Do you cycle your tanks with or without fish?

[Pugwinkle]

I am just curious to know what method everyone uses to cycle their tanks.

 

[oscarbreeder]

I have cycled my tanks both ways.
Right now I have the Ocean Clear canister filter that will go on my new 180gal running on my 55gal letting it build up bacteria.
I also have the driftwood for the 180 in the 55 now.
I am starting to lean towards a fishless cycle because I dont want to put the fish through the stress of a cycle.

 

[LAGlocker]

I have gone both ways with the cycle. Not sure how I will do my next tank yet.

 

[Guest]

i think fish+media is most effective for speed of cycle and build up of bacteria 8)

 

[Allivymar]

Hi Pugwinkle and welcome to Aquariumadvice

You missed one option; instantly cycle the tank with BioSpira. I've cycled tanks with all the options: with fish, fishless, moving media and with BioSpira. I cycle all my tanks with media or BioSpira now. Unfortunately, BioSpira isn't available in Canada yet.

 

[TankGirl]

In my early days I used fish to cycle, then I switched to seeding/fishless, and now I, like Allivymar, use BioSpira exclusively, unless it is a very small tank I am setting up, in which case seeding usually does the trick.

 

[Christmasfish]

it didn't post..just one line!
I have used all methods. Fish and water change method for first tanks..
Then the time honored method of media borrowing.

 

[Guest]

does anyone know if/when biospira will be avaliable in Canada

 

[Pufferpunk]

Ask Bernie at The Fish Store forum below. He says they do ship to CAN.

 

[kribbz]

i cycled mine with a bunch of goldfish. harldy any died until i put the oscars in. then it was lunch time for the oscars. they were so happy.

 

[Guest]

No one mentioned planted tanks, and "silent cycling". totally my preferred method at this point.

 

[TankGirl]

"silent cycling"

Pray, elaborate! I don't think a whole lot of fishkeepers out there appreciate the ammonia consuming attributes of a decent planted tank.