Cycling with damsels

[bjtrapjr]

My lfs told me when I want to start cycling my new qt tank once I get the water, filter and heater in and set up just throw a couple damsels in the tank and they will start the cycle what is everyone's feelings on this method to cycle a tank

 

[coralsnaked]

The fish police will bust you !

 

[DDon]

The fish police will bust you !

LOL

You can use a shrimp (from grocery store) or just feed the tank with nothing in it to cycle it. Both will give you the ammonia you need to start the cycle.

 

[FDdragon]

I cycled mine with 2 chromis. and those two fishies have survived everything so far.

 

[Tomtopping]

Don't do it it shrimp is just as easy

 

[cloak]

I've done this before, but it's kind of cruel. There's more humane methods out there. Like DDon said, just a shrimp from the grocery store should suffice. GL.

 

[Tomtopping]

Actualy easier don't have to acclimate them

 

[bjtrapjr]

So this method works but is cruel because your initially killing the fish to Start your cycle, but cruelty aside (don't get mad I'm just asking for the knowledge) which way is better/ more efficient for the tank

 

[Golden Age]

What a jerk LFS.

 

[bjtrapjr]

Ok so I'm getting the feeling this is not a really accepted or preferred way of the hobby

 

[ca1ore]

Snipping the end of your finger off and dropping it into the tank will work too; doesn't mean you should do it though. Shrimp works just fine, no need to risk the life of a fish.

 

[Nina51]

cycling with live fish is an antiquated method. we know better now so we do better.

 

[Fishy 1]

Yeah that method is frowned upon now a days. Its better to use a grocery store shrimp or you can use ammonia from the supermarket so you don't have to deal with a rotting shrimp later

 

[tkeracer619]

So the lfs told you to cycle the tank with their ick? Makes sense... use a shrimp.

 

[shesacharmer]

How else could they sell you a fish today?

 

[Rob6311]

DONT DO IT!!! I did it and it was a horrible experience beautiful fish but not good at all unless you want a violent murderous tank from hell I exaggerate a little bit.... Just a little bit.. But in the end it's your tank and these are only suggestions from our past experience and it's your turn to form your own experiences and opinions but asking is also a good idea too

 

[thegrun]

Snipping the end of your finger off and dropping it into the tank will work too; doesn't mean you should do it though. Shrimp works just fine, no need to risk the life of a fish.

I was thinking he should snip off a different anatomical appendage, it would be more humane than using a damsel.

 

[kurt_n]

So the lfs told you to cycle the tank with their ick? Makes sense... use a shrimp.

This.

Even if you don't care about the fish, or even if it was an acceptable way to do it... why? You need to quarantine everything that is going into your display tank unless you want to spend the first year in this hobby learning how to deal with and treat ich. Even if the fish die, and the tank cycles, you may have just introduced ich into your previously pristine tank.

All you need is ammonia. Doesn't matter how you get it. One source isn't any more efficient than the other. Take the lazy way out... throw in a shrimp and let it rot until you get about 2ppm ammonia. Take it out and let the cycle finish. While that's happening, you can have your first fish (that you want... not a damsel) in quarantine serving its time.

 

[mng777777]

Consider finding a new lfs. If they are recommending this method when there are other easier methods that work just as well, you have to consider their motive. Either they are honest and super old school, in which case I wonder how in touch they are with the advances we're making everyday in the hobby. Or, they know better but just want to get you in the habit of spending money in their store. Either way, I'd question the quality of the advice you're getting from them. A lot of the old school ways of doing things have been disproved or improved upon and this is an example of that. Good luck and happy cycling!

 

[snorvich]

Consider finding a new lfs. If they are recommending this method when there are other easier methods that work just as well, you have to consider their motive. Either they are honest and super old school, in which case I wonder how in touch they are with the advances we're making everyday in the hobby. Or, they know better but just want to get you in the habit of spending money in their store. Either way, I'd question the quality of the advice you're getting from them. A lot of the old school ways of doing things have been disproved or improved upon and this is an example of that. Good luck and happy cycling!

Exactly. It shows that the LFS is self serving and/or ignorant. Either way, I would not trust any of their advice going forward.