Is it better to start cycling my tank with or without a fish?

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West1

West1

Peacock Bass
MFK Member
Sep 27, 2007
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Ive read people putting in feeders as they start their tank up, so Im a lil confused. I just started my 300 with filtered ceramic rings from another tank and about 50 bioballs (also filtered). I added the filtered stuff to my sump that is with about 400 unfiltered bioballs (3/4 full comercial grade Hefty bag) in my sump. With that, I dont know if I should go buy a few goldfish that would eventually be Goliath food:naughty:
 
with out a food source in the tank, the already cycled media will die. since most of the media is already cycled you dont really need to treat it as a cycling tank but just add the stock slowly so the BB can keep up.
 
With used media you can start adding almost immediately. Just do so slowly to give the BB colony time to grow with the load.
 
dragonfish;1975308; said:
With used media you can start adding almost immediately. Just do so slowly to give the BB colony time to grow with the load.
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What on earth is "BB"??

I dont want to chance loosing my 11"+ Goliath, so should I just go buy a large goldfish and return him for credit in about 2 weeks?
 
i agree. used media in the tank is the best and quickest way. but if you're starting completely fresh, i'd say yes to adding feeders. atank doesn't fully start cycling until ammonia and other bio chemicals are introduced from either fish fecal matter or food.
 
BB = beneficial bacteria

It's what converts ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to nitrate.
 
Bethany;1975394; said:
i agree. used media in the tank is the best and quickest way. but if you're starting completely fresh, i'd say yes to adding feeders. atank doesn't fully start cycling until ammonia and other bio chemicals are introduced from either fish fecal matter or food.
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So how many 7" goldfish should I buy???
1 DZ?
 
7" goldfish!!

You'll only need 4 or 5 of those beastly goldies.
 
Hawkfish3.0;1975405; said:
7" goldfish!!

You'll only need 4 or 5 of those beastly goldies.
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Ill just thrown in a DZ 1-2" goldfish:D

Thanks guys

Tank should be ready for my Goliath in about 3 weeks:headbang2
 
West1;1975479; said:
Ill just thrown in a DZ 1-2" goldfish:D

Thanks guys

Tank should be ready for my Goliath in about 3 weeks:headbang2
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more like a week if not now....
 
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