Unrelated Fresh Water Question

[johnfallon135]

i've never had a fresh water tank and was just wondering is there any cycling needed when starting one or could i just toss fish and water together? thanks

 

[pyithar]

you need to cycle the tank first(fishless cycling). ammonia is toxic to all fish.

 

[johnfallon135]

you need to cycle the tank first(fishless cycling). ammonia is toxic to all fish.

thanks how do i do that? just add water and put biomax or some sort of bio media in the filter? is there any bacteria i need to add? how long is the cycle process?

 

[pyithar]

add water(dechlorinate if you're using tap water) and ammonia source(liquid ammonia or raw shrimp) till it reaches around 3.0ppm on ammonia test. keep testing ammonia and nitrite. when both tests read zero, the cycle is finished. you'll have some nitrate by this time so you can do a water change. average cycling time is about 4 to 6 weeks. people nowadays use bacteria products to speed up the cycle. i don't have any experience with those products so i have no idea which ones work.

 

[Dakbur]

The bacteria products that I utilize to speed the cycle in freshwater is Start Smart Freshwater and Tetra Safestart plus.

 

[Dogshowgrl]

Add the bacteria and one or two fish depending on how big the tank is. Watch for cycling, it won't be huge because of the bacteria but in a week you should see the results of ammonia 0, nitrite 0, and nitrates rising. Then you can add more fish. It's just like saltwater but those fish are a lot more forgiving. Tetras are more sensitive than say a cichlid, but all are pretty tough. Except discus and neon tetras. Those things are crazy sensitive. Good luck!

 

[Reef Frog]

In both FW & SW, don't add fish until the ammonia and nitrate readings have dropped to zero (0), and confirm that nitrates have appeared. Then do a partial water change to lower that nitrate some; 10%-20%. Then it's time to add the first fish. Add the others slowly as your bio filter builds strength.

 

[RynoParsons]

I use prodibio or microbelift special blend to cycly my freshwater tanks. usually for about 4weeks dosing almost daily. i use seachem matrix as bio media in a canister filter works great

 

[johnfallon135]

this is the same process for salt water is there any difference? why is salt water generally said to be a longer cycle when it needs the same nitrogen cycle process?

 

[johnfallon135]

also i went to the store and they told me to just use Nutrafin Cycle for 20 mins on new water then i can add my fish instantly this isn't working as my fish died. if nutrafin is instant bacteria don't i need to add ammonia first like how salt water is cycled?

 

[jstack]

this is the same process for salt water is there any difference? why is salt water generally said to be a longer cycle when it needs the same nitrogen cycle process?

sw has extra cycles diatom's various algae/blooms mainly do to the live rock we use as the filter's

 

[heathlindner25]

In both FW & SW, don't add fish until the ammonia and nitrate readings have dropped to zero (0), and confirm that nitrates have appeared. Then do a partial water change to lower that nitrate some; 10%-20%. Then it's time to add the first fish. Add the others slowly as your bio filter builds strength.

This is the correct advice to listen to.... ammonia on fish gills is the same whether it's freshwater or saltwater. Some people may have different opinions

 

[johnfallon135]

yes but i'm wondering why would the lfs tell me to just add Nutrafin Cycle bacteria and then i can add fish after 20mins they're definitely wrong right? how should i go about using this Nutrafin Cycle? do i need to add ammonia first then the Nutrafin?

 

[anthonys51]

even with the bottle of bacteria, you should still need to add fish slowly and don't really feed too much until the tank is fully cycle. freshwater fish might be more forgiving then saltwater fish, but adding them too soon will still stress them out and might kill them or shorten there life span.
my advice is use the bacteria and add like 3 little fish and wait.

 

[johnfallon135]

that is what i'm doing actually

 

[johnfallon135]

i have AmQuel+ as well could it be useful in anyway? is it used to cycle tanks or suppose to be used when tanks are already established? as well i'm just using biomax to cycle my tank is carbon really necessary?

 

[polaravic]

I added a large Amazon Sword plant right away on day one. It thrived and grew like a weed into a beautiful centre piece.

polaravic

 

[RynoParsons]

you can add plants on day one. before you fill up the tank. but no fish. you will still get diatoms and some algae in the first few months of a freshwater tank. the isnt anything like a instant cycle.

 

[johnfallon135]

is there such thing as a instant cycle?