Cycling a 75gl..for how long?

[Cocobongo]

Hi, I'm just about to start cycling my 75gl, and want to know how long will it take..Is there any way to shorten time without endangering my fish. The reason I ask is because I might get my Flower Horn earlier than what I expected, I have another 55gl, but will like to set him once and not move him again so he wouldn't stress.

 

[Moloch]

I'd imagine it would be far worse on the fish to run it through a tanks initial nitrogen cycle than it would to move him from one tank to another...

Just my .02. I don't know how long it'll take your tank to cycle though, I'm cycling my first 70gallon tank starting today

 

[D12DetroitD12]

If you wanted to cycle it faster im pretty sure adding already cycled water from another tank/and or putting driftwood, or rocks from an already set up tank to the new tank. Also you could add some cheap feeder fish without parasites to the tank to help cycle it. And i think they make chemicals to speed up the process at some fish/pet shops. If you have a extra filter on an already running tank i think using the filter on the new tank without washing it will speed it up. Thats just all Ive known i may be wrong but im pretty sure that helps...

 

[Toby_H]

"Cycled water" doesn't help, but adding sand/gravel, rocks, driftwood, filter media, etc, etc from mature tanks will surely transfer some "good bacteria" into your new tank.

There are a few approaches to 'cycling' a tank. Do some reading and decide if you are cycling with or without fish... Then decide which method of doing so you are going to follow.

Also, as mentioned, there are additives you can use to "instant cycle" a tank. When they first came out most experienced hobbyists were very skeptical and the first couple versions came with mixed reviews. By now the scientists have worked out most of the kinks and they have eared a respectable reputation. Just do some reading to be sure you buy the quality brands and not the knock offs which ride the reputations of others.


There is no simple answer to your question of 'how long will it take' as the answer will vary over a very wide range depending on many details. So be sure to choose a specific approach and learn how to properly adhere to that specific approach. As important details will differ from one approach to another.

 

[Cocobongo]

I'm motivated to start with mine... I have my fish in another 55gl still and won't move them until done with the cycling ... thanks 4 d advice ...

 

[Cocobongo]

Yes, I bought some additives, water tester and good filtering stuff..I was also told to get Rossie Minnows (is that the right name?) to put in..I guess to speed up the process.
Somebody else told me that driftwood will lower Ph, so It gets a little confusing...I'll go "research mode" right now...

 

[aclockworkorange]

SEACHEM STABILITY. Cycled 2 tanks in under a week for me. Dose with Seachem Prime to detox ammonia and nitrite.

 

[dee_nice83]

I started a fishless cycle on my 55gal that began on the 3rd of Sept. and used Ammonia, some decor from my 30 gal that has been established already along with an established filter and added to the 55 and ran it. I tested water every other day with the nitrite spike on the 5th day. Checked the water today and 0 ammonia and 0 nitrites.

Running a used Fluval fx5 with biomax that has been established from the person i bought it from.

 

[Cocobongo]

Good ones! I'll hopefully start today, I think I'm going to be using some of my 55 water...have to make sure it will be safer and faster...It's kind of difficult to find some fish in this island...it is overstocked of goldfish and guppies ( which I love too..) took me about one month to find Flowerhorn...

 

[PostalPenguin]

If you use filter media from an established tank/filter you can cycle a tank immediately. I lost the biofilter in 3 of my tanks and took two small sponges from my only good tank, cut them into 4 pieces and seeded 4 tanks with no ammonia spike. A little 2" by 1" piece of sponge cycled a 55g, a 29g, a 5g, and a 10g.

Since there are billions of bacteria to start with on the media, they will multiply much faster to quickly cycle a tank. Water will have next to nothing. Gravel and driftwood may help but filter media is by far the best source.