Question about tank cycling

[fishguy83]

ok - so you say adding something from an established tank - well that adds the bacteria then ---

but, in a new tank, that isn't able to obtain that bacteria, how does it cycle? (tanks have been started w/o having something in it from an established tank)

- ammonia, which is what the live shrimp, ghost feeding, whatnot produces - will "feed" the bacteria and allow it to grow




these seems right to me, but maybe i'm just crazy? :rollface:

water just sitting out, in a jug, where (in perfect conditions) it is unable to have a source of ammonia (waste) - will not cycle, will it?

 

[Bluemorningwind]

OK...Anything, including livestock, carries bacteria.

This cycle you continue to push is really a non issue. We're not dealing with LR. There's no reason for, or need for, any type of spike or cycle.

All we need is a viable population of bacteria. It isn't complicated or tricky and is, in fact, the most basic and simple of things when keeping any captive aquatic system. We can hardy stop it really. It happens without our help. Just let it be and it will be fine.

I wish you all the best with it.

 

[Kurt03]

In a new tank there will always be a spike during its initial cycle. The only way to avoid this that i can think of is if you had media from a established tank that you could use. Even then you could still have a small spike. The only thing we are changing by adding ammonia, shrimp or anything else besides fish is that the spike occurs with out your new expensive live fish in there. You get your bioload up so that you can add your new fish into the established tank. If done properly there would be no or little spike for your new fish. The less stress i can put on a new fish i buy the better imo.

 

[Bluemorningwind]

No, there will not always be a spike.

I strongly doubt that you have any real experience.

Nothing is gained by adding ammonia or dead things.

I hope that you can continue to gain experience and also continue to post as you do.

All the best.

 

[Kurt03]

there will not be a spike if your not using seeded media from another tank? There has to be a spike while the bacteria is growing to handle the load that you have in the tank, while its populating you will have a buildup of ammonia then when that bacterias there and starts turning it into nitrite you will have a slow build up of that untill there is enough of that bacteria to keep it all converted to nitrate. The bacteria isnt just there when you put the fish in. If theres a way to cycle a new tank with out any media from any other tank, and not have any spikes, please tell me how. I am somewhat new but i do alot of reading.

 

[Bluemorningwind]

Too much reading and not enough experience can be a bad thing.

OK, If your really interested, try this: Add a small CUC after a week. Add your first fish a week after that. Continue to add to your tank...slowly. The amount of ammonia created by a single fish is minimal. You won't be able to measure it. Of course, you need to feed small amounts, just as you would normally.

Adding a piece of good LR prior to livestock would be an advantage.

Providing you don't have a lot of die off, as you would after adding a lot of poor LR that's been transported, you won't see a spike.

I never have. Except after adding bad LR.

That's why I strongly believe in add small amounts of quality rock. Transportation of LR creates all types of problems, but if it's the only way you can get it then you have to, I guess.

Keep at and don't forget to question everything and keep an open mind.

All the best.