Ok, what to do next?? Cycle question

[wildbills 72 gallon]

My 72 gal has been full of water and cycling with a new rena xp3 for alittle over a week. The tank is fully decorated and Im just letting it run. Im about to add my rena 300 watt heater tomorrow to get the tank up to 78-79 degrees for the cichlids when I add them. I havent tested the water yet. The water has a filmy substance at the top. Do I just continue to let the tank do its thing? What do I do next guys?

[SkipW]

If your not adding an ammonia source to the water, then your not "cycling" your tank. Your just circulating the water. Read up on cycling the tank and the nitrogen cycle before you add your fish. You can find info under cycling...
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aqua...play.php?f=111

It's not to late to do it right the first time.

[SkipW]

You will also need a good liquid test kit. Not the strip tests. API Freshwater Master Test Kit is a very popular one and is usually cheaper if purchased online instead of your LFS.

http://www.petmountain.com/product/a...-test-kit.html

You'll need to be testing for Ammonia/Nitrites/Nitrates to know when your tank is fully cycled. Keep in mind this usually takes 4-6 weeks on average.

You've come to the right place and there is a lot of good people here to help you through the process.

[wildbills 72 gallon]

If your not adding an ammonia source to the water, then your not "cycling" your tank. Your just circulating the water. Read up on cycling the tank and the nitrogen cycle before you add your fish. You can find info under cycling...
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aqua...play.php?f=111

It's not to late to do it right the first time.

ok thanks. Ill also be adding a 14-16 inch buble wand for better circulation and oxygen

[wildbills 72 gallon]

ok thanks. Ill also be adding a 14-16 inch buble wand for better circulation and oxygen

also, do i just feed the tank a small amount of fish food per day?

[fins_n_fur]

You can do it that way, or you can click on the link in my signature to read how to do a fishless cycle with ammonia.

[ohmikeosh]

I dont know what your plan is, but I am on my second tank cycling and i used ace hardware brand ammonia. It is like two dollars and using pure ammonia over food allows you to have much more control over your ammonia levels and I am quite certain will be much easier and probably quicker than using food. The food will probably take a few days just to get an ammonia reading; whereas the pure ammonia is just that pure ammonia and register right away thus starting the cycle faster. Either way good luck.

[wildbills 72 gallon]

I dont know what your plan is, but I am on my second tank cycling and i used ace hardware brand ammonia. It is like two dollars and using pure ammonia over food allows you to have much more control over your ammonia levels and I am quite certain will be much easier and probably quicker than using food. The food will probably take a few days just to get an ammonia reading; whereas the pure ammonia is just that pure ammonia and register right away thus starting the cycle faster. Either way good luck.

Ok thanks guy. Are one of these bacterial supplements the same thing as the ammonia? I added the becterial supplement but it thats not what I need I can do the ammonia. Let me know

[Lady Hobbs]

The bacteria boosters are used when adding fish right away. They do not cycle the tank but help keep the toxic levels down so the fish can better survive. You still need to monitor your water daily and be prepared to do water changes as needed. You will need a test kit no matter how you cycle or you'll be driving blind.

[wildbills 72 gallon]

The bacteria boosters are used when adding fish right away. They do not cycle the tank but help keep the toxic levels down so the fish can better survive. You still need to monitor your water daily and be prepared to do water changes as needed. You will need a test kit no matter how you cycle or you'll be driving blind.

got the api master test kit on the way. Should be here in a few days