New to aquariums - no fish yet, I promise!

[TXaggie]

Hi to all, I just purchased my very first aquarium this weekend and am hoping to get started cycling my tank soon. Thankfully I haven't bought any fish yet, and I think I'm going to ignore my LFS's advice to put some platys in my tank to cycle it.

I have a 29 g tank with natural decor (driftwood and rock) and plain fine gravel substrate. I'm going with standard tank lighting to start with and planning to grow a few low light plants.

Hopefully I can pull off the fishless tank cycle, although I'm not looking forward to driving an hour to the nearest ACE hardware to buy $2 worth of ammonium!

This forum has already been a huge source of information for me and saved me from many pitfalls. Hopefully I'll posting tank pics in a few months!

 

[maestromad]

Welcome I hope you find this forum as good as I have. Plus if you wanted to try fish in cycling there is lots of great info on here

 

[Mumma.of.two]

Welcome to AA!
If you don't want to bother with the ammonia, fish in cycling can be done safely. It requires a little bit more dedication (daily water changes and testing) and slower stocking.
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

 

[melosu58]

Welcome aboard. We are glad you found us here at AA.

 

[BBradbury]

Fish In Tank Cycling

Hi to all, I just purchased my very first aquarium this weekend and am hoping to get started cycling my tank soon. Thankfully I haven't bought any fish yet, and I think I'm going to ignore my LFS's advice to put some platys in my tank to cycle it.

I have a 29 g tank with natural decor (driftwood and rock) and plain fine gravel substrate. I'm going with standard tank lighting to start with and planning to grow a few low light plants.

Hopefully I can pull off the fishless tank cycle, although I'm not looking forward to driving an hour to the nearest ACE hardware to buy $2 worth of ammonium!

This forum has already been a huge source of information for me and saved me from many pitfalls. Hopefully I'll posting tank pics in a few months!

Hello TX...

You can effectively cycle a tank with some Platys or Zebra Danios. Both species will easily make it through the process if you carefully check the water properties. I cycled my first tank with some Fancy Guppies and had no problems. The process takes 4 to 6 weeks tops. To me it's much easier than buying the chemicals.

Just a thought to consider or not.

B

 

[My Fish Babies.]

I really think fish in or out is just a preference really. Personally I did a 29 gallon fish in and really knew little to nothing it was a lot of work. I felt like I was water changing forever even in my sleep. I am in the middle of a 55 gallon fish less cycle. All you need is pure ammonia. Add to 4ppm sit test and wait. Much less work so far and no worry about stressing out any fish.

 

[TXaggie]

Wow, thanks for all the info! I'll check that out. It's been harder to find information about fish-in cycling than fishless.

 

[Fishy Aston]

Welcome to AA!