Cycling new tank

[SABWARNER16]

Okay trying to cycle 3.5 gallon tank and seen a lot of posts from people who went months without seeing results on their fishless cycling and I’m trying to avoid that. Got the Fritz ammonium chloride and got it to about 2-3ppm. I have three swords in there with root tabs in plain gravel. Took a sponge from a mostly cycled tank and squeeze it into the filter area. Took new filter sponge and wedged it in there for a place for bacteria to grow I guess (I’m still new at this). Added some API quick start which after researching, I have low hopes for. I ordered some Turbostart that will be here in Wednesday (I know not to use if it smells rotten). I used tap water that has a high pH and pretty hard water. Should I drain it and use bottled spring water, or just add Prime? Any tips on making this go faster than 4 months would be great

 

[Aspen35]

I would use the tap water (just keep the hardness in mind when adding fish.) Definitely add the Prime, so the chlorine/chloramine doesn't kill off the bacteria before it gets started. make sure to have a test kit, so you can monitor the parameters. You won't have any way of knowing how fast it's cycling without testing the water.

 

[SABWARNER16]

I would use the tap water (just keep the hardness in mind when adding fish.) Definitely add the Prime, so the chlorine/chloramine doesn't kill off the bacteria before it gets started. make sure to have a test kit, so you can monitor the parameters. You won't have any way of knowing how fast it's cycling without testing the water.

Awesome, thanks so much