Just Starting A New Tank

[aquamike]

Hi Everyone,

I finally got my tank set up and filled with water. Now i need to decide whether to do a fishless cycle or cycle the tank with fish (slowly and carefully). My lfs had suggested to do a fish cycle. Just add a fish or two every other week or so while keeping an eye on my water parameters.

I want to do the fishless cycle but it sounds like your tank turns into a brown algae ugly looking mess. My tank is so clear and pretty right now that i would hate for it to be painted over with brown algae. Could someone explain just how bad your tank gets with algae from this method of cycling?

Keep in mind that my tank is large (135gal) so doing a fish cycle carefully should not be toxic on the fish. Plus my water is 6.4 acidic. Ammonia isn't as toxic in acidic water from what i understand.

Your advice is appreciated,

Mike

 

[Aprilia997]

Mike you are correct about toxicity of ammonia in higher pH. One other thing to think about is that bacteria are inhibited in growth as the ph gets lower. If you want to cycle with fish it is not a terribly hard thing to do particularly in a 135. The load depends on what size of fish you want to start with. If you want to have larger cichlids or other fish that are territorial it helps to put in the most peaceful fish first. If youu start with larger fish one or two four inch fish could start the cycle without any undue stress. For smaller fish up to a dozen two inch fish will work well.

 

[catxx]

at the end of the day pretty much ALL new tanks WILL get brown or green algae at some point. it's part of the process of a maturing tank. you just need to be prepared to battle it once it comes along, either with algae scrapers, snails, shrimp, or, once the tank has matured enough, otocinclus or small plecs (depending what fish you're stocking of course).

 

[aquamike]

at the end of the day pretty much ALL new tanks WILL get brown or green algae at some point. it's part of the process of a maturing tank. you just need to be prepared to battle it once it comes along, either with algae scrapers, snails, shrimp, or, once the tank has matured enough, otocinclus or small plecs (depending what fish you're stocking of course).

Catxx,

Yeah, i know this will happen eventually and i don't mind cleaning as necessary. I just didn't want to make a mess out of my tank right away if that is in fact what happens when a fishless cycle is done. What is your experience with fishless cycling? Was your tank flooded with algae or is it just alittle. I need to decide what to do soon. Just hope i make the right choice.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[reg]

From what I've read, a fishless cycle is much kinder to the fish. I will be doing my first fishless cycle myself soon

 

[reg]

Hi! I just set up my 29 gallon tank 3 days ago and want to begin my fishless cycle. I bought a bottle of ammonia. It says that it is pure ammonia with no detergent. However, when I shake the bottle (as advised), it does foam at the top, and the foam remains. Since the instructions on this topic said not to use ammonia that foams, I would like to know if I have to find some new ammonia. Any suggestions, opinions, or comments? I have the water hovering at 84 degrees, as well.

Thank you very much for your help!!!!!

 

[Gankutsuou]

I'd keep the tank at 80-82. that works for most fishies.

and why not start planting if you wish to eat up algea? Get some good lights and a lot of certain plants and they take care of the algea!

Try the planted section down the fourm!

As for fishless cycling, good job! I'm a bad kid and the most healthy cycle I can stand is cloning...