cycling help

[Tcal01]

Yah that's what I thought but both charts overlap so I figured they be close to each other

 

[Ponch]

Hi and welcome - in my opinion and experience ( admittedly limited) the fastest way to cycle your tank is to

1) get pure ammonia
2) get an angels plus "active" sponge filter
3) get a cheap air pump
4) add All to your tank

I cycled my first tank in about 1.5 weeks doing this after months of trying traditional fishless cycle and am on currently track to do my second tank in same time frame! Good stuff.

 

[Ponch]

Ps - listen to library girl and JLK - they got me through my first cycle

 

[Mikey214]

Ps - listen to library girl and JLK - they got me through my first cycle

X2 I did listen to them as well and used the above steps and was able to successfully uncle my tank ! :thumbsup:

 

[Tcal01]

What is All? Isn't that a cleaning detergent?

 

[Mumma.of.two]

Yes I have that link saved actually. It has helped me a lot. Doesn't traditional cycling kind of harm the fish as well, no matter how hardy they are

The old school method of fish in cycling exposes the fish to high levels of ammonia and nitrite during the cycle. It is possible to do a fish in cycle and not harm a single fish. It requires daily testing and water changes.

 

[Tcal01]

Oh wow OK. But addressing Ponch 's reply, is that All the same as the detergent kind, what did he / she mean by that

 

[Mumma.of.two]

Oh wow OK. But addressing Ponch 's reply, is that All the same as the detergent kind, what did he / she mean by that

I will post some links for you to read then you can make up your mind which way you wish to cycle. Both ways take the same amount of time (4-8 weeks usually). Fish in requires a bit more commitment because daily water changes will be needed. Fishless uses pure ammonia (used for cleaning) instead of the fish themselves as the ammonia source.

FISHLESS
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forum...guide-and-faq-to-fishless-cycling-148283.html

FISH IN
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

 

[Tcal01]

Thanks for the help. I can assure you that I need all that I can get. One more thing tho, what is water hardness and is it something I need to consider if I'm using real plants?

 

[Ponch]

Oh wow OK. But addressing Ponch 's reply, is that All the same as the detergent kind, what did he / she mean by that

Sorry for any confusion! By "all" I just meant place items 1, 2 and 3 mentioned in my post into your tank! Have a look at the links mumma posted. The almost complete guide to fishless cycling is what I used as my primary guide to fishless cycling and it will provide you everything you need to know including how much ammonia, how often, etc. you will also need to get an API master test kit if you don't have one already. Happy New Year!!

 

[librarygirl]

OK. Also, I tested the Ph using both the regular Ph solution and the high range solution but they both game me.totally different results
I got 7.6 with the regular and 8.4 with the high range.

Your tank's PH is likely 8.4. If the normal PH test is the highest color then use the High range test and that's your PH. Which is fine

As for live plants, your lighting is more important than water hardness, etc. What lights do you have on the tank? If it's the standard florescent light that came with the tank you can try some low-light plants such as Anubias, Java Moss, Java Fern (there's probably more, those are the ones I have lol).

 

[Tcal01]

OK thanks, and yah I just have the standard lights that came with the tank. Thanks again everyone for all the help.

 

[Tcal01]

Is it okay for a light fixture to be bigger than the tank it is being used for?

 

[Mumma.of.two]

Is it okay for a light fixture to be bigger than the tank it is being used for?

Sticking off both ends? Yes.

 

[FreshwaterFishJunkie]

How long is your aquarium? Also what kind of lighting do you have and what is the length of the fixture?

 

[Tcal01]

My tank is 20 in long and I was wondering if I could get a 24 in t5 fixture for it. I bought a t8 today but I would want to get the t5 just in case

 

[Tcal01]

Should I just get the t5 fixture even though it doesn't fit my tank?

 

[FreshwaterFishJunkie]

Should I just get the t5 fixture even though it doesn't fit my tank?

Well as long as you are able to hang it above the tank it should be no problem.

 

[Tcal01]

Alright that's what I was think but I thought I would just check. thanks freshwaterfishjunkie

 

[Rendao]

I have just finished a fishless cycle. Added fish two weeks ago, and all fish are healthy and happy. Recommend Librarygirl and momma, both great sources of advice. Your man in the LFS sounds a bit off the pace to me, had the same problem at mine, was told that fishless cycling doesn't work, and that it is a waste of time. Made a point of calling in and letting him know the successful outcome. He didn't believe me and told me to check my readings. Guess you can't teach an old dog new tricks!, stick with it, and good luck.