Cycling a 180 gallon tank

[Pankakes]

I'm setting up my 180 gallon tank this weekend and i was wondering what kind of stock should i use for the cycle. Eventually, i'm going to put my 10 juvie RBP's in the 180. Any suggestions? I'm using a wet/dry filtration system. Also, how long do you think it will take before being ready?

 

[Texs]

Giant Danios...

 

[Pankakes]

How many Danio's in prepreation for 10 RBP's?

 

[Texs]

How many Danio's in prepreation for 10 RBP's?

Quite a bit. The ones that survive will eventually be eaten by the RBPs anyway right?

 

[Pankakes]

how soon after water and filter are running can i put the 20 danios in the tank?

 

[abarilot]

I'd give it a day or two, Ive been told 4 days but that is too much IMO

 

[Pankakes]

Instead of Danios, I have a breeder tank with about 40 on the small side Convicts. Would that do the trick for the cycle in preparation for the 10 RBP's?

 

[bluehairman]

They would probably die... The idea is to get a hardy fish that can live the water parameters. I suggest you get a couple mollies but I don't know because its a larger tank...

 

[I'mHooked]

Danios are one of the hardiest fish around - I'd stick with them.

 

[TwistedPenguin]

Why on earth don't you just do a fishless cycle?? You can add large amounts of ammonia right off the bat to get the cycle going and not put live fish through something that makes them sick.