Sorry Got Another Question

[Ontariofishkeeper]

I have a 29 gallon tank that has been running without fish for 5 days. No testing kit yet..have to wait till i get paid....(Damn budget)
Can i use 5 zebra danio's for cycling?

And how big do they get when they mature?

Have to keep that in mind so i dont overstock my new tank and have bigger issues later?

Any help would be great..
Thanks for such a great forum, and helpful fish keeping friends!!

[Jacko]

It depends on your view on ethics... IMO it's unethical to put fish in a stressful and hazardous environment without any real cause... while you can do it stresses them, the ammonia can burn them and most don't survive.

The safer method is called fishless cycling, that's using an alternative source for ammonia than fish poo, like ammonia or even a prawn stuck on a stick in there. This is the method I'd always recomend, since there are no fish there's no worry about them dieing.

[Northernguy]

Its also cheaper to cycle with ammonia because you save on dechlorinator,testing chemicals and fish.
Fishless cycling is faster! You have to do a lot less water changes.I was doing them daily for weeks trying to keep the toxins down.It was a major pita.It took a little longer than 6wks!

[KingFisher]

I agree with Jacko and Northernguy. Fishless is a better way to go.

[Ontariofishkeeper]

So where would i get ammonia and how much to use with a 29 gallon tank?

[Jacko]

You can find it at some hardware places, Ace hardware has some... just make sure it is pure ammonia, without any soaps or additives... if you shake it and it leaves bubbles on top, don't use it.

[Ontariofishkeeper]

ok then what? is it like a couple drops per gallon or something like that?

Then when the ammonia levels drop then it is ok to add fish?

[robflanker]

You need a testing kit to accurately figure out how much ammonia to add.

If you read the fishless cycling sticky, in the Cycling sub-forum it'll tell you the exact way to do it

[KingFisher]

Here is a link to the free E-book. You can read all about cycling there:
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[Ontariofishkeeper]

i have read the e-book and well it mentions the fishles cycle but doesnt really go into detail. I will try my luck at doing it myself and go from there...thanks Kingfisher

[robflanker]

This should work;
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

Its very detailed and an excellent write-up by Lady Hobbs. I used this with success.

I wouldnt wing it OFK - i'd read Hobbs first

[Ontariofishkeeper]

well 50 buck in gas later i cannot find pure ammonia anywhere. tried every hardware store in my town....found some that had something it......did the shake test and there was bubbles. i dont know what to do! i am out of ideas and need some options.......

[robflanker]

The shake test isnt perfect.

Mine foamed a little, but after examining the contents I was comfortable with it not containing any soaps

[MrDrums]

Well, for what it is worth, I have never cycled without fish, and have never had any problems. After doing some extensive research, however, I am sure that the next time I need to cycle a tank I'll go with the fishless cycle.

Having said that, The danios I cycled the tank with my first time around in this hobby died of old age, some years later. Granted, at that time, I didn't really KNOW they were being used to cycle my tank! But it can be done successfully with no loss of life - you just have to keep a close watch on them while you cycle, making sure you keep up with the water changes.

Before you go that route, though, there are other ways to create ammonia in your tank to get the cycle going. PErhaps others can jump in here....I have heard of "feeding" the tank....allowing food to decay, thus creating the needed ammonia...don't know all the specifics on this though...

Be patient, it will happen.

[Little Embers]

A supermarket should have some Pure white ammonia.

It may take longer, but you can always just feed the tank using fish food as Mr. Drums mentioned, it will decay and produce ammonia.

