MY LAST INPUT on this matter.
if you want to do a ''quick cycle'' and be ready in days LISTEN to
@AbbeysDad if he is still willing to help you.
here is a method of cycling that's quick and efficient .
names changed in below example for privacy purposes
My friend Joe Bloggs doesn't 'cycle' a tank. He's added a fish or two to a 'new' tank
WITH PLANTS and lets nature take it's course. Of course with only a fish or two in a 'new' tank, ammonia levels are slow to rise and the plants will use that ammonia as their nitrogen source as the bacteria slowly develops and matures.
I have setup many 'new' tanks by simply 'cleaning' a filter sponge from an established tank in the new tank water. Enough bacteria is transferred to easily handle a few fish.
And then there's the '
bacteria in a bottle' products. Now many still would have you believe these are just 'snake oil' and just don't work. I think this is largely due to when they first came on the scene, they were in fact the wrong bacteria. But since then, largely due to the research of Dr. Tim Hovanec, these products came of age and really can 'instant cycle' a tank (see the interview with Dr. Tim in the article linked above). Now there still may be some issues with transportation and storage but by in large, these products work.
WATCH THIS->
Dr Tim on Beneficial Bacteria and Cycling
being totally honest this is exactly how i cycled my own tank added a bacterial starter fed the empty tank
i had fish in on the 3rd day only 3
a week or so after that i bought 3 another 2 weeks after i bought 2 more fish
ive not had one avoidable death
one fish died of Cancer
but all the rest of the gang are going well and its been over 4 months now
