Faster Cycling???

[kamfu195]

I first started cycling my tank 2 days ago. I have a 20 gallon tank with 3 serpae tetra as "starter fish". After only about 3 days i am getting unpatient. I was wondering if anybody had any suggestions on how to speed up this process. Thanks for your Help!

KAMFU 195 -

[PostalPenguin]

Tetra safestart is about the only thing I have heard to "speed" up the cycling. I have tried Cycle and it only seemed to jumpstart the ammonia => nitrite step while doing nothing for the nitrite => nitrate step. However, you will learn that nothing good ever happens quickly in an aquarium so be patient, check the water and keep up with the water changes. Good luck!

[AABatteries]

Patience is one of the key things when it comes to fish keeping. If you could get some cycled filter media you would have an almost instant cycle(only about 24hrs).

[Sharon]

Unless you can get some mature media( from someone you trust to be disease free), you just have to wait! Patience is a virtue!:ssmile:

[Anomaly]

Yep . . . you'll need some seeded filter media to achieve an almost instant cycle. We've had success with bio-spira in the past but there was still a pretty hefty ammonia spike that we had to keep in check.

[HomaridNoob6]

AABatteries said it really well, patience is a big thing in this hobby. It's not so bad though, it all pays off in the end. Hang in there!

[bushwhacker]

patience grasshopper LOL yeah its tough waiting for a tank to get ready but its really worth the wait.. if you know some one local that will give you a piece of sponge or some old filter floss from their tank you coud be up and running tomorrow,, you have fish in that tank you really need to keep a check on your parameters and be ready to change water when its needed

[MikeinNJ]

ive used tetras safe start and turbo start 700, for the price turbo start i found cheaper for my 125gallon, i did manage to cycle it completely in about 8 days. i used ammonia got my levels up to about 5ppm then put the turbo start in and in about 8 days im fully done, and am quite happy with it:1luvu:

[bushwhacker]

ive used tetras safe start and turbo start 700, for the price turbo start i found cheaper for my 125gallon, i did manage to cycle it completely in about 8 days. i used ammonia got my levels up to about 5ppm then put the turbo start in and in about 8 days im fully done, and am quite happy with it:1luvu:

mike i'm not questioning you but i'd watch that tank close for a few weeks

[MikeinNJ]

what would you watch for exactly? the ammonia or .....?

[bushwhacker]

ammonia and the nitrite spike.. i really doubt that tanks cycled i may be wrong and hope i am what do you have in it?

[MikeinNJ]

well i still have nothing in the tank after my initial ammonia spike, my nitrites went sky high took few days to come down but now if i add ammonia to 1-2ppm its gone within id say about 10-15 hrs, ive always done the cruel fish cycling, so this would be my 1st fishless cycle. im trying to do this correctly as im not ready to kill off my fronts

[bushwhacker]

fish cycling is not cruel if you do it properly... i dont give a crap what ya hear.. thats just a personal choice good on ya if ya think fishless is better. so you have ammo down in 15 hours if nitrite are also 0 do a change and add your fronts

[MikeinNJ]

yeah i used to use mollies but put the through 2 cyclings already they did my 55 and the 36 so figured id let the 36 be there retirement home, i just did my water change on sunday dumped about 30 gallons out, and figured id do the transfer on fri when i can get some help, thanks for the help for making sure im doing it right thumbs2:

[bushwhacker]

mike i wouldnt wait till friday, you need fish in there now if you wait till then your filter may die... just my opinion but you have to feed that bacteria

[MikeinNJ]

i have syndontis multis with them maybe ill just get them in there for now to keep it going

[bushwhacker]

kamfu195 first off i'd like to apoligise for hijackin your thread.. mike you can start a thread or pm me and we can continue this coversation