How to cycle a tank
- Thread starter possum
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You forgot Bio-Spira *grin*
I've cycled tanks with fish, have done fishless cycling and used Bio-Spira. My first choice is Bio-Spira followed by fishless cycling with ammonia.
In fact, I've started 2 tanks successfully with Bio-Spira, and just set up a QT tank this evening with Bio-Spira (I'll be testing for nitrogenous waste tomorrow).
I've cycled tanks with fish, have done fishless cycling and used Bio-Spira. My first choice is Bio-Spira followed by fishless cycling with ammonia.
In fact, I've started 2 tanks successfully with Bio-Spira, and just set up a QT tank this evening with Bio-Spira (I'll be testing for nitrogenous waste tomorrow).
Ok so i just filled it up with water and am going to get gravel tomorrow ( i know this i bassackwards lol). It is a 125 gallon. So what type of fish do you recommend to cycle with and how long should i wait to get them. I am going to have oscars and a tire track or fire eel and maybe an arawana eventually. So would one or 2 smallish oscars be too much to start with?
peterp
Aquarium Advice Freak
I prefer to start a tank with a few fish, some media from another tank, and a bit of bio-spira/cycle AND time. Time is the hardest ingredient to add 
I will see if any of the LFS have it. Thanks!!! I was going crazy thinking i would have to stare at an empty tank for a month!!! So i have a small biowheel on one side of the tank should i pour the biospira directly on the wheel or just in the water?
Makes no diff I've added it both ways and it worked well in both cases.
Just make sure you add it WITH the fish that will be living in there. If you wait to add the fish, the bacteria will die (no food - no fish waste).
I've added it both ways and it worked well in both cases.Just make sure you add it WITH the fish that will be living in there. If you wait to add the fish, the bacteria will die (no food - no fish waste).
peterp
Aquarium Advice Freak
Possum
if you have used a de-chorineator, have substrate and your filter running, you can add the fish-o-cycling along with some bio-spira. Then start testing the water until if falls into acceptable parms.
I find good fish to use are molies/swordtails/feeder guppies, depending on what you put in the tank they will remove the feeder guppies. The other fish you will have to remove if it is not a comunity tank.
What kind of filter did you get for the 125 gal?
if you have used a de-chorineator, have substrate and your filter running, you can add the fish-o-cycling along with some bio-spira. Then start testing the water until if falls into acceptable parms.
I find good fish to use are molies/swordtails/feeder guppies, depending on what you put in the tank they will remove the feeder guppies. The other fish you will have to remove if it is not a comunity tank.
What kind of filter did you get for the 125 gal?
peterp
Aquarium Advice Freak
one last thing, if your lfs has bio-spira it should be in their cooler. If they keep it on an open shelf the bacteria is probably not in good shape.
peterp
Aquarium Advice Freak
It needs to be stored cool so the bacteria is kept inactive and not needing food.
A short tirp should not be a problem.
A short tirp should not be a problem.
Around here (NY) I haven't been able to find Bio-Spira in the major chain stores, but one of my lfs carries it. You may have to look or call around to find a store that carries it. If you can't, let me know. I know of a place in Tennessee that ships.
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