Cycling

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Nepherael

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 12, 2012
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Warsaw, Indiana
I'm a new fish owner and obviously have been learning as I go. I pride myself on doing my research but I was completely uninformed when it came to the cycling process.

I looked at many articles and resources and not one of them said that when my ammonia hit zero my nitrite would skyrocket. I lost 3 fish in twelve hours. Very upset. I did some emergency maintenance and neutralized the nitrite but it was a horrible experience when everything has gone so well and then a healthy fish dies and you're scrambling trying to figure out why.

I have learned since joining two fish forums (in the past 24 hours) about the other half of the cycling process and about a fish less cycle. Like I said none of my resources mentioned this nitrite spike and everything I read said a fish less cycle was either impossible or completely unreliable. I now know otherwise and if I upgrade or get a new tank will be better prepared
 
Most aquarium literature I've seen, will tell you, cycling is a 3 stage process. Ammonia first, then nitrite, then a nitrate spike.
A normal cycle can take 6-8 weeks maybe longer. And even after the nitrate cycle has begun, you must be careful not to add too many fish at once, or they will overcome the beneficial bacteria, and ammonia and nitrate can re-spike.
 
Yeah I either missed it or maybe didn't read anything that went very in depth. I use stress coat, stress zyme, ammo lock (when needed), aquarium salt, and I have prime for emergencies (like the nitrite spike). I haven't introduced fish very fast but in hindsight probably a little faster than I should have considering my tank was still cycling.

I'm very upset with myself about it but now I'm better prepared for the future
 
Nepherael said:
Yeah I either missed it or maybe didn't read anything that went very in depth. I use stress coat, stress zyme, ammo lock (when needed), aquarium salt, and I have prime for emergencies (like the nitrite spike). I haven't introduced fish very fast but in hindsight probably a little faster than I should have considering my tank was still cycling.

I'm very upset with myself about it but now I'm better prepared for the future
Click to expand...

none of those will fast cycle your tank, safestart will get your tank cycled in 10-14 days instead of 6 weeks
 
Absolutely =)

I was upset with myself because, up to this point, my girlfriend and I had a lot of pride in the fact that we had done such a great job caring for our fish. They were all happy, very interactive, kept a varied nutritious diet, on top of cleaning and water changes.

I'm feeling better about it today and I know I will keep an even closer watch on any new tank setups and just my regular tank from now on.
 
Oh yeah, I knew it wouldn't fast cycle it. I was under the impression that the stress chems just helped build the right kind of bacteria and helped the fish cope with the process. And throughout the process to try and neutralize any spikes in levels. I'm glad you told me about that chemical though. I had seen it at my LFS but was told that it was unnecessary. I will be going to get some today though

lipadj46 said:
none of those will fast cycle your tank, safestart will get your tank cycled in 10-14 days instead of 6 weeks
Click to expand...
 
i only use prime and salt. if i am starting a new tank, i grab an old filter and use it for a couple of days to help. never failed me. i have a group of eight africans wv

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srrry..... wrong button. eight africans no deaths over four years. i have eleven amazonians for years... all alive nd doing great. old filters... i can attest. just to start. my daughtera do tanks and love fishes. they pop in my old filter for a couple days.... and new fish are ready.

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