Cycling with Nutrafin Cycle

[sunshinehippy]

Now I know this will proably annoy some people because there is ample information on cycling new tanks but I am using Nutrafin Cycle in my new 350L tank and according to them I can add fish straight away. This is what I have done over the last 48 hours:

Added 350L of water
Added anubias and amazon swords
Added Nutrafin Cycle according to instructions for new set ups
Added one small filter sponge from well established 125L tank
Turned on external filter
Turned on lights during the day
Turned on heater to 80ºF

I am just waiting for my nitrate test kit to arrive, I already have an ammonia test kit. I was hoping to add some fish over the weekend and was going to start with some congo tetras. Eventually I will be adding some South American Cichlids (geophagus, severum etc...).

Thoughts please?

 

[KaiserSousay]

Thoughts please?

Added one small filter sponge from well established 125L tank

Will do more for your cycle than a case of "instant cycle",Nutrafin Cycle.
Using these products is a crap shoot at best. Many have used this stuff and their tanks have cycled to become healthy environments..but..those tanks would have cycled with out any "magic cycle go juice".

going to start with some congo tetras.

Get those guys into the tank so the bacteria in the moved filter media have something to eat. No ammonia will lead to no bacteria in a few days.
They should be ashamed(Nutrafin)of themselves.
I wonder if they are the same people who make ExtenZe.

 

[Pharaoh]

I agree with KaiserSousay, Putting the bacteria seeded sponge filter in your tank will provide you with the start that you need to get the tank up and running. Just be sure to get some fish in there before the bacteria begins to die off.

 

[sunshinehippy]

But then the advice tells you not to put fish in until the aqaurium has cycled.

 

[Pharaoh]

But then the advice tells you not to put fish in until the aqaurium has cycled.

When transferring filter media from an already established tank, you are actually cycling the tank by doing so. when there is a previously established bacteria colony, there is no need to cycle, but fish must be added to maintain the bacteria.

 

[sunshinehippy]

its only one sponge from a 125L tank going into a 350L tank, will that be enough to establish a colony?

 

[Pharaoh]

It provides the start for the colony. If the stocking is relative to the smaller tank you will be fine. Just make sure to monitor parameters while the bacteria catches up. of course, moving all of you filters wouldn't hurt, but you should be OK. Cycling is all about the establishment of the necessary bacteria. For example;

New tank: No bacteria
(Start cycling process)
Step 1: Ammonia becomes present
Bacteria then begins to thrive on the ammonia producing nitrites
Step 2: Nitrites are now present
different bacteria appears/begins to thrive on the nitrites producing nitrates
Step 3: Nitrates are present.

When all of these bacteria are already present, you will need fish to provide the sustenance for them.

Hopefully this make sense.

 

[sunshinehippy]

I think I am beginning to understand it now.

Do I need to put the filter media in the new filter or is it OK by the filter inlet in the actual tank? (there isnt acutally any room in the new filter)

 

[Pharaoh]

should be fine as long as its in the tank.

 

[redinfinity]

I havent heard any good things about Nutrafin Cycle but you should be okay with seeding the new tank with the sponge filter as mentioned before. Just add fish slowly.