Cycling 55 Freshwater

[searcher]

How long should i cycle my new 55 freshwater ?

 

[Missy]

Hey there? What do you mean by cycle. Cycling takes as long as it takes. If you mean how long do you let it sit before adding fish then you should definitely read up on fishless cycling. Cycling will only occur after ammonia enters the tank either through fish or through artificially adding fish waster (ammonia) to the tank. Fishless cycling has been wonderful for many many people. I'm currently fishless cycling for the first time with a 55 gal tank.

 

[MAM]

as long as it takes to cycle. theres no set time, all depends on your test readings. check out the pinned article in the beginner section for suggested levels/number readings

 

[searcher]

Yes How long do you let it sit before adding the fish?

 

[ryansfish5g]

How long should i cycle my new 55 freshwater ?

You should read up on fishless cycling and the whole cycling process in general.

Here are the basics:

Ammonia enters the tank.
After time bacteria thrive that turn ammonia into nitrite.
Then another bacteria comes along and turns nitrite into nitrate.
Once you have measured that your tank has had an ammonia and nitrite spike, meaning that both have peaked and gone back down to zero; and you have nitrate present, then your tank is cycled.

A cycled tank has colonies of both of the kinds of bacteria discussed above. These bacteria help to keep your tank safe for your fish.

The only way to safely add fish shortly after you have started a tank is to add them with BIO-Spira. I did this with both of my tanks and they cycled very quickly.
Here is a link to my thread about my 5 gallon tank cycling, I used BIO-Spira in it

Some people add a couple of fish to cycle a tank. Fish do create ammonia in their waste, but ammonia and nitrite are poison to them at certain levels. So these fish are bound to lead a short and unhealthy life. I highly reccomend either fishless cycling or BIO-spira.