[bushwhacker]

i know i'm in the minority, but i always do a fish in cycle... simply because i hate an empty tank... proper testing and water changes as needed i dont feel stress the fish as much as claimed.. been doing this for several decades.. yes i've lost fish who hasn't? how you cycle your tank is a personal choice.. read the stickys and make up YOUR mind.. any ammonia without detergets or scents is good. if it says contains surfactants dont worry they are not soap... shake it real good if it foams there is soap dont use it

[Little Embers]

Getting away from any ethical standpoint of "Fish" or "Fishless" cycling....I believe that most people get into trouble when cycling with fish because they overstock and overfeed from the word "go" and then panic when the ammonia rises. Often they are not equipped with the necessary test kits to monitor water parameters or keep up with water changes when needed. Many loose patience and may start adding all these extra chemicals (which I think just do more harm than good) to try and combat the ammonia or deal with cloudy water/bacterial blooms etc. which can normally occur when cycling, instead of doing water changes.

The bacteria will colonise naturally in its own timeframe...The thing is you just need to be prepared, patient, use restraint in relation to stocking/feeding and don't panic during they cycling process......I think "Patience" is worth mentioning again. :ssmile:

[Mith]

Pure amonia is frequently found at 99cent stores...

[Ontariofishkeeper]

Thanks for all the help. After talking to an old aquarium store owner here in my town. He uses the "cycle" stuff you can get at the pet store, he said he leaves the tank running for a week doing three water changes a week, and he has had no issues. mind you he also said do 4 fish every two weeks. start with the little ones first and go from there......i do not know if it is right, and if any one has tried this pleae let me know if it worked for you?

[mommy1]

have you read the e-book and the cycling threads. i strongly suggest you go to the cycling forum and read the stickies (at the top printed in red). they are cycling with bacteria boosters, cycling with fish and cycling without fish. read them. make a decision. and let us know what you decide.

[mommy1]

that was rude and unnecissary jackson! :stickwhack:

[Sharon]

So rude, that I have deleted it!

[Wild Turkey]

Thanks for all the help. After talking to an old aquarium store owner here in my town. He uses the "cycle" stuff you can get at the pet store, he said he leaves the tank running for a week doing three water changes a week, and he has had no issues. mind you he also said do 4 fish every two weeks. start with the little ones first and go from there......i do not know if it is right, and if any one has tried this pleae let me know if it worked for you?

He has the right idea, but I also think we can help additionally.

First I have to add, 2 weeks is right on!!!! BUT its 2 weeks from 0/0/some (no cycling issues) before adding more fish.

Also, I strongly recommend Tetra SafeStart or API StressZyme over "cycle". The reason is the "old" cycle is worthless, the new cycle seems better but still doesnt seem to work the majority of the time.

For a laugh heres the review for it from our users:

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[MrDrums]

I like StressZyme and StressCoat, personally. I use them both faithfully at every water change. Just finished a water change a few min. ago as a matter of fact. I was just teaching my 7 yr. old how to do a WC with the Python. He is suddenly very interested in the fish tank!

[Ontariofishkeeper]

ok i am confused again, just bought a api test kit. and it says that i have 2 ppm of ammonia in the tank. How is this possible if i havent done anything?

[Mith]

i have read the e-book and well it mentions the fishles cycle but doesnt really go into detail. I will try my luck at doing it myself and go from there...thanks Kingfisher


I fishless cycled my 125g.... some said use a capful/gal... lol. Well, I used a hel... er, heck of a lot more than that. I believe the object is to attain 4ppm amonia. You WILL need a testing kit (liquid, NOT strips)...


Most 99¢ stores have "pure amonia" but make sure you give it the "shake" test to make sure it doesn't bubble. You don't want soap (or that other stuff that makes it bubble)....

You can get a HUGE jug of "Pure Amonia" for a buck! Good luck!

[Ontariofishkeeper]

Well i am very confused with the test results. I retried the test and it came out the same. 2ppm, how is this possible? Havent added anything! otehr then aqua plus & cycle.

[rich311k]

Test your tap water. Both straight and dechlored.

[Ontariofishkeeper]

hey Rich311k, i tested my tap water and the treated water and they both come up with 0ppm!

[rich311k]

What is in the tank? Any live plants or wood? I agree that is very odd.

[Ontariofishkeeper]

I have a piece of driftwood,which is attached to a piece of slate. plastic plants (Idont have enought light to grow real plants) and about 2-4 inches of small gravel!