how do you cycle your tank???

[Cleanbio]

wow whoever's been peeing in their tank to cycle it that's pretty nifty. hahahaha

saw a bunch of instant cycle additives at the lfs, but i prefer to use old media and reuse cycled water if possible.

 

[TRD_Power]

So should I use Safe Start along side of my Prime? I was going to cycle with some neon tetras, but I'm guessing they may die off in the process :/ I don't have any old tank media to use, but I read up on the Safe Start and it sounds like a pretty decent product.

 

[Toby_H]

lol, i was cycling already for about 2 weeks, but i just wanted to know faster ways because i was curious, my tank was prob cycled in a week but i figured id give it another week just because im not in a hurry.

all i did was set up my tank and dechlorinated it, and put some other stuff in it like water clear and anti ich stuff, then i wait about two days and then i take the carbon cartridges out from my smaller 55 gallon and squeeze them out into the tank i am cycling. then i waited untill now to test the water with the tetra test strip and everything looks good

any tips or am i doing anything wrong?
because i was goin to put one of my oscars in today

What was your ammonia source as you did this?

"Cycling" a tank means you are building up bacteria that consume ammonia/nitrite... if you do not have an ammonia source, this bacteria will never form... and if you seed it from a mature tank the seeded bacteria will simply starve off...

If you do not have an ammonia source, then of course your ammonia/nitrite/nitrate readings will remain at zero which can give the false impression to some that the tank is ready for fish...

 

[alexx-w]

What was your ammonia source as you did this?

"Cycling" a tank means you are building up bacteria that consume ammonia/nitrite... if you do not have an ammonia source, this bacteria will never form... and if you seed it from a mature tank the seeded bacteria will simply starve off...

If you do not have an ammonia source, then of course your ammonia/nitrite/nitrate readings will remain at zero which can give the false impression to some that the tank is ready for fish...

what is an ammonia source?

 

[Toby_H]

what is an ammonia source?

A source of ammonia...

Somethign will have to put ammonia into the system in order to grow bacteria that consumes ammonia...

Typical ammonia sources are either fish... or manually adding liquid ammonia...


I highly suggest you read a few articles on the cycling process and/or the nitrogen cycle. It will give you a better grasp on the process you have going on in your tank (or are supposed to have).

 

[dawnmarie]

Ammonia and or fish waste is the source.
Your questions are valid but point out a need for you to better understand the "nitrification cycle". A google search and/or a search of this site will give you what you need.

edit: If I only typed faster. Eh ?

 

[alexx-w]

Ammonia and or fish waste is the source.
Your questions are valid but point out a need for you to better understand the "nitrification cycle". A google search and/or a search of this site will give you what you need.

edit: If I only typed faster. Eh ?

thanks that helped a lot, i took about 10 gallons of water out of my 55 with a good amount of waste in it and dumped it into my 125, from what i read this should deff get the cycle going, thanks a lot guys

 

[davezxtc]

thanks that helped a lot, i took about 10 gallons of water out of my 55 with a good amount of waste in it and dumped it into my 125, from what i read this should deff get the cycle going, thanks a lot guys

yes, anything that will break down will work. However its important when fishless cycling to maintain your ammonia levels, too much ammonia can stall the process just like too little can.

Eventually the bacteria will build up that will convert the ammonia from the waste that is introduced into the system, but after that has been converted, if there is no new source of ammonia, then the bacteria will starve.

 

[Toby_H]

i took about 10 gallons of water out of my 55 with a good amount of waste in it and dumped it into my 125, from what i read this should deff get the cycle going

That is not a sufficient way to get a cycle going...

I highly suggest you read up on the process...

 

[Deaths Sting]

thanks that helped a lot, i took about 10 gallons of water out of my 55 with a good amount of waste in it and dumped it into my 125, from what i read this should deff get the cycle going, thanks a lot guys

if that does start the cycle.... then that's disgusting..

it would mean ur 55 gallon is completely polluted.. i.e. filled with ammonia...

if u want to cycle ur tank just go out and spend the $2 for a bottle of ammonia. most drug stores and hardware stores should carry it. make sure it doesn't have any fragrances or additives. it will state this on the bottle.