Klatoo Posted December 30, 2002 Report Share Posted December 30, 2002 Hi all, just set up my new tank. Used to keep fish years ago but this is my first time after a long lay off. I have read lots lately about 'tank cycling' and I want to get this right, and avoid the dreaded new tank syndrome. Have seen some mention of using small amount of raw meat in tank to build up the bacteria in the filter, anyone tried this ? If so how much for how long etc. :-? I don't like the idea of suspending 2 pounds of pork sausages in the tank for the next month Cheers and Happy New Year ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted December 30, 2002 Report Share Posted December 30, 2002 Hi Klatoo. Meat? That's a new one on me! Slow and steady does it. Do it right the first time and you should avoid new tank syndrome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kellz Posted December 30, 2002 Report Share Posted December 30, 2002 Try a couple of Zebra Dainos in the tank they are really hardy... If you can borrow some filter media or gravel off an established tank that will help speed things up a bit...(a good pet shop could help). But this can also introduce disease so be careful where you get it from. Testing kits for ammonia and Nitrites are VERY useful in this time period Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted December 31, 2002 Report Share Posted December 31, 2002 The people I know who have used this method of cycling used a fresh mussel which they had cut open. There were religously taking ammonia, nitrite and nitrate readings and keeping a control chart to show just when the tank had finished cycling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldie Posted December 31, 2002 Report Share Posted December 31, 2002 Would it be that the mussel just happened to have the right bacteria. I mean it is a shell fish?? :-? I would go with the danios or maybe guppies. Just a couple to begin with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted December 31, 2002 Report Share Posted December 31, 2002 Nah, it's not that it has the right bacteria, it's just that the rotting releases ammonia which cycles the tank. My opinion, you're better off adding pure ammonia if you can find it for a fishless cycle or putting fish in the tank. Of course, best of all would be to swap media with a friend. What kind of filter do you have, Klatoo? I can swap whatever media you've got with some of mine if you like. That should be good enough to instantly cycle your tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klatoo Posted December 31, 2002 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2002 Hi, thanks everyone for all the advice, and Ira for the offer of some filter medium. In the pub last night, I was taking to a neighbour who also keeps tropicals, he is coming around tomorrow with some ceramic 'noodles' from his filter. That should get me going. All I need to do now, is decide what kind of kish to keep :-? Decisions, decisions, life is so hard :lol: Happy New Year :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted January 1, 2003 Report Share Posted January 1, 2003 Cichlids! South American cichlids...Even africans, but whatever you do, don't get discus! Discus are evil, horrible fish. *Runs and hides from discus owners* Animates in Wellington had a couple of interesting Geophaguses I wanted to buy when I was in there last, They were cheap too, only $5 each. I can't remember what species exactly they were, I hadn't actually heard of them before. I was very tempted but I'm pretty much full up. You might have a look at them, I love Geophaguses, probably my favorite genus? of tropicals. You didn't mention what size your tank is, though, so they might get a bit big. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klatoo Posted January 1, 2003 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2003 Hi, my preference would be for some cichlids too ( I used to keep oscars), but this tank is only a small corner unit of around 150 ltrs, and I need a nice show of bright community fish to impress 'her indoors'. I am using this first tank to pursuade the wife that than a much larger one would be a good idea. Little by litte....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted January 1, 2003 Report Share Posted January 1, 2003 Assuming those Geophagus get to a similar size to Jurupari and Surinamensis that I have a pair would be happy enough in a 150 liter. *I* think they're quite colorful, anyway. Not bright gaudy fish, though like some prefer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted January 1, 2003 Report Share Posted January 1, 2003 If you want colourful, have you considered killifish? They should certainly impress the missus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klatoo Posted January 2, 2003 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2003 I have often considered Killies, don't know much about them though. Here are a few questions for you lot.... :-? How many could I keep in a 150ltr tank ? Do they mix well with others ? Where can I get them, never see any in shops ! Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted January 2, 2003 Report Share Posted January 2, 2003 Where are you Andrew? We have someone interested in killies! Andrew belongs to the NZ killifish Association and will be best able to answer your questions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldie Posted January 2, 2003 Report Share Posted January 2, 2003 Maybe your wife would like to help you choose??? U take the chance tho that she will fall in love with the .............discus :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john1 Posted January 2, 2003 Report Share Posted January 2, 2003 Hi LFS where I purchased a new filter for my future cichlid tank, said that I should use "cycle" or whatever, but still wait 10 days before I put fish in. Some go as far as 4 weeks. You get pH meter, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia etc. testers. Why don't they invent a "Cycled tank" tester? :lol: John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macka Posted January 2, 2003 Report Share Posted January 2, 2003 Geophagus :lol: sounds a bit biased here, only $5 I can get you discus for $5. They will definitely win Klatoos wife over. 150 litre planted tank with 4 discus a few corys and school of cardinals sounds nice I think goldie will agree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john1 Posted January 2, 2003 Report Share Posted January 2, 2003 Hi macka Did you say you get a discus for $5.00 ? What, normal size or embryo. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted January 3, 2003 Report Share Posted January 3, 2003 They DO have cycled tank testers, they're little test tubes you put drops of chemicals in. I don't think Cycle actually does anything to cycle the tank. All it really is, is gets rid of chlorine, ammonia and some heavy metals, I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john1 Posted January 3, 2003 Report Share Posted January 3, 2003 Hi Ira I don't think you are wrong, but the cycle populates the necessary bacteria quickly instead of taking days or even weeks. John PS Could you tell me the name of that little gizmo that tests for "cycled tanks"? I am interested Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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