SuperScro

I didn't read the entire post, I must admit i am lazy, but I did a skim.

I started my cycling process with 2 silver hatchets. They are very sensitive fish, they can get ill very easily. I am not sure how these guys made it through the entire process, but they never got a disesase or sick at all. I don't know what I did, but I still have them now, very healthy, and I whole heartedly love them.

A test kit would be a good idea, i used the tubes, they were cheaper and gave accurate results. Make sure you test everyday to see how it is working out.

Patience is what you need to get the tank done, its hard to wait a long time with a fishless cycle. However if you keep your patience, it will be very much worth it when its all complete.

__________________
20g Freshwater tank
2 Silver Hatchetfish
2 Marbled Hatchet
1 German Gold Ram (female)
1 German Blue Ram (male)
3 False Juli Cats (small size)
Lots of Live plants

Tommy Gun

My psychic ability says that many people are about to say that cycling with fish is unethical and really a bad idea. I would be one of them, and I base my opinion on the sheer fact that why cycle with fish if you can acheive the same goal without putting any lives in harm's way? Like I said, no one can really say which is faster and I have a feeling that if you were to say "well, cycling with fish means I have something to look at while I am getting the tank ready", then I would hope you do not enjoy looking at sick or potentially dying fish because they look much better healthy, alert, and alive. But this is just my opinion.

andy53

This is really true. I can't wait to get my own place; I have huge dreams.


Also I feel really bad for not fully researching before I got started. I listened to the guy at the LFS that told me silver hatchet would be good "starter" fish. Now I will only do fishless cycles, and also do way more research before I do anything.