Please Explain: Cycling

[801]

lol... ok now that i sound like a total noob, i assure you that i'm not.
but it has been a very long time since i've had a fish tank. and i want to make sure i get everything right.

can somebody please write me up a proper step-by-step checklist on the correct procedures to cycle a new tank? leave out no detail. i dont want to miss anything.


oh and maybe explain how to use a test kit. like what levels i should be looking for, and how often to test.

thank you thumbs2:

[AuroraAustralis]

I think most of the answers you are after should be found in the free ebook. There are also quite alot of posts about cycling that will give you good advice.
It will depend on whether you intend to fishless cycle or not as to how to approach it. Fishless cycling is kinder to fish and faster too ;o)
Test kits vary but will come with instructions. The test strips are not as accurate as the test solution (water and chemical drops) type though.

[kimmers318]

Take the time to download the ebook, read it, and then we can answer any other Q's you may have. That book should answer most everything for you though, it is very well written and thought out and done in a manner that is easy to understand.

[henkychif]

also...

There are really two cycles going on. One bacteria changes ammonia to nitrite. Another changes nitrite to nitrate. It's been my experience that the first one is very easy to grow, but the one that produces nitrate takes a longer time to establish a good culture.

Test kits you should have: ammonia, nitrite, nitrate.

Tough to find pure ammonia (no detergent additives!!!) for fishless cycling. "Hannafords" brand is ok.

Try to get gravel or (best of all) ceramic biomedia from a tank that's already cycled. With Cycle, it is very easy to get the first kind of bacteria established, but it took me a month to fishless-cycle using Cycle. I'm told Bio-Spira is better, but no LFS around here stocked it.

[Lady Hobbs]

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