Understanding tank cycling.

[Ianab]

going with a fishless cycle, is it a must to start with bottled bacteria or can you just start with nothing???

The cycle will start by itself because the bacteria spores are floating around in the air all the time. When they land in a suitable environment (like a new tank with traces of ammonia in it) they will take up residence and start to multiply.

If you add media from an established tank or a live bacteria culture then it may be faster thats all, just because you have started out with more.

Cheers

Ian

 

[Dr Joe]

Thanks for the great response dr.Joe. My only question is, going with a fishless cycle, is it a must to start with bottled bacteria or can you just start with nothing???

As far as aeration goes, you are just refering to having some sort of air pump into the tank to add 02 and surface distrubance?

Yes, you can start out with nothing...but consider the odds of the proper bacteria landing on the tank surface of the tank, and getting past the surface tension of the water. It also depends on your air quality . There is an old school of thought that you can put some unadulterated (no fertilizers, poisons etc.) dirt (just a pinch or two) on the top of the filter (can't get much cheaper than dirt cheap). This will make the cycle longer than with bottled bacteria (BB). Stay away from using anything dead (ie shrimp, chopped clams) you just don't want to go there.

You can use the above method with either type of cycling method , BUT NEVER use the ammonia with the live fish cycling method! I know this should be common sense but there's alway that one person you have to tell not to stick the fork in the electrical outlet.

Yes to the aeration, a bubble wand and an air pump that will push air to the bottom of the tank are all that's needed. You may have a friend that would like to donate to the cause if you don't have one (shame on you ).

Dr Joe

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[Formula_JP]

im starting to understand.

hope my city water does the job :/