Beginner Q: How long to fishless cycle a 5g tank at room temp. ?

**Streen** · 07-14-2009, 01:23 PM

Hey everyone, my dog died recently and I've been in need of a companion so I'm getting my old 5 gallon plastic tank out with the intent of eventually putting in a few fish and a crayfish.

Reading up on crayfish care it seems they appreciate colder water, and I dont have a heater so this seems like a good fit, but the "How to.." articles on properly cycling a tank all assume I have a heater to get the temperatures higher so the bacteria grows faster.

So theres the question, how long would you estimate it might take for a tank to cycle at just 70 degrees F? Would it make a pronounced difference, such as doubling the time required, or would it just be a matter of a few days longer?

Many thanks in advance for any help anyone can give me...

**rich311k** · 07-14-2009, 01:37 PM

bacteria grow faster a t warmer temperatures. At room temperature it will just take a little longer, nothing to worry about, everything else will go the same way.