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Post by thespiffymonkey on Apr 15, 2004 11:58:51 GMT -5
I've been reading up on cycling, fishless and otherwise and I was wondering what other peoples opinins are about this.
I'm planning on cycling my tank but I want to get a feel for what some experiences have been. I don't want to hurt my fich (of course) but i think cycling will be better in the long run.
I'm a college student so I'm around my tank all day, off and on, so I would be able to keep close track of it.
Laura
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Post by ACKislander on Apr 15, 2004 14:25:18 GMT -5
Cycling is a great idea. First and foremost it's safer for the fish because it means never having to expose them to ammonia or nitrites. Secondly, there is a point in every betta keeper's life when they think, "aww, time to clean the already." This way you can do 20% water changes once a week and test much less often.
I've done both cycling with fish and bio-spira and fishless cycling and I can say, IMO, fishless cycling is so much easier. Bio-Spira is nice because it works so fast, but it neutralizes ammonia and nitrites so you can't actually SEE the spikes and therefore can't be sure that your tank is cycled. I found that a little confusing and probably wouldn't do it again. HOWEVER, bio-spira is a great product and does work well. It's up to you if you want to see the results or not.
If you have a choice, I would go ahead and set up the empty (fishless) tank and introduce ammonia. Begin testing and record your results every day. This way you can see the Ammonia spike and fall, then see the nitrites spike and fall and finally see the nitrates begin to raise. When you see 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and 10 or so nitrates, you know your done. Then you open a glass of wine and celebrate!
(Wine optional)
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spiff
Junior Bubble Nester
Posts: 228
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Post by spiff on Apr 16, 2004 14:51:05 GMT -5
I (unknowingly) cycled one of my betta tanks with three in it...my other two tanks were cycled with Bio-Spira. I much prefer the Bio-Spira method because it works instantly. A regular cycle will take weeks, but with bio-spira you can add fish immediately and not worry about them going through the cycle.
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Post by thespiffymonkey on Apr 16, 2004 17:04:19 GMT -5
So where would one aquire some of this Bio-Spira? Is that the name of the product or the active ingredient? I can't seem to find it searching on-line.
Laura
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Post by thespiffymonkey on Apr 16, 2004 17:17:19 GMT -5
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spiff
Junior Bubble Nester
Posts: 228
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Post by spiff on Apr 16, 2004 19:52:59 GMT -5
No, that's not what you want...I have used Cycle before and haven't found it to do anything. The active ingrediant is live bacteria...you won't find it at petsmart or petco or places like that. You have to go to small pet stores to find it. If you can find a store that specializes in fish, they will most likely have it. Here is a link to order Bio-Spira; however, they are out of stock until the summer and by that time you could have completed a fishless cycle www.fishstoretn.com/bio_spira.htmlYou still might be able to find it in a store like I mentioned earlier. I was at a fish store a few weeks ago and they had some still. It has to be kept cold so look for a small refridgerator that says Bio-Spira on it. Even if you don't see it, ask for it. The store that I buy mine from has it hidden behind the counter so you don't know about it unless you ask about it. |
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Post by thespiffymonkey on Apr 16, 2004 20:49:00 GMT -5
great, thanks spiff
I'll call around and see what I can find!
Laura
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Post by thespiffymonkey on Apr 17, 2004 22:53:56 GMT -5
I keep hearing that 5 gal is really the minimum size for a cycled tank. Now does that mean 5 gal of water? or 5 gal of volume? My tank is 5.5, but I haven't put more than 4 gal in it and it seems pretty full. The gravel and things seem to take up a lot of volume. Is this going to be enough water to cycle?
Laura
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spiff
Junior Bubble Nester
Posts: 228
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Post by spiff on Apr 18, 2004 1:30:29 GMT -5
I think you should be okay, as long as you have a filter and heater in the tank. I know people who have cycled 2.5 gallon tanks with no problems.
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Post by ACKislander on Apr 18, 2004 16:43:26 GMT -5
yeah. I agree with Spiff. You can cycle a 2.5 gal, you just need to be watchful. You'll be fine with 4 or 5 gal.
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Post by starlight on Apr 20, 2004 20:50:55 GMT -5
>>>... I know people who have cycled 2.5 gallon tanks with no problems.<<<
I never thought I'd read that on HB and I'm not being sarcastic either. Thanks Spiff!!
I just removed three 12 week old females from a 2.5 fully-cycled tank and put them in separate tanks. I was running two filters and their water was sheer perfection! It is easier to care from them in the cycled tank but they weren't developing as quickly as they should. I put them in individual beanie baby containers and poured the 2.5 water/java moss/poly filters in with them. This was there was no transition issues.
When you have juvie bettas in the same tank, the dominant ones put out hormones which keep the others from developing. In the next two weeks, I need to decide which one (ones) that I will keep. My betta club has a meeting and auction in early may. Right now the dominant female is the only one that shows consistant color. They'll put on better size in the containers but that 2.5 was cycled.
ps. after I removed the 3 juvies, I filled the 2.5 tank up with fresh water...that filter is too good not to recycle.
I mentioned two filters, the first was from their 1/26/04 spawn tank. I used it to start the second filter and kept it running.
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