cycle

So I got my tank all set up. Weights in there now, holding down the driftwood til it gets waterlogged. Got a few plants. It's been running 24h, up to temperature, everything's looking good. Now I want to start it cycling properly. I read the fishless cycle post which is what I'm used to doing...

Hey everyone, First time fish keeper, doing a fish-in cycle using Seachem stability & API quick start. I'm doing 20-30% water changes whenever the water parameters need it, but can't really get into the substrate with my gravel vac without disturbing the good bacteria. That's the problem -...

Day 6 since adding 3ppm ammonia. I thought it would be showing better by now? Have I done something wrong?

I have been cycling my tank for 10 days. I used the test strips today but I’m not really sure on what they should be can someone advise please? If anything not correct what I can do to help

Hi, I am cycling my sump for my Betta rack system. I am using the API Freshwater Kit. I shake the living daylights out of all the bottles before use to avoid the crystallisation. I have cycled 5 tanks previous to this with the fish food method and had no issues whatsoever. This time I decided...

Hi all it’s been a while but I’m glad to be back. Anyway as the title says I am setting up my first dirted tank and have a couple questions. Firstly, how do I know which soil is safe, I’ve heard organic topsoil is best but I’m scared I’m going to put something toxic in my tank? I’m also very...

Hey all, I am a lifelong avid fisherman who is kind of a new fish keeper. Had to take care of my sister's HUGE comet goldfish (we named her Fatty), a severum, and some of those glowing tetras like 3-4 years ago because her work place didn't have any more time to care for them. She brought them...

Hello, so I’m currently treating ich with salt and Turning up the heat for my goldfishes. Nothing major and most of the ich is already clearly up. I’m still kinda new to the fish hobby and stuff and I’m not sure how to probably clean the filters after the whole ick treatment things clears up. Is...

Hello All, currently on day 21 of a fishless cycle and have no nitrites as of yet. Is this normal or have I done something wrong. How long has it taken other people to see nitrites appear ? My tank is 80 litres, the filter is set up and the temperature has been at 28 Celsius / 82 Fahrenheit...

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Setting up a new tank and I put some rocks and filter media from my other tanks in to help cycle but I just realized that even though I've always done it this way does the chlorine kill my beneficial bacteria? I always put tap water in and then conditioner in after I fill the water up.

So the main sticky for Fishless cycling is great but it suffers a little from information overload and that makes it hard for some to follow the instructions. I thought I would have a go at a "condensed" version. This is in no way meant to replace the original instructions but just act as a...

Hi everyone. I’ve watching lots of video on youtube (most of them were sponsored) And most people says that sponges does not contain any nitrifying bacteria and you should have biological media inside the filter instead, is this true? or was it just a gimmick that make you buy 1kg of pumice for...

Hi all. I've being doing a fishless cycle with my 19L tank. The cycle has been doing really well and recently I finally started having Nitrites and Nitrates showing up. I kept at it for a while as the Ammonia wasn't going down at all.y Nitrates ammonia and Nitrites were well over what the test...

Hey guys! I purchased my 37g tank today! I will be splurging and getting a tank stand as well, tomorrow. I just set it up as much as I could, I will be filling it with water and starting the cycle tomorrow (I got liquid ammonia today, pure ammonia hydroxide). Anyways, I would like to know if my...

The directions say to put turbo start before fish. I did that but can I still place the turbo start with fish inside(problem is i already put some with fish inside and just saw the directions)

I know most people say the later the better but I don't really have the patience. I'm at the nitrate no3 spike right now. After the spike is over how soon can I put corals? Btw I'm using Fritz turbo start 900. Thank you.

I've been cycling my tank for a few days (with flakes and Fritz Zyme 7), and I was wondering if anyone else has had this white film? I haven't tested the parameters yet (I'm planning to on Monday), but I just need to know if this is something harmful or just a natural part of the cycle? It...

After a little help here, as I'm non-plussed. I'm mid-fishless cycle with a 450l (120 us gallon) tank and my nitrite readings are making no sense to me. I started with adding Dr Tim's ammonia a couple of weeks ago, plus "one and only" bacteria. I know there are mixed views on whether it does...

So update to my bad losses after the Texas snowstorm. My 29 fish were in a 20 gal for emergency for the last 4 days (were in a 10 gal for 3 days prior) The water just came on allowing me to set up the tank. I had the filter from the 65 running on the 20 gal while they were in there to get the...

Hey yall. If any of yall are in central texas I'm sure you're aware of the record breaking cold snowstorm weve been having. My power has been out for 2 days, and I had to leave my fish tanks behind when I went to stay with a relative. (Wrapped the tanks before we left) When we came back this...

