cycle with guppies????????

[daniodude]

as a lot of ppl know, my mom got a 46g bowfront, but would I be able to cycle with guppies? if not I would let her cycle with my Danios, if so how long Should I let it cycle? it's got a penguin 330 bio-wheel

 

[a1wonder]

do a fishless cycle that way you don't have to worry about fish deaths it's cheep but it will be seriouly worth in the end.
I think with a fish cycle do you really want to be held responsible for the death of an animal in your care when it could be avoided.

 

[RYO]

yup just give her some of your filter media to kick start her system

 

[Rach]

I read that guppies should not be put in a tank that was not fully cycled, as they are not that hardy. The danio's would be better, but of coarse so would the fishless cycling. The length of time is usually 4 to 6 weeks but you will just have to keep checking until you ammonia and nitrite are reading zero, then you will know you are there.

 

[clutterydrawer]

give her some media from one of your established tanks, then add fish of your choice, gradually. you shouldnt see much, if any of a cycle compared to cycling a tank from scratch.

 

[SnowyzMom]

There are excellent links permanently posted in these Forums about fishless tank cycling. Please read them. It's SO easy to fishless cycle and wayyyy faster. I'd seriously suggest it. You can buy ammonia at any drugstore.

I admit I wouldn't use Danios or Guppies to cycle, way too fragile. People do use feeder goldfish because they are cheap and major poopers, giving the bacteria something to feed on pretty quick. But I admit I don't think I could use ANY fish for cycling a tank. It just wrecks their health or kills them. I am too much of a softie to be able to do it. Heck, my daughter's friend buys feeder goldfish for her pets because she can't bear the thought of somebody feeding them to bigger fish. Go figure. I guess she's like me, a sucker for a nice set of fins!

 

[willywonka099]

You could just add alot of feeder guppies ...... some gravel fromt he main ... some media .... and any spare plants or rocks ... it will be fine