Mumma.of.two said:
Yes! 4 is a lot of ammonia to be processing in 24 hours. That is the advantage of fishless over fish in.
That is ONE of the advantages.
It also gives you time to really think about what fish you want
It creates what I believe is a really well cycled tank
If you are putting live plants in, or plastic ones for that matter you can spend time arranging them just how you want, it really does take quite a few days to get it right (well it did me).
You have to keep testing , I must have used the API kit about 100 times. Not only is it fun watching it all develop, but you also get a basic understanding of the relationship between pH, ammonia, nitrites and nitrates.
The day all the ammonia and nitrites goes, is such a buzz
After a month (approx) of tending your tank when you actually put some fish in you appreciate the whole thing so much more.
After you finish a fishless cycle, especially if you are new to it all as I am, you look at the tank as a quite wonderful Eco system, which you have a handle on, not just a place to put fish in.
And if that's not enough you can sit back in your chair and know you have set it up without having your fish suffer, and somehow when they swim out of that plastic bag you know they are going to be comfortable and healthy and that you have done your best for them. A fish keepers it is the least you should be prepared to do.
And if that's not enough, it teaches you patience.
Just read that back to myself and smiled, sure hope my tank holds up, or I might be eating humble pie, anyway it's how I feel at the moment. Thank you to all those kind peeps who helped yours me and the fish.
