helps?

[Griffith DreamWalker]

Yes, but using chemicals/ bacteria mixes are still unsafe and have a chance of causing a tank crash. Also, like David said, please start a new thread and make that into a sticky instead. This one has dead links and too many comments. I expected this to be a site full of updated links for cycling tanks.

[peacefulday]

hi, I m plan to start a fishless cycling for my new 3ft tank to keep some discus later. Fill up tank 1st day, 2nd day start to add Waterlife 'digests ammonia & nitrite' solution (add once a week) and let it's cycled for 4-6weeks).
I use a sponge filter and ehiem ecco pro 300 canister during cycling
I will put in heater tube set at 28 degree during cycling (will it kill the good bacteria?)
I will skip those ammonia,nitrite,nitrate measurements and start add in fish after 6 weeks or later.

might add in a HOF for mechanical filter purposes once start adding fishes

Any pro can comment and advice is it ok? Thanks

[Urban Aquaria]

hi, I m plan to start a fishless cycling for my new 3ft tank to keep some discus later. Fill up tank 1st day, 2nd day start to add Waterlife 'digests ammonia & nitrite' solution (add once a week) and let it's cycled for 4-6weeks).
I use a sponge filter and ehiem ecco pro 300 canister during cycling
I will put in heater tube set at 28 degree during cycling (will it kill the good bacteria?)
I will skip those ammonia,nitrite,nitrate measurements and start add in fish after 6 weeks or later.

might add in a HOF for mechanical filter purposes once start adding fishes

Any pro can comment and advice is it ok? Thanks

What are you using as the ammonia source to feed and grow the beneficial bacteria?

[peacefulday]

What are you using as the ammonia source to feed and grow the beneficial bacteria?

I read many tank cycling methods but still got confused, I believed lots of casual fish keeper same as me, as in term of growing bacteria (some more got good and bad ), thus I started to list down and ask for a rough 'layman' duration stages instead using measurement kits.

I suppose I can add a few small cheapo fishes or drop in a few fish food pellets into the cycling tank around two week later to create ammonia to feed bacteria pardon me if I talk like nonsense

[Dscheng]

Sorry, to hijack. I also on fishless cycling mode. But with season filter, i do a test on Ammonia and it show 4ppm. I think it is normal as i am using ADA soil.
4 day when i see the tank again, the water seem to be cloudy, is it good sign? Maybe can kick start the cycling.