Alternative to Cycling?

[Marty]

I found these http/www.aquariumproducts.com.au/prod400.htm and thought that all my Christmases has come at once (buying fish and tank soon, but really don't want to cycle). However, I got a little skeptical, and decided I would ask some of the experts out there what they think of them.

So, what do people think? Will they work?

Marty.

 

[Sang72]

sounds like Zeolite, which absorbs ammonia. Good for treating ammonia spikes. Bad in place of cycling.

The whole purpose of cycling is to establish a colony of nitrifying bacteria (change ammonia into nitrate and nitrate into nitrite). The 'biological filter'. The bacteria need the ammonia to grow. If you remove the ammonia, then the bacteria will never colonize and when the balls become saturated *bam* ammonia spike like you wouldn't believe.

 

[Marty]

So the balls are likely to remove all the ammonia, and therefore bacteria can't grow? Or is it only likely to lower the levels...

Looks like I'll just have to cycle *sigh*

 

[Sang72]

Yes and yes. and yes, the good things can't be rushed, like breaking in a new engine.

 

[Marty]

That means I get my tank just in time for the holidays, and can't even put fish in it until the holidays are over!

Poop.

Oh well, it will be worth the wait. Besides I don't want to pay over a hundred bucks for a lovely pair of bettas and then kill them...

 

[Sang72]

100 bucks for 2 bettas? definitely get that tank thoroughly broken in, I thought a 5 dollar angelfish was a loss........owch

 

[Marty]

100 Australian dollars. Right now that's probably approx 70-80 US.

Genuine Thai bettas are being improted soon for $400 each!!!! LOL. It's like that because you can't import fish to Australia without a license or a quarantine setup. Costs heaps.

Marty.

 

[Dorsal]

100 Australian dollars. Right now that's probably approx 70-80 US.

Genuine Thai bettas are being improted soon for $400 each!!!! LOL. It's like that because you can't import fish to Australia without a license or a quarantine setup. Costs heaps.

Marty.

Hey Marty, i'm from Brissie too Why don't you try some colourfull native rainbows??

 

[myenigmaself]

I have used ammonia balls/chips to replace cycling. What you do is slowly decrease the number of balls/chips you use. This allows you to add fish immediately while the cycle is gearing up. Doing this makes cycling take forever, but if you want fish asap it is a viable solution. Has anyone else had success doing this?

 

[Marty]

Hey Marty, i'm from Brissie too Why don't you try some colourfull native rainbows??

Cool! Nice to see a fellow countryman

I actually saw the crimson spotted rainbows in a book just yesterday, and they look beautiful. How hard are they to keep?

I may well get some in the future when I can afford another tank