new tank

[jason5522]

I bought a ten gallon tank. How do you cycle it??? I bought the MICROBE-LIFT Aquarium Cycling & Water Conditioning Kit. Does anyone have experience with this on how well this works, also, I have one goldfish to cycle the tank. I'm new to this, please educate me on this, don't send me links, tell me here.

 

[Mebbid]

I wouldn't cycle the tank with something that you don't plan on keeping. Fishless cycling is a much more efficient and quick method to cycling a tank. Otherwise with a fish in cycle you will first need to look at getting a test kit, I would suggest an API master freshwater test kit.

After that test the ammonia / nitrite level in the tank every other day or so and do 50% water changes based on the amount of ammonia / nitrite is in the tank, try to keep the levels lower than .25 ppm on either of those. The cycle will be finished when you constantly get a reading of 0 on both Ammonia / nitrite. Keeping an eye on the nitrate level will also help keep tabs on how your cycle is doing.

This is a quick and dirty version of the steps for doing a cycle. I know you didn't want links but here is one that I would highly recommend reading.
I just learned about cycling but I already have fish. What now?! - Aquarium Advice

 

[librarygirl]

Hi and welcome! I wouldn't cycle a 10 gal tank with a goldfish, to be honest. Goldfish are messy and require a 20 gal tank minimum. Toxins are going to build up quickly. You can cycle a tank fishless. Here's a guide that explains cycling and the different methods of cycling (one is the link above): Guide to Starting a Freshwater Aquarium - Aquarium Advice

 

[jason5522]

I am using the cycling kit, will that Leo and can I start adding fish?

 

[Mebbid]

It's possible but you really need a kit to be able to test the water to know for sure.