New Tank Set Up and Fishless Cycling

[MadAboutPlants]

Hey guys

Looking to get your advice/opinions on setting up a new tank and fishless cycling.

I am about to buy myself a new tank (Fluval Venezia 190L). It is being sold with a Fluval 207 external filter and a 200w heater. I was ideally wanting to run the Fluval 407 - planning on having a planted/community tank (not yet decided on fish species yet).

Question 1: Am I better to buy a single, larger filter and sell the new smaller one on or buy an additional 207 to run along side? (My thinking for larger filtration system was to increase the amount of bacteria for tank/clearer water/more time between cleaning filter - please let me know if I’m wrong in thinking this).

Question 2: Is a 200W heater ok? Should I also look to buy a second one?

Question 3: Is it better to plant up the aquarium straight away whilst tank cycling is in process or should I wait/no difference?


So I am wanting to do a fishless cycle - I am looking at buying the Dr Tim’s Ammonium Chloride Solution and the Dr Tim’s One & Only Live Nitrifying Bacteria. I have read that tank cycling can take between 4-6 weeks minimum - however the advice on the Dr Tim’s packaging reckons the cycling process could be complete after as little as 8 days.

Question 4: Is the advice regarding fishless cycle able to be completed within 8 days correct? If not, once the water parameters are correct- how long do I leave it for before adding fish and is it possible to speed up the tank cycling process (without using fish) safely?

Thanks for the advice!

Alex

 

[ClownLurch]

Get as many plants as you can afford. Especially floating ones. That’ll help speed you up.

 

[sharkweek178]

I wouldn't count on the cycling being done in 8 days.

 

[Essjay]

Question 1: Am I better to buy a single, larger filter and sell the new smaller one on or buy an additional 207 to run along side? (My thinking for larger filtration system was to increase the amount of bacteria for tank/clearer water/more time between cleaning filter - please let me know if I’m wrong in thinking this).

Extra filtration capacity will not grow more bacteria. The numbers of bacteria are determined by their food source - the fish in the tank. Increasing fish numbers will cause more ammonia which will grow more bacteria, but if the fish bioload remains constant, the numbers of bacteria will remain constant with new bacteria replacing any which have died.



How many plants do you intend? If it is just a couple of slow growing plants, do a fishless cycle then put the plants in. But if you plan a lot of plants, and fast growing plants, you can do a plant cycle. Set up the tank, plant it then take a photo. Wait a couple of weeks until you are certain the plants are growing and not about to die (by comparing the tank to the photo), then add fish one batch at a time. Check for ammonia and nitrite for several days after each batch to make sure they are staying at zero.
Bacteria will grow in a planted tank, though not in a many numbers as in a tank with no live plants.