I need MAJOR cycling help.

Nathan879 · 10-30-2009, 08:44 PM

I am getting 5 gallon tank with a few guppies. Please don't tell me to get a larger one, I can't at the moment. I want to do a fishless cycle. Every site i look at tells me different ways to do this, and I don't know which one to do. Can some one please give me simple instructions, as I am only 13. Can you also please add detail, like if I need to buy shrimp, what kind. How warm should the water be. Thanks a lot to whoever gives an effort to answer this, it means a bunch. Oh some last questions,sorry!, when I do water changes what do I put inside the new water?? What kind of water do I use, tap?

mark razmandi · 10-30-2009, 09:19 PM

Welcome man! 13 is when i started with a 10g, im 19 now

use tap water, you also need a water conditioner to remove chloamines and chlorine from the tap

here is a copy/paste of a write up i did on fishless cycling

Every new tank, with new filtration, has to be cycled to be safe for aquatic life. What is meant by "cycled"?
"Cycled" is a reference to the Nitrogen cycle. This is the bio filtration that happens in our filters.
In short,
"Ammonia" (toxic fish waste) is converted by bacteria into
"Nitrite" (toxic as well) then converted by a second type of bacteria into
"Nitrate"(basicaly harmless in low concentrations) that gasses off in the Aquarium.

This read is not for the advanced water chemist, this read is directed to
those fishkeepers that do not know what the nitrogen cycle is, and have had problems with keeping fish alive and well in their new tanks and with new filtration...

OK to start off there are a few things that you are going to have to have PERIOD...
1)Water test kit (Ammonia,Nitrite,Nitrate)
2)patience
3)Commitment to cycle the tank completely
4)Pure household Ammonia (clear w/no soaps or fragrance)
a)shake bottle- if there are bubbles - no good
if it looks like water - way good
5)Aquarium needing cycling with the water set to 85 degrees F.
6)Filtration, installed and working properly.

First thing, first...
Bacteria thrives in water over 80 degrees F.
Make sure to set the temp to 85 degrees F.

Once you determine how much water you have in the system, de-chlorinated the water with a de-chlorinator that does not contain anything that says "eliminates ammonia etc." I use stresscoat and I know that works.

Now, you'll add 5 DROPS of Ammonia per 10 gallons, no more no less. Pick a time of day that you'll be able to take readings, everyday, for a couple of weeks.

Do this everyday until you see a measurable amount of Nitrites.
When you have a Nitrite reading, this means you have started the nitrogen cycle and are effectively growing the Beneficial Bacteria, that converts the Ammonia into Nitrite. We are half way there.

Now you will lower the amount of Ammonia to 3 drops per 10 gallons per day. You will do this until you get a reading of
0 Ammonia and 0 Nitrites. ZERO means ZERO, no matter how long it takes to get there. You are now building the Bacteria that converts the Nitrite into Nitrate.

Ok, so now we are adding 3 drops per 10 gallons of water daily.
We are getting a reading of Zero Ammonia / Zero Nitrite and we have a Nitrate reading of 20-40 ppm. You are almost there.

You need to do a 50% waterchange with de-chlorinated water and adjust your temperature. Now is the time to get your fish. Acclimate them and get them in your properly cycled tank...enjoy them as they will be enjoying your correct water parameters...

I hope this gets you on the right track right off...If you have any questions PM me, I'll be glad to help out...

Nathan879 · 10-31-2009, 03:42 AM

What do you mean by household ammonia. Can you give a link or a brand please. Thank you!

ZeroSystem · 10-31-2009, 12:18 PM

You can usually purchase pure ammonia at most hard ware stores. Just make sure it is really just ammonia, with no additives. It should say right on the package, but if you're not sure, shake it and if it bubbles, it's no good.

Nathan879 · 10-31-2009, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeroSystem

You can usually purchase pure ammonia at most hard ware stores. Just make sure it is really just ammonia, with no additives. It should say right on the package, but if you're not sure, shake it and if it bubbles, it's no good.

Thanks, I bought Ammonia, but just now shook it up. Its no good, Ill go get some more. Also I have one more question. Its says 5 drops fer 10 gallons, and 3 drops for 10 gallons, for my 5 gallon to I just do 2.5 and 1.5??? Thanks.

ZeroSystem · 10-31-2009, 07:08 PM

Yeah that seems about right.

Nathan879 · 11-01-2009, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeroSystem

Yeah that seems about right.

Thank you!!

Ill start tomorrow. How long do you think this will take.

ZeroSystem · 11-01-2009, 04:16 AM

Three to four weeks is the average I believe. Have you seen the video on fishless cycling? It's around here somewhere... I'll see if I can dig up a link for ya.

Nathan879 · 11-02-2009, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZeroSystem

Three to four weeks is the average I believe. Have you seen the video on fishless cycling? It's around here somewhere... I'll see if I can dig up a link for ya.

Have you found the link by any chance? And I can't find ammonia ANYWHERE. What else can I use. Be specific please.

ZeroSystem · 11-03-2009, 02:54 AM

Here's one of the links I mentioned: http://www.fishtankforums.com/4-fres...g-dummies.html

There's a video around here somewhere too.. not sure where though!

Uh I've heard of people using food to create ammonia in their tanks, but it's not what I'd really recommend. Some people use "hardy Fish" in order to cycle their tanks, but thats also something that I don't believe to be a good idea. Fish and ammonia don't really mix in my opinion! I've found pure ammonia at Ace Hardware and Home Depot before. Try asking an employee for help locating it maybe? Good luck.