Clownfishlover
Aquarium Advice Freak
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2013
- Messages
- 212
Since he had live rock for weeks before he got fish the tank probably had started to cycle already so the fish will be going through less of an ammonia spike IMO
Well, to cycle a tank is to introduce an ammonia source. With a cycle using fish, the fish make ammonia with their waste. This ammonia is poison to fish. I don't see how you can take care to not torture the fish seeing as they must swim in ammonia filled water.
You cannot build a strong bacteria colony doing water changes during a cycle. You are quite mistaken.It seems you're stuck in you way of thinking, it's sad that so many people see a method of cycling as cruel because they don't understand how to properly maintain safe levels.
With testing and water changes the ammonia/ nitrites will not reach a high level.
Fishless cycling is boring. That's the whole top and bottom of it.
People claim it's the best way to cycle a tank but it's not.
If you're using LR and LS then it's no different from using a seeded filter in a freshwater tank.
A light stocking and dedicated monitoring of the water quality is a lot better than staring at an empty tank for a month or so.
You cannot build a strong bacteria colony doing water changes during a cycle. You are quite mistaken.
The bacteria colony depends on the ammonia levels.
Live rock taken from the ocean and left in cargo containers for weeks at a time before you get it do not have beneficial bacteria on them. What they have is die off. The die off then rots and creates ammonia thus starting the cycle. Sad? Whats sad is people killing things for no sensible reason at all.
I followed all these forums for a year before I got my tank. Mr. X knows his stuff. I believe everything he says. Some people will never learn. And will lose a lot of money and fish in the process.
But even that states there is a risk to fish ... I just don't see what damage a bit of patience has really to ensure your fish are safe and healthy, personally I'd rather not take chances. Also the whole point of the cycle is that you need all the elements for the nitrogen cycle in the tank for it to happen and to build the bacteria and the water changes are removing these from the tank to put in water without these elements so damaging to the cycle Just my opinion though.
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f12/fish-in-cycling-step-over-into-the-dark-side-176446.html
I think this article, even though it relates to FW, will show enough proof that you're argument is all but moot.
From that article:
Fishless cycling
Pro:
No animals potentially harmed in the making of this tank.
Biofilter built like a freight train.
Ammonia is poison, PERIOD. ANY detectable ammonia is toxic to livestock. There is no correct way you can ingest ammonia and it not hurt you. That's a fact.