Cycling with goldfish?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Bderick67 said:
Not sure what the question about cycling with goldfish would be, pretty simple procedure. Could you post the info that shows that goldfish are bad to use for cycling with fish?
Click to expand...

I believe the question is whether it's bad or not to fish cycle with goldfish as opposed to say a tropical fish and if so why? OP said they read somewhere that it's a bad idea to cycle with goldfish. I personally have never heard of such a thing and would be interested in reading what it has to say as well.

Also, already been addressed above but, tank water from an established tank isn't going to cycle a tank... Not that I see where the OP says they even have an additional tank up and running.

The OP knows what cycling is but he did also say he's never fish cycled and did ask for any information about it.
 
Ryan75 said:
Lol, guppies live without a heater.....
Click to expand...

Yeah most all the fish I keep live without a heater, but WTF difference does that make?
 
1) At the time I began writing the post there was only nagging non objective posts made. Some of which were from you.
2) I agree.
3) I dont agree at all. Yes, most of the bacteria is in the gravel and filter media. There is enough in the water to begin culturing it in the new tank.
4) Commented on in 3.
5) Ok, he knows what cycling is, I never said he didnt. I am answering his question..... unlike you.
This is a forum to help individuals with questions on fishkeeping, not for the purposes of arguing and bantering.
 
Mr.NiceGuy said:
1)
3) I dont agree at all. Yes, most of the bacteria is in the gravel and filter media. There is enough in the water to begin culturing it in the new tank.
.
Click to expand...

If most of the bacteria is in filter media or gravel, then would it not be better to advise moving such to jump start the cycle in a new tank? Believe what you will but there is very little free floating bacteria in the tanks water and it would do very little in seeding a new tank.
 
Why don't you just return the goldfish now, and use ammonia.. You can get a half a gallon at walmart for $5.

The reason cycling with fish is bad is simply because it's bad for the fish; not exactly bad for the cycling process.

Buying the goldfish to cycle, and then returning them after the tank is cycled, would be like buying an expensive pair of shoes for a one night event, and then returning them.

It's very much immoral.

Along the lines of giving a few of the goldies to your GF for her "small" tank.. you should rethink that. I have 15"+ goldfish that started out as small feeder fish. Goldfish are beautiful fish that are completely underrated and abused.
 
bderick67, that is a valid point and I thought about it as well, but the established tank is 225g so its more than likely a large canister or two, if not a sump. Maybe liquid ammonia (as previously mentioned) and used media from the established filter if possible. Im not saying most bacteria isnt in the filtration system and gravel, etc, but I do believe using water from old tank can be useful. Someone made the observation that nitrates will be introduced, and this is very true, but nitrates are far less harmful than nitrites, so I still think the benefits outweigh the risks.
 
Again believe what you will but there are really no risks or benefits to using established tank water for water changes during the cycle process. Your original statement was to add the established tank water to help start the cycle process, was it not? My point is, if you have an established tank available, then why would you not use filter media, substrate or decor that will have a much larger amount of beneficial bacteria to jump start the cycle? Instead of using something that has a very miniscule amount of bacteria in even any.
 
The tank will never cycle if no ammonia is added. Bacterias are of no utility without fish or ammonia.
Hi tableau,
But he has already added Goldfish.
 
Happy 4th everyone! Lol- I have heard that cycling with goldfish is a bad idea because they often carry diseases (take a look at most goldfish "feeder" tanks and the fish and water look pretty horrible). Not sure how valid this is, but I can see how this would be a concern.

Why not take the goldfish back to the shop now and throw a piece of raw shrimp in your tank-- viola...you have a consistent source of ammonia for the nitrosomonas to chew on? Warning...it may smell a little fishy for a day or two, but I'm sure that since you're a college kid, your room already stinks like smelly socks...j/k :ROFL:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom