new planted and heated 10 gallon tank.

[rich6459]

What's going on guys, I was just wondering. I got a 10 gallon and have a crab and snail in there at the moment ( probably shouldn't have got them). What's the bestial to cycle the tank. I got it last week around the beginning. If you guys could drop some advise that would fantastic.

 

[fort384]

Do you have a test kit? What kind of crab is it? It is too late to do a fishless cycle (unless you can bring the critters back). The inverts may not be enough to spur a cycle (at least not quickly).

 

[rich6459]

I do have a test kit. And I have a red claw crab in there as well as a snail.

 

[fort384]

ok cool. What is your ammonia testing at? If there is any readable, you may be able to do a cycle with the animals you have. Any chance you can return the snail and the crab and do a fishless cycle? That really is the best way.

 

[rich6459]

The ammonia test were kinda high before I did a 25 percent water change. Sadly I can't return the critters, cause I misplaced the receipts. Looks like I have to cycle the tank with the crab and snail. So with that said what's the best way to do that?

 

[fort384]

You are on the right track already.

You want to keep your ammonia and nitrIte levels below 0.25ppm. This may mean you do daily 50% or more partial water changes (pwc). It will probably take several weeks, but eventually you will get a 0 ammonia reading, a 0 nitrite reading, and a nitrate reading of 0-20ppm is ideal.

The cycle will start with ammonia spikes, and then you will have nirIte spikes, and finally get to the ideal.

 

[rich6459]

Yeah that's I'm trying for. If my craters die is there anything I can do/buy that will aid the process?

 

[fort384]

IF the critters for some reason don't make it, then you would want to read up on fishless cycling and go that route.

My personal opinion, I would avoid the bacteria in a bottle type products that promise to speed up a cycle... at best they might help a bit, but are really hit or miss.

 

[rich6459]

Know of any any good sites that have the fishes cycle process?

 

[fort384]

Yup. Check out the articles section of this site. You can find a link at the top of the page. There is a great article about fishless cycling in the freshwater articles section.

 

[rich6459]

Fantastic thanks mucho!