Important Message to Beginners

[lyinxz]

Do Fishless Cycling!!!

It will save you so much stress and money.

[jeffs99dime]

Do Fishless Cycling!!!

It will save you so much stress and money.

this should be put at the top of the menu in bold, red lettering^^^

[Lady Hobbs]

You got that right!

[sergo]

without a doubt do a fishless cylce. i set my tank 1.14 and put some bettas in there only to take them out 2 days later for fear of killing them when the ammonia level started to skyrocket. since then both ammonia and nitrites have spiked and are now on the way down. my cycle is alost done but would have never have happened this fast with fish in it. not to mention they would have died a painful death. the toughest part of doing a fishless cycle for me was finding some pure ammonia which i ended up finding at a ma' and pa' hardware store. this IS the only way to do it!

[bettaboy691]

i know you are all probally going to hate me for this but what the hell, i prefer cycling with a fish such as a livebearer or tetras.i have found this way to be much more sucessful and have not lost any fish because of this.infact some of my livebearers even had fry later in its life.also its because i can not find pure ammonia anywhere and its very expensive.people have done cycling with fish for years and years and has been sucsessful and i think betta for the tank.as long as you measure water peramiters every day and look after the fish,its a good way to go.obviously i wouldnt put a fishes life in danger for no reason, and for that pouit made, take good care of all my fish,no matter what.

[jeffs99dime]

actually, the best way, if you can do it, is to use established substrate and filter material from an established tank in the new tank.

[Lady Hobbs]

Pure ammonia can be bought easily at any Dollar Stores as well as other places. I'd be surprised if it cost $1 a bottle.

[sergo]

i can not find pure ammonia anywhere and its very expensive.i know what you mean. i went to 5 different places. 3 high-end grocery stores, target and home depot. i finally just decided to check a little hardware store by my house and they had it. although it was only $2.70 for a quart. although i wouldn't call it expensive and it does have multiple purposes.

[Severus]

Great advice! lol