Any experts in a fishless cycle?

Exactly what the title says. I just began my fishless cycle, my very first one in my first tank aside from small betta tanks. With the bettas I would always put them in as soon as I got the tank and not even think about a cycle. Now I'm becoming more informed though and trying to do this right. I'm looking for someone or some people that could help walk me through it if I update my parameters and progress. I've been looking online, have plenty of resources, but would still feel better having some go-to help.

Tank is 150 gallons, I'm using Dr. Tim's ammonium chloride. Last night I added in 5 teaspoons, checked it twice at different times and had an ammonia reading of 3-4 ppm. So now I just continue checking and wait for the ammonia to hit 0? I didn't feel like taking apart my canister filter so this morning I took about half of a sponge from my bettas filter and tied it to the intake in the 150 figuring it can't do any harm and may help out some.


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predatorkeeper87 said:

I mean....I'd dump some seachem stability or tetra safestart+ in and call it a day, you'd have a cycled tank in about 3 days. works for me every time. But if you are dead set on doing it the old fashioned way then ya, just wait. the bacteria will eventually build up to a level were you will start noticing a drop off in ammonia, a spike in nitrites, and maybe a few nitrates. Its a waiting game if you are doing the cycle that way.

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If I were to add some safestart+ in there, would I continuously need to add it either during the cycle or after water changes or just the initial dosing to jump start the process?


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pacu mom said:

Fishless cycling threads
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?224559-Cycling-and-You


Fishless cycling can take a month+ to complete. Getting the nitrites to drop to zero takes the longest time. Fishless cycling is an exercise in patience, but is well worth it. If you cycle the tank using 4 ppm of ammonia, (and keep adding ammonia to 4ppm when it zeroes out) you can be confident that your tank has more than enough beneficial bacteria to handle the bioload of whatever fish will be occupying the tank. Some experts recommend reducing the ammonia concentration once nitrites start rising. Either way works, but it will take time.

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Thank you very much. Extremely helpful.


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