Belgianbiscuit Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 Hi all, I am ready to start cycling tank. I think I want to do it without fish. It seems the fish I want to keep are not hardy enough (Neons mainly) and I don't want to be stuck with guppy's or something that I used for cycling. I have a new filter and placed about a dozen plants in my gravel. Should I do any water changes before I have fish in it or just test for ammonia/nitrite/nitrate every few days until it is right? I had a look at the article on the site. They talk about adding ammonia. What ammonia (brand maybe) should I get? Or am I better off to let it occur by adding more plants and some food (think I read that decaying food helps) Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeebee Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 Hey have a read of this viewtopic.php?f=4&t=56639 my experience of fishless cycle which was pretty successful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamC Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 Sounds like you want to do what is called a silent cycle ( silent because you don't get any spikes ). See this article http://www.aquahobby.com/articles/e_silent_cycling.php I didn't bother with CO2 injection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheepsnana Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 Neon tetra's are hardy enough. As long as there is sufficient filtration and frequent water changes. Adding Aquarium Complete works wonders. I'm sure there are other brands that call it "cycle". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belgianbiscuit Posted June 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 Thanks guys, These are some good posts. Still not sure which way to go though. Excuse my ignorance but does a product like Aquarium Complete get the ammonia/nitrite/nitrate levels right in no time? I am not sure if you are familiar with the program tanked on Animal Planet but these guys fill a tank, add bacteria in liquid form and set the fish loose. Is this what "cycle" products allow you to do? Would it be ok to add a few neons now? Water has been in there for a few days, filtration going, temperature is ok and I have plants. I just don't want to hurt the neons :-) Also, how frequently would I change water at this stage and how much? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cricketman Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 yes you can add A FEW SMALL HARDY fish, (such as neons/ guppies/ molly) so long as you do - Water changes: aim for 20% change twice a week, more if you feel up to it for the first month, then weekly 20% changes should see you right as long as the bio-load remains the same. Mini-cycles happen every time you change a aspect of your tank, whether it is adding more fish, or cleaning part of the filter, increased w/c's at these times will help curb the possible spikes. I don't believe in magic potions that claim to do all the work for you, only water conditioner to remove chlorine and its by-products... There is more to water chemistry than the nitrogen cycle, and I like to imagine a water change as opening a window in a stagnant room that's been locked up for a few days with animals in it... Then again, some will say that I'm just old-school, but, I know what works for me, and what costs the least... Patience is a virtue.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zev Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 http://www.fnzas.org.nz/?p=1868 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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