aqua_holic
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Using bottle bacteria, it's very important to follow the directions on the bottle. Start with just a few fish, add the product, feed minimally if at all, and wait a week. There is risk in this method, because it assumes that the bacteria are still alive. Because they are alive the product is perishable, and if it's not been stored/shipped properly from the plant to the store shelf, you can get a dead bottle. Lots and lots and lots of people have successfully used bottled bacteria, such as tetras safestart, but there are a number of reported failures too. Chances are good that it will work though.
Fish in cycling means doing lots and lots of water changes to keep the ammonia levels down while the bacteria naturally grow. This can be very tough on the fish, as well as the keeper. This is generally not a method people recommend, but it's a common method because people often buy fish without cycling their tank first.
Fish in cycling means doing lots and lots of water changes to keep the ammonia levels down while the bacteria naturally grow. This can be very tough on the fish, as well as the keeper. This is generally not a method people recommend, but it's a common method because people often buy fish without cycling their tank first.