Confused about fishless Cycle

[Sharlene1385]

Ok, I read on the fishless cyling, but got kind of confused, didn't take chemestry in school. How should I do it? Also, there are several products at Petco that can be used to add bacteria, or even change amonia to nitrite and nitrate. So, I was thinking of checking about those if they can help. I had links in my earlier post, if you need them I can get them again. Most where made by FishBuddies I think.

 

[tstenback]

Most of the products that are made to help or eliminate the need for cycling do not work or do very little. The one that has been talked about most on this site is biospira but it is hard to get outside the US. to fishless cycle without a chemistry degree you will need test kits for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. you will need a source of pure ammonia (when you shake it it does not foam up). You measure how much ammonia it takes to get your tank to about 5 ppm with the ammonia test kit. That should help you follow the rest of the directions in the pinned article on new tank syndrome at the top of this forum. Any more questions just post them there are many here who have done and are now doing what you are about to attempt. It is not rocket science but it can get frustrating. But it has not killed or injured any fish yet

 

[Sky042]

Since you're in the US your best bet is go to your local wal-mart and buy the wal-mart branded "clear ammonia" its in a clear plastic jug with a purple wrapper. Then you need to find some bacteria seed material. If you can't find any then find some bio-spira or ask your LFS for some gravel or floss from their filter. you can even use a potted plant.

 

[Sharlene1385]

Oooh Walmart is my friend.. cept for buying fish from them. lol. Anyway, I could actually ask a fish store for some gravel or filter floss? Wow, I didn't know they'd do that. I'll be our little one here would let me have some of that. Ok. Testing and amnonia, here I come. Thank you.

 

[EX-AmP]

exactly what sky said