First cycle - new tank

[Blairsowman]

Hey All,

Ive got most of the equipment for my new tank.

Ive just brought my first tank an Aqua One AR620T (130L).

It cam with a hood which included a light and filter.

I've just bought:

Eheim 100w heater

Gravel (20kgs for $9 from bunnings )

Dual air pump (one way valves and hosing)

Gravel cleaner

Thermometer

I've got to set the tank up today or tomorrow.

How many days do i need to let it cycle for?

Ive been told everywhere from 1 day (with water treater) to 3 weeks??????

ALSO is the water treater good????

Cheers

[SamH]

Fishless cycle?

If so, google fishless cycle and read about it there.

To summarize it:

-Setup tank with gravel, heater filter and lights. Plants if you're going to use them.

-Up the temperature to 28c if you want it to cycle faster. (Optional)

-Add five drops of ammonia then measure the ammonia level using your test kit.

-If it has risen to 5ppm, then leave it. If not, add more.

-Once at 5ppm leave the tank running. Test everyday, maybe twice a day.

-When it drops to 1ppm then add more until it's 5ppm

-Continue this until you have to add quite a bit of ammonia to get 5ppm

-Then leave the tank, measure the Nitrites, they should spike

-Then the Nitrates will spike

-Done!

HTH

[Southerrrngirrl]

Water treater? I assume this is dechlorinator? Best to use it if you're using tap water that has chlorine added. If on tank or rain water supply its not necessary.

Cycling a tank properly generally takes around 4-6 weeks? (Correct me if I'm wrong people). Not just days.

I would set the tank up and run it for a few days so that any dust particles in the gravel settles etc and the water comes up to temperature, then add 1-2 small fish, such as neon tetras or platys. They are cheap fish, reasonably hardy and will help start the cycle. Do regular water changes and keep an eye on your nitrate, nitrite and ammonia levels.

I suggest searching the forums for a more details on how to cycle a tank.

This is for a cycle using fish. SamH's method does not use fish. Not sure how long the fishless cycle takes.. but I would assume it is a couple of weeks at the least.

[Blairsowman]

Im not sure if its dechloronator???

Its Aquaone water treater sold in wetpets.

I know animates tests the water fro free - so that will go to them.

I'll be cycling for the first few days or week without fish - but i will have plants

[Southerrrngirrl]

I googled for "Aquaone Water Treater", couldn't find product called that so I don't know what that is, sorry.

You can get test kits that do the basic tests, pH, high range pH, nitrates, nitrites and ammonia. It will set you back about $60 but surely better than having to go to animates everytime you want to test the water. And depending on how often you use it should last a couple of years.

[SamH]

Yes, go with a kit. All you'll really need is pH (6.0-8.0), ammonia and nitrites, for now. 8) I tested everyday when I was doing my fishless cycle, can't go to Animates everyday now can we? :lol:

[Mr McFish]

I would just buy a couple of cheap fish like guppys or platies and water change every few days. I never bother getting test kits when cycling just stock the tank slowly and you should be good.

[ryanjury]

Your tank is big enough to start off with small fish and let it cycle by itself, any ammonia they produce will be processed and the tank has enough volume to dilute this ammonia to a safe level. Alternatively come out and see me or any other local fish keepers and we can give/swap you for some new media for some cycled stuff and then you will be away..