Hi guys, Hopefully "Cycling" is the right forum as I'm hoping to prevent a new cycle. I have a fully cycled 20 gallon tank running at the moment and the first fish are in there. However, it's running an internal filter that came with the tank and I hate everything about it - it takes up a heap...

So my newly built slate decor is ready to go in the tank, but I have to remove the old rocks to get them to fit right. Should I leave some of the old stuff in to keep my cycle from crashing?

I have a new 20 gallon long tank and I have 4 glowfish danios plus two mystery snails inside a separate one gallon container. My question is can I fill my new tank up with treated water for chlorine and chloramine add fritz zyme 7 and then add all fish and snails within the same day? I’ve read...

hey guys! new to the forum as i’ve completed gave up trying to figure out the issue myself, and my LFS is absolutely zero help. currently have over 600 gallons of tanks ranging from 3 125 gallon tanks, 2 75’s, 2 29 gallon, and a 40 breeder hospital tank all in my detached garage/fish room.. i...

Short question, can aquarium salt affect the reading of ammonia using the API liquid master test kit? Background: I have a guppy tank that is cycled, not overstocked or overfed, well maintained and regular water changes and the fish are doing very well but my ammonia readings for the tank are...

Update 12/14: second water change completed today of about 60-70% of water. Total Ammonia - 0.5ppm, NH3 - 0.1ppm, NO2 - .25ppm, NO3 - 5ppm, and pH 7.6. I have a 20gal freshwater tank and no matter what I do I cannot get my ammonia levels down. I’ve had the aquarium for 6 months and I’m pretty...

I know this is a long shot but. I’m wanting some established fish tank filter water to help my cycle. I’m located in St. Louis, MO. Anyone live close? Anyone know where I can get some? Local fish store was trying to sell it and I was somewhat off put by that considering I’ve spent a good chunk...

Hey all, I got my tank just over a week ago and was wondering how I would know if the silent cycle is progressing. I have swords, java fern and dwarf grass. I am soon to get some hornwort and some floaters. I'm just wondering how I will know when I should at the first 2 fish. I just did my one...

I find it tricky to read the API Master Kit but is it ok that my nitrates are so high but nitrite & Ammonia low? Is that normal for the fish in Cycle? Why is my CO2 zero with plants? Why is my fresh tap water showing lower PH than tank water? I'm doing daily 75% water changes and have Anubis...

Hi all, I have a few filter quandaries and could really use some advice. I currently have 2 Juwel tanks (120L and 110L) and use the eccoflow 500 filters that came with it. I also set up the spongers as shown in their instructions. Both filters have started stalling a bit, one a lot more than...

Hello, new user here so apologies if I am in the wrong area. I have also recently started to take care of guppies, as I've heard they are one of the easier fish to take care of as a beginner.I own an all male guppy tank (10 gallons and established), with 3 cobra and 3 fancy guppies. I've had...

Request Help Tank size: 100L/26gal pH: 7.2-7.4 ammonia: 0 nitrite: 0 nitrate: 20ppm gH: 150 ppm tank temp: 28 degree Celsius (previously 26 but have upped since fish started getting sick) Volume and Frequency of water changes: Normal routine 1-2 per week 25-50% - treat with prime and stress...

Hi, I am completely new to this hobby so sorry if I've made some mistakes! I recently purchased a 70L (19 gallon) tank and set it up with some live plants in it. On the advice of my local fish shop I then added 6 cardinal tetras after 4 days, after doing my own research I realise that this was...

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum. I'm still relatively new to the hobby; I've had a 10 gallon tank for a betta for almost a year now. I believe I have a good understanding what it means to take adequate care for him, and he is still doing well. The tank is established and the water parameters...

Hi everyone. This might be a daft question and reading tutorials isn’t answering it. Is there a way of testing my fish less cycle is working properly and is ready for stock. I know that if you use ammonia you keep adding small amounts and until you know it is working, but I’ve used fish flakes...

I want to know how to see if my tank fully cycled.

Hi , I got interested in the hobby about a year ago and have had a 30 gallon community tank , the tank is fully established and have had no issues with water parameters. I want to set up a small guppy breeding setup, I'm just looking for advice on how to cycle the breeding tank and what size...

Hello. I am cycling a new tank, a divided 10 gallon for two Betta fish. I have got a corner sponge filter running in each compartment but I’m replacing them as they are loud and float with the cylinder shaped ones. I already have a double headed sponge filter in my other tank (it’s been running...

Hello, my guppy has been acting strange lately. We have recently moved him to a new tank that was, as far as I’m concerned, cycled or almost cycled as it was used and there was good bacteria in the filter media, gravel, decor, surface, etc. and we also used a bacteria starter for a couple days...