Tropical Fish Forums

[cherrybarb06]

On average, how long does fishless cycling take? If you've tried it how was your experience? Do you have any pointers or mistakes I should avoid (even though I've already ran into a few )?

[ah_hup]

I used prawns in my fishless cycling. and I also used Seachem Stability. took me 8 days to finish cycling my tank.

[Funky Fish]

Ah_Hup how do you know when you have finshed cycling?!?!

[ceci9293]

Here's a great reference: http://www.aquahobby.com/articles/e_fishless.php

You have to test the water for spikes in ammonia, then nitrites, and when both of those have happened and then returned to zero, you're done. The only way you'll know though is if you're testing regularly.

Also, remember that once you're done, you have to add fish slowly because your bacteria colony has to adjust to the new bioload. If you increase the load too quickly, your tank will have to minicycle and your fish will suffer ammonia poisoning even after all your hard work.

[Elliott]

a great and fast way to cycle youre tank is to use filter media and water from a friends or relatives tank. Or if you don't know anyone with a tank you could ask at you lfs for some established media. Another good way is to use snails, they can live through anything and they poop like hell. Shaves nearlly all the weeks off your cycling.