Cycle - pros and cons. - Aquarium Advice

Ky'smommy · 07-11-2006, 03:46 AM

i have been using cycle forever.
i also have been reading alot of post on how useless this is.
so am i just wasting money or not.
i figure since its already cycled it shouldnt be a problem?

rich311k · 07-11-2006, 08:46 AM

You are correct if you are cycled you don't need it anymore, if you ever did.

**Fishyfanatic** · 07-11-2006, 10:09 AM

I think it's a complete waste of money. If you are using it in your tank that is already cycled, I'd stop. No reason for it. I don't believe the product has any usage in an uncycled tank.

F-18 TECH · 07-11-2006, 10:13 AM

Cycle is just that a cycle for your NEW tank. In older tanks it is simply a stress reducer if that. BUT it is a wonderful product for people who dont have a lot of time to set up a tank

enjoy

Bhunsucker · 07-11-2006, 02:49 PM

Cycle is a complete waste of money and time! I tired it and it did not help at all in the first tank that I cycled. I work in a laboratory and had our Microbiology Dept. culture it to see it it actually grows out bacteria. The result of the test is that yes it does have bacteria in it but its not much.

Your best bet and cheapest route is to get used media from an already established/cycled tank if you want to speed up the process.

Once your tank is cycled there is no need to continue to use any cycle products. The filter and your gravel substrate will maintain your beneficial bacteria.

Ky'smommy · 07-11-2006, 03:24 PM

yes my tank is cycled, but me . my dad and bil all use cycle in our tanks.
i just wanted to know if im wasting my time.

Lepomis · 07-11-2006, 06:43 PM

Most here seem to have low opinions on the product. I have only used it once when I started up my last new tank. Since I did not set up an identical tank with the same variables I can't make any reasonable claim to whether it worked or not

. However with a "team" of zebra danios, no water changes, and dosing of cycle my tank was cycled in approximately 19 days. I did not test between day 16 and 19, so may have been sooner. My worst readings were ammonia: 0.25, nitrite 0.5, and nitrate 5. Since day 19 my readings (over 1 year 4 months) have been zero across the board every time I have tested. Now is it needed to cycle of course not, used filter media, substrate, etc... is typically free.

joannde · 07-11-2006, 06:47 PM

I used Cycle when I first set up the tank - it did nothing at all

4 wks later after getting impatient with the fishless cycle I used Bio-Spira : worked great to get the nitrites converted and finish the cycle

**Zagz** · 07-11-2006, 09:19 PM

I found cycle to be a complete waste of time and money. When I first started out in this hobby I used it on my 29 gal, it did not speed up my cycle at all.

07-11-2006, 03:46 AM	#1
Ky'smommy Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: red deer, alberta, canada Posts: 550 Images: 7	Cycle - pros and cons. i have been using cycle forever. i also have been reading alot of post on how useless this is. so am i just wasting money or not. i figure since its already cycled it shouldnt be a problem?

07-11-2006, 10:09 AM	#3
Fishyfanatic Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,303 Images: 15	I think it's a complete waste of money. If you are using it in your tank that is already cycled, I'd stop. No reason for it. I don't believe the product has any usage in an uncycled tank. __________________ Vote for Aquarium Advice 10 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 29 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 150 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid

07-11-2006, 02:49 PM	#5
Bhunsucker Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: North Carolina Posts: 385	Cycle is a complete waste of money and time! I tired it and it did not help at all in the first tank that I cycled. I work in a laboratory and had our Microbiology Dept. culture it to see it it actually grows out bacteria. The result of the test is that yes it does have bacteria in it but its not much. Your best bet and cheapest route is to get used media from an already established/cycled tank if you want to speed up the process. Once your tank is cycled there is no need to continue to use any cycle products. The filter and your gravel substrate will maintain your beneficial bacteria. __________________ ---------------------------------- "Fly Low Avoid the Radar" 55Gal [acronym:b33c6825e9="Freshwater"]FW[/acronym:b33c6825e9] Aquarium AquaClear 110/500 Filter 45gal Clarity Plus Aquarium Wet/Dry DLS Aquatics Filteration System

07-11-2006, 06:47 PM	#8
joannde Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 1,724 Images: 6	I used Cycle when I first set up the tank - it did nothing at all 4 wks later after getting impatient with the fishless cycle I used Bio-Spira : worked great to get the nitrites converted and finish the cycle __________________ 35G barebottom: 2 boesemani rainbowfish, 4 congo tetras, Low light plants (1.5wpg) attached to or planted in my own handmade ceramics - Anubia v Nana, Anubia v Barteri, Red Rubin Sword 2.5G - Spot (beautiful betta - Soft pink with red spots on his fins. Java Moss.

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07-11-2006, 08:46 AM	#2
rich311k Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 8,972 Images: 35	You are correct if you are cycled you don't need it anymore, if you ever did.

07-11-2006, 10:13 AM	#4
F-18 TECH Aquarium Advice Regular Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 72 Images: 2	Cycle is just that a cycle for your NEW tank. In older tanks it is simply a stress reducer if that. BUT it is a wonderful product for people who dont have a lot of time to set up a tank enjoy

07-11-2006, 03:24 PM	#6
Ky'smommy Aquarium Advice FINatic Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: red deer, alberta, canada Posts: 550 Images: 7	yes my tank is cycled, but me . my dad and bil all use cycle in our tanks. i just wanted to know if im wasting my time.

07-11-2006, 06:43 PM	#7
Lepomis Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 335	Most here seem to have low opinions on the product. I have only used it once when I started up my last new tank. Since I did not set up an identical tank with the same variables I can't make any reasonable claim to whether it worked or not . However with a "team" of zebra danios, no water changes, and dosing of cycle my tank was cycled in approximately 19 days. I did not test between day 16 and 19, so may have been sooner. My worst readings were ammonia: 0.25, nitrite 0.5, and nitrate 5. Since day 19 my readings (over 1 year 4 months) have been zero across the board every time I have tested. Now is it needed to cycle of course not, used filter media, substrate, etc... is typically free.

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