abraven21
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2014
- Messages
- 10
I just would like to know if your doing a fish in cycle tank, what is the right amont of fish to start with if your tank is 29 gals
I was reading somewhere that you want 3-4 small fish per 10 gallons... So using that logic 9 or so? Personally fishless cycling is a TON easier though. Just buy a bottle of ammonia from Ace Hardware (costs around $2.60+tax) and syringe, use this calculator: Calculator to determine how much ammonia to add and you just test it everyday but otherwise you don't have to do much.
A complete article on it is here: The (almost) Complete Guide and FAQ to Fishless Cycling - Aquarium Advice
Just make sure you drop your ammonia dosing to 2ppm instead of 4ppm once Nitrites start to appear otherwise you run the risk of stalling your cycle.
Of course if you already have fish, then you are stuck doing it the old fashion way, but from experience this new method will save you so much time, money, and frustration in the long run that it isn't even funny.
Good luck with your new tank!
I was reading somewhere that you want 3-4 small fish per 10 gallons
You can buy quick start that you put in your tank it says that it instantly cycles but I ain't sure if it works, not sure why you don't have any ammo in your tank because I thought tap water naturally had it in, how long have you had fish in and how long has it been set up?
There is ONE person on this forum who advocates this many fish and I am 100% certain this is where you read it, but most of us strongly disagree (sometimes quite vocally) with this recommendation. I personally think that is far too many.
I totally +1 everything you said about fishless cycling, though
Your 2 platies are totally fine. Smaller is better unless you want to change water every.day.
Live plants do not make ammonia, they eat ammonia.
Yeah I think you are right about that! Any ammonia at all gets things moving, and once they are established it's just a matter of the bacteria doubling up every day.It sounded like a lot of fish at once to me too I was just repeating what I heard. All I can say though is that I was trying to cycle a 29 gallon tank with 1 platy and it didn't seem to do much, after the platy died I have been fishless cycling and it completed in one week. Of course maybe that is just proof that the platy was doing something it was just so small and hence not noticable...?