Can i start my cycling on my 125 before adding my sand....i have filters, heaters, n test kit allready? If not whats the bare minimum i need to start cycling? im just ready to get the long process OVER WITH!!!!
Fishless Cycling Tank Help!!!
- Thread starter liljoe0985
- Start date
buy some Hagen Aquarium Cycle (http://www.hagen.com/usa/aquatic/product.cfm?CAT=1&SUBCAT=121&PROD_ID=01075900020101), stuff works awesome.
Also, you can add a VERY tiny amount of common ammonia (i.e. cleaning product, unscented stuff) to the tank to kickstart the process and provide food to the bacteria. Also tells you when the tank is cycled (ammonia reading goes to zero).
Of course the best thing to do is use filter material from an established filter, or aquarium gravel/rocks/etc. from an established tank.
And yes you can start cycling before adding sand or anything else, as long as the filter is in place and the temperature is reasonably where you want it to be long term.
Also, you can add a VERY tiny amount of common ammonia (i.e. cleaning product, unscented stuff) to the tank to kickstart the process and provide food to the bacteria. Also tells you when the tank is cycled (ammonia reading goes to zero).
Of course the best thing to do is use filter material from an established filter, or aquarium gravel/rocks/etc. from an established tank.
And yes you can start cycling before adding sand or anything else, as long as the filter is in place and the temperature is reasonably where you want it to be long term.
liljoe0985;1537123; said:
if you can seed the tank with 'junk' ( used filter material etc) from an established tank it will help begin the process of breaking down the ammonia etc and establish the colonies of good bacterias
will adding established filter media, established gravel, etc. WITH something like the Hagen Aquarium Cycle speed up the process even more? any other products besides the Hagen recommended?
liljoe0985;1537157; said:
you still gotta wait.......
biospira or other live bacteria products all help.....but imo a handful of used filter material will do the same.
so id be wastin money if im plannin on using used filter material or established gravel by buyin a cycle solution without any advantages of combining the 2?
Don't forget you have to feed the bacteria everyday. You must add ammonia everyday to completely cycle the tank. Your ammonia level will go to 0 but your nitrites will spike. You must continue to feed the bacteria ammonia until the nitrites return to 0. Then you are completely cycled.