xazax
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
Hey all, I am quite new to aquariums but have read some of the fish-in and fish-less cycling threads. I had started with the intent of a fish-less cycle. I planted the tank (55G), filled it up with treated water, and let it sit for about a week. I looked at every hardware store and grocery store locally and couldn't find pure ammonia. Didn't want to pay crazy shipping so I tried Tetra SafeStart. I poured a whole big bottle in and put 10 Zebra Danios in. I monitored the water every day for two weeks and never got any spikes. Just a gradual increase in nitrates. I added 4 Boesemanis and a CPO and watched for two weeks. No spikes. Added 4 Denison Barbs and a pleco.
Anyways, it has been about 7-8 weeks and I haven't had a single spike. My question is: why doesn't everybody use bacteria in a bottle? What is the drawback? Isn't it just like getting bb from an established tank?
Anyways, it has been about 7-8 weeks and I haven't had a single spike. My question is: why doesn't everybody use bacteria in a bottle? What is the drawback? Isn't it just like getting bb from an established tank?