Okay, I just received some extra money (thanks Mom) and will set up my 168 gallon tank with 2 FX5's and 1 110 HOB filter. I am going to cycle my tank with goldfish feeders. How many should I use and for how long shall I cycle the tank for? Thanks in advance, The Doctor.
How Many Fish To Cycle Tank?
- Thread starter Dr_Shakalu
- Start date
2 to 3 dozen should get the job done and expect cycling to take about 6 weeks. This can be shortened by using products that a designed to assist with cycling. At the beginning don't get aggressive with water changes because you need the water quality to get bad before it gets better.
Sounds like an awful idea. I'm not a a fan of introducing disease carrying feeder fish to cycle a tank. Just add a cocktail shrimp and let it rot.
I used seachem stability to cycle my 180. stocked it immediately with fish I didn't want ot lose. everything worked out perfect
did the same for a 29 gallon as well.
did the same for a 29 gallon as well.
Do the chemicals that say they are used to cycle tanks work. Some are kept cold and others are on the shelves. I was just wondering because wouldn't the beneficial bacteria die if it just sits in a bottle on a store shelf?
Thats why you get the refrigerated kind with the newest date on it. I have used the brand spyro gyra ( I think that's how its spelled?) You put the right amt of product in and then add your fish immediately after. Worked great!
To answer the Thread question, None!
To answer the Thread question, None!
Cant see the point of putting any fish through bad water conditions just to cycle your tank, even if they are just feeders as you guys like to call them.As some one has said use a shrimp or fishless cycle with ammonia probably takes about the same time anyway.
The cost of buying diseased goldfish to torture might as well go to a bottle of pure ammonia with which you can cycle the tank more effectively and safely.
I haven't started a tank from scratch in years. Just take an established filter and squeeze out a huge cloud of bacteria into the new tank when you add your fish. Viola, instant cycle and it's free and works every time. You can even learn to eyeball the mass of the fish compared to the size and density of the cloud you'll need. I've gotten dozens of tanks going this way.
I haven't started a tank from scratch in years. Just take an established filter and squeeze out a huge cloud of bacteria into the new tank when you add your fish. Viola, instant cycle and it's free and works every time. You can even learn to eyeball the mass of the fish compared to the size and density of the cloud you'll need. I've gotten dozens of tanks going this way.
knifegill;4625820; said:
HUH, pretty cool, I have always done the swap filters and gravel thing for yeers to avoid cycling, but never thought of doing that. Have to try that with the next new tank.
You could ask the LFS for some cycled water to speed things up. Of course it helps if you have an established take available or know someone nearby.