COMPLETE NEWBIE!!! cycling? ammonia? nitrate? nitrite? huh???

[fish-4-life]

I am a complete newbie! i am planning on my first tank! a 46 gallon. i need to know how to cycle a tank. good testing kits? what all my levels shoudl read. etc.!!! please help!!!

[librarygirl]

Hi and welcome!

Good for you for doing your research ahead of time!

Here's a link to get you started: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums...ng-148283.html It'll tell you everything you need to do to cycle your tank before you add fish.

The best test kit is a good liquid test kit (not strips); API Liquid Master Kit is used by most here.

Good luck!

[bruinsbro1997]

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/articl...ing/Page1.html

As for the test kit many use API Freshwater Master Test Kit. Affordable but highly useful.

Edit: Darn librarygirl beat it to me again!

[fish-4-life]

wow! that article is AMAZING! no doubt! thanks to both of you!

[FishieMomma]

Eco's fishless cycling guide is the way to go. I'm close to being done and am on day 21.

I personally recommend getting an active ( seeded) filter from somewhere. Www.AnglesPlus.com sells them for around $6 including shipping and, while not a guarantee, have helped a few of use kickstart a fishless cycle. I was also able to borrow some decoration out of a friend's established tank.