Cycling a new tank

[DeborahAnne]

Hi Peep,

Any good tips on cycling a new tropical tank?

I filled it yesterday, i have the heater going, I've added one rock so far and want to get some real plants today and some more rocks etc

I've read a little on cycling and getting tank ready before adding fish, lots if conflicts and contradictions, so I need some tips from some of you guys as to what's best etc. any advice would be greatly appreciated..

Thanks

 

[DeborahAnne]

PS: I have a 130 Lt Aqua One 620T

 

[librarygirl]

Fishless cycling with pure ammonia is an option. Here's a guide with a link on how to do it: Guide to Starting a Freshwater Aquarium - Aquarium Advice

 

[DeborahAnne]

Thanks sweetie

 

[Rychean]

Fishless cycling with pure ammonia is an option. Here's a guide with a link on how to do it: Guide to Starting a Freshwater Aquarium - Aquarium Advice

This is the way I cycled my first tank. After that (read "if you have access to an established aquarium"), you can take biofilter media or gravel from an established tank and get a new tank ready a LOT faster.

 

[PockX]

Not sure if you have any previous tanks, but if you did you could also add some of the water from a cycled tank into the new one or if you had any extra gravel or anything like that..just to get some of that beneficial bacteria going.

 

[PockX]

I have also heard you can throw a piece of shrimp or something in the tank to boost start it..never tried it, not sure if it's a myth or what..but yup.

 

[Mumma.of.two]

Since your in Australia it can be tricky to locate pure ammonia. I did notice a guy was selling it on eBay a while back but I'm not sure if he still is or of if its the real deal. Cloudy ammonia from the supermarket is no good. You have a few options. You can try to locate some ammonia, use a raw prawn (and/or fish food) or fish in cycle. If you fish in cycle it's a good idea to have some fast growing stem plants (like hornwort) to help keep ammonia levels down.

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/artic...g-but-I-already-have-fish-What-now/Page2.html

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f12/fish-in-cycling-step-over-into-the-dark-side-176446.html

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f12/your-guide-to-ammonia-toxicity-159994.html

http://www.aquahobby.com/articles/e_silent_cycling.php

Here are some articles on fish in cycling.

 

[Mumma.of.two]

Not sure if you have any previous tanks, but if you did you could also add some of the water from a cycled tank into the new one or if you had any extra gravel or anything like that..just to get some of that beneficial bacteria going.

Just so you know, the nitrifying bacteria stick to surfaces in the tank. The amount in the water is negligible. Old tank water does nothing to help cycle a new tank. Used filter media and substrate are the best ways to kick start a cycle.

 

[DeborahAnne]

Thanks everyone, I bought some stability new tank stabilisation System today, and I'll just keep running it, fish less for a while, get some water testing done and see how I go. I don't have access to any old tanks or know anyone with a well established tank, so I'll have to do it the slow way!!

Thanks for the advice

 

[Mumma.of.two]

Thanks everyone, I bought some stability new tank stabilisation System today, and I'll just keep running it, fish less for a while, get some water testing done and see how I go. I don't have access to any old tanks or know anyone with a well established tank, so I'll have to do it the slow way!!

Thanks for the advice

Be very wary of stability. Some have reported success but many believe its useless. Unless you have an ammonia source (fish, prawn or pure ammonia) the cycle will not begin. Letting the tank sit with water and stability will do nothing.

Here is the beginners guide:
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/artic...-to-Starting-a-Freshwater-Aquarium/Page1.html
It explains everything you'll need to know. Lori posted it above also.

 

[Rychean]

Not sure if you have any previous tanks, but if you did you could also add some of the water from a cycled tank...

Pockx - I don't believe water alone would move the bacteria. My understanding is that the good bacteria doesn't "hang out" in the water column. But an established tank provides lots of other ways to transfer them (gravel, as you said, porous decorations, filter media).
PS - Sorry Mumma.of.2 - I posted this after reading that you provided such information, and I don't know how to delete my post completely.