Im 100% new to keeping fish. I have a 55 gallon tank that I want to put a small rockbass in. I know I need a filter and I understand all of that, but I dont understand how to do cycling. I know it is necessary but what all goes into it? Also what type of water do I need to put in the tank? Creek Water? im guessing tap water wont work, again, im new to this and im sorry if i am the 100000 person to ask these questions
Stupid newbie questions about water and cycling
- Thread starter WillCostello
- Start date
It takes 6 - 8 weeks to cycle a tank. A tank is 'cycled' when enough bacteria have grown in the filter to convert all ammonia produced into nitrate. Ammonia is extremely toxic. Nitrate is much less toxic and removed by water changes.
You should read up on the nitrogen cycle.
As for water, tap water is treated with a water conditioner. Prime is the conditioner you want. Large volume water changes must be made fairly regularly.
You should read up on the nitrogen cycle.
As for water, tap water is treated with a water conditioner. Prime is the conditioner you want. Large volume water changes must be made fairly regularly.
Haha okay so first off welcome to MFK and welcome to the hobby. Second you do not need to use creek water. All you need to do is fill your tank up with tap water and put declorinator into the water that will take out all of the chlorine and in certain brands it will also take out chlormines. Now there are two different ways to cycle. The first is call a no fish cycle. In this type of cycle process all you do is add amonia into the tank. This will start the promotion of benificial bacteria. I would highly suggest reading up on the nitrogen cycle to fully understand what exactly is going on. The second waybto cycle a tank is a fish in cycle which is when you have a fish in the tank because they all creat amonia through their poop. That will start the growth of benificial bacteria. I hope this helps a little
Cycle is a one time thing that only happens when you first set up a new tank or a new filter. You 100% need to declorinate every time you do a water change if you don't you will hurt your fish. You want to do about 25% water change every time
ATM colony and dr Tim's have some nitrifying bacteria in a bottle. You can buy these one or the other and use it to speed up the cycle to 7-10 days in lnstead of 6-9 weeks.
I suggest making sure the expiry on the bottles are still good. Follow directions to a T and you should have you take cycled in no time.
Best option is to get someone else media from their tank that's already cycled and healthy. You will have an instead cycle this way.
Do some reading as other suggest
I suggest making sure the expiry on the bottles are still good. Follow directions to a T and you should have you take cycled in no time.
Best option is to get someone else media from their tank that's already cycled and healthy. You will have an instead cycle this way.
Do some reading as other suggest
Yeah, and keep temps stables at around 73-75.; Ph should be around 7.5-8 ideally. Good flow, high oxygen levels good too. Ensure you are providing either fish (small and a few) or ammonia directly to feed the bacteria. If you are using fish in cycle please don't feed daily. Once every other day or once every third day is good enough. And only a small amount of food, overfeeding can cause a spike and harm the fish.