Newbie who dosn't know anything

[akucic]

Hi. I'm going to ask one of the stupidist questions on the face of the earth:
WHAT IS CYCLING???
I know. I'm pathetic. But please help me!

 

[daza]

this should answer your question.

 

[corrosive]

Basically, ammonia levels rise, drop, nitrite levels rise, drop, and nitrate is there.

Thats basically a rough idea of what happens, but all three, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate are chemicals(i think thats the word) which will kill your fish.

I believe one of the main reasons you do water changes is to keep your nitrate level down

To make your tank cycle, put used filter media in your filter, used gravel, and a couple of "hardy" fish.

You dont have to put used filter media and gravel in your tank, that just makes the cycle go from 3-4weeks to a few days or a week.

Edit: Oh yeh almost forgot, if you want to "Fishless Cycle" you'll need some pure ammonia or w/e its called.

 

[akucic]

Thanx!!!

 

[new fish lover]

By the way dont' use "Cycle" unless you want to use it for the rest of your fishkeeping life. I made that mistake it helped to cycle my tank quickly then I ran into trouble. Also pick a couple hardy fish you can stand to live with forever or be able to find a new home for. I have 6 female Rosy Barbs right now that I am shuffling around trying to find a home for.

Tips to remember (from my own personal screw ups) lol

keep you water temp constant
make sure your filter is big enough
don't add too many fish at one time
be prepared for Ich (I've had good luck with Coppersafe)
Also think twice before you put scaleless (ie catfish) and fish with scales together b/c if you medicate you have to cut down the dose and it will take longer to get rid of any Ich etc...

 

[kev_kb]

By the way dont' use "Cycle" unless you want to use it for the rest of your fishkeeping life. I made that mistake it helped to cycle my tank quickly then I ran into trouble.

What do you mean by this? Why on earth would you need to use it for the rest of your life? The goal of the product is to speed the cycling the process, I'm not sure if works or not as there are lots of articles on the Internet saying it does nothing at all, but surely it can't harm your tank, well it hasn't mine.

 

[Def]

Another vote for Cycle here. I'd thoroughly recommend it, and it definately made a difference in my tank. As kev says, it speeds up the cycling process by introducing bacteria directly, I don't see why you'd have to use it forever? My local shop has mentioned to me that it's a good idea to keep a small bottle to hand *just in case* ammonia/nitrite goes up (ie: after introduction of new fish)...