Remember the tank my neighbors bought me?

[riot]

I decided not to go SW due to cost. So I set it up last weekend and it is cycling nicely. Here is a pic I snapped a while ago. This is slowly becoming my fav tank.

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[frizzlefish]

Looks good so far!

[Jaster]

Very cool!! Looks nice. thumbs2:

[Lady Hobbs]

You stick a black background on that tank and you have yourself a dandy! How are you cycling........with pure ammonia?

[riot]

Since the water here tests fine right out of the faucet. I am letting the plants take care of the cycling. I have done it this way a few times and it usually only takes a week for the tank to be fish ready. When I set the tank up I used a bacteria booster/water conditioner so that helps out as well.

[Lady Hobbs]

Plants do not cycle a tank. The nitrogen cycle needs a source of ammonia be it raw shrimp or fish,ammonia from a bottle or ammonia produced by fish.
Plants in water is plants in water.

If cycling with fish, bacteria boosters need to be added at the same time.

[Wild Turkey]

Basically, you are cycling with fish.

IMO 95% of silent cycling is BS. You are still going to have the same results as a fish cycle in that tank, and you will have to take the same actions to ensure the safety of your fish. You are talking about 10x that many plants for a true silent cycle.

I highly recommend seeding the filter if possible, since you say its ur "favorite tank" i assume you have another?

The tank really does look great even without the fish, i agree slap a black background on there and it will be looking excellent.thumbs2:

Edit: hobbs beat me to it :D

[Brookfish]

Nice job on the tank, looking good!

[riot]

Basically, you are cycling with fish.

IMO 95% of silent cycling is BS. You are still going to have the same results as a fish cycle in that tank, and you will have to take the same actions to ensure the safety of your fish. You are talking about 10x that many plants for a true silent cycle.

I highly recommend seeding the filter if possible, since you say its ur "favorite tank" i assume you have another?

The tank really does look great even without the fish, i agree slap a black background on there and it will be looking excellent.thumbs2:

Edit: hobbs beat me to it :D

Precisely. I am doing a cycle with fish... without fish. =) I am actually using media from an established tank in the HOB filter. So that helps as well. Also the water changes I am doing all include bacteria booster. Thank you guys for your comments and input! I'm not a huge fan of background on tanks but I think I'm going to get one today and apply it. I will take pics so keep a look out! =)

[Wild Turkey]

One sec, Both the media and the bacteria booster need fish to be introduced to the tank the same day in order for them to work. They both contain the bacteria which needs an ammonia source to live.

However, if you add more (because now the bacteria is dead unless youve been adding ammonia) media and add a few small fish the same day, its not a fish cycle. It really isnt any cycle, but if you wanted to call something a "silent cycle" honestly that would be appropriate in my opinion. Either way, its the best waythumbs2:

[Northernguy]

The tank looks great!
Simple but very nice!
I like the Tetra Safe Start for giving a bacteria boost.It seems to be the best one on the market.

[riot]

One sec, Both the media and the bacteria booster need fish to be introduced to the tank the same day in order for them to work. They both contain the bacteria which needs an ammonia source to live.

However, if you add more (because now the bacteria is dead unless youve been adding ammonia) media and add a few small fish the same day, its not a fish cycle. It really isnt any cycle, but if you wanted to call something a "silent cycle" honestly that would be appropriate in my opinion. Either way, its the best waythumbs2:

The tank has only been running since sunday so I'm sure there is still bacterial life in the media. Looks like a trip to the LFS is in order. :19:

[Wild Turkey]

The tank has only been running since sunday so I'm sure there is still bacterial life in the media. Looks like a trip to the LFS is in order. :19:

The bacteria will die in less than a day without an ammonia source of some kind. Since its a new tank, thats the case and the bacteria has died. BUT the good news, is you just need another little piece to add from the other tank, add it to the new tank's filter when you get home with the fish. You can also rub the two medias together a bit, and test to see if it worked, repeat as needed. Dont be afraid to add the bio supplement periodically, you cant overdose it.

[Lady Hobbs]

Add only a few fish, the bacteria booster and then a few more fish every couple of weeks.

A true silent cycle is actually just a cycle with fish but with tons of plants to help with the toxins. You do not have enough plants to absorb the toxins but the bacteria booster will help. I believe by now your seeded filter media has probably died.

[KcEE]

Nice setup you have there. Can't wait to see the tank with the background on. I guess you have to start the cycle again. Good luck with it!

[riot]

You guys are great! Thank you once again for setting me straight. I guess I've gotten lucky in the past with the way I cycle.

I'm thinking tetras, galaxy rasboras for this tank. A ton of small fish is what I have in mind and I can't wait!

[sharonm]

Very, very, nice!!!Sharon

[mommy1]

i like the way you set up the rocks and the plants. cant wait to see it with the fish. :goldfish: :fish:

[KingFisher]

Nice aquascape. I can't wait to see it with the background and fish.thumbs2:thumbs2:thumbs2:

[Hailey]

Wow, it looks great! The rocks go great in there

[Dixie]

You got great advice on getting through a cycle. Just add some more media from an established filter and some fish and your set. That being said lol....

What a gorgeous little tank! You say it was a gift from a neighbor? WOW you've got great neighbors. Can't wait to see it with fish. I like plain backgrounds the best, either blue or black (mine are black).

[Dixie]

Oh a cheap way to do a plain background is to paint the back glass (on the outside of course). You can spray paint it and that is more durable but I used a roller and brush with a bottle of acrylic craft paint and it's fine. You just have to be careful not to scratch the paint off (like when attaching a hob filter, as I did). I chose that type of paint because it's easy to remove in case I changed my mind about it.

[fraggle]

That tank looks awesome!!!! I agree, a black background, especially with the neons and galaxies, will look great!thumbs2: