Cycling new tanks

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aussieman57

aussieman57

Aimara
MFK Member
Nov 11, 2021
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When I kept and bred many species years ago we set up new tanks, grabbed a little established gravel or filter material from a buddy, added a few cheap dither fish and let the tank cycle naturally while watching parameters. Wanted to try some of the newer products so this time around I decided to use the Carib sea gravel with the nitrifying bacteria in it per local fish shop recommendation. Put the tank water in first, treated it with Seachem prime and let it circulate for 36 hours under filtration in the tank. 36 hours later I added the Carib Sea Gravel. The LFS shop now recommended adding Fritz Zyme 7 so I figured why not try out this new method to see if it actually works. Now he is recommending also using Seachem Stability and not adding anything to the tank for 4-6 weeks which seems counterintuitive to me. For nitrifying bacteria to become established they require a source of ammonia to feed on so why would you run a tank for 6 weeks with no occupants while continually dosing the tank with Seachem Stability. He is also recommending utilizing this product for 3 years with every water change. Now I have no issue with trying out the newer methods of gravel with nitrifying bacteria (and even a bottle of Fritz Zyme 7) to give the tank a kick start but the rest of this regimen seems ridiculous to me as once the tank has bacteria growing in it, it should not need to be continually added.
 
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LFS shop is a few bricks short a lorry load. Use your common sense, some nitrifying products work, but as you stated they require a source of ammonia to grow.
This can be accomplished IF you have chloramine treated tap water, by performing large daily water changes while using a reducing agent such as Prime/Safe, or by adding food, or pure ammonia, but if you have established media the latter method is still king in this hobby. :thumbsup:
 
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I am all for the "filter media from a buddy" way. I added a tank a month ago. I transferred half the media from an established tank, 10% water from an established tank, and 90% treated tap water and added some fish. Day two water was a little cloudy but fine next day and nitrites and ammonia all zero. Been doing that for almost 20 years. I have used this method with fussy Tanganyika fish and never lost one in the transfer.

If I did not have access to established media I'd go the "technical" route but not my first choice.
 
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Yeah, unfortunately been out of the hobby for so long I don't have access to media from an established tank. Do have chloramine in our city water and use Seachem Prime. I'm just going to grab a few swordtails and cycle the tanks the way I used to by adding a small bioload and letting tank cycle over a couple of months. Thanks for the replies just wanted to affirm that I wasn't crazy. LOL. I love the way this current generation likes to "school" everyone. I've "gently" remined this guy that I was breeding, importing and selling fish 30 years ago as he "talks too much". Maybe I should remind him that I did this while he was still wearing diapers. Will be getting stock from Imperial Tropicals as they are also located in FL. I appreciate the patience everyone has given me as I get up and running again.
 
Up to you, but fishless cycling of new tanks has also been used successfully for many years now. No need to supplement for 3 years tho. lol
 
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Lol its funny because every person had their own opinion how to cycle a tank. But this one was the most extreme methodology that I have heard of for such a length of time
 
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I seriously believe that if some dude in an LFS told me I needed this that and the other to cycle my tank, and then went on to advise me that even once my tank is fully cycled I needed more off the shelf "product" to maintain the cycle, then I think I'd probably strangle them until they turned a deep blue colour. Lol.

I suppose you can't blame them because they're trying to make money at the end of the day, but only at the expense of the hobbyists who get reeled in by their patter.
 
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C. Breeze said:
LFS sounds like he has a new product for you to buy everytime you come in and sounds like he isn’t quite a microbiologist…. If you know what I’m saying
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Well he is quite full of himself and believe me it's hard to continually bite my tongue.
 
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