How do they do it?

[Lumis]

I have watched the show tanked on animal planet. How do they put the fish in with out cycling the tanks. I always wondered that.

 

[Rutrag]

I believe they maintain a stock of cycled filter media and substrate as well as adding bacteria to facilitate the cycle. There was an interview Mark Callahan did with Brett from the show that said they would try and talk about some of the technical aspects of the process in season two (the current season). I haven't been able to watch any of it yet, but it's on my DVR. I imagine in most cases they are also sellign their customers a maintenance contract as well.

 

[OscarFan76]

I wondered the same thing. I assumed they had cycled filters and substrate. I rarely see them add live rock. They just throw a ton of fish in all at once in a new tank. I've wondered if some of them die even though they used cycled media.

Very cool show though.