I haven't started cycling yet. I have so many things going on right now I just haven't had time to monitor it as closely as I need to. It's filtering at least. I have a little ceramic car for mine and my daughter has a skull but both need to be sanded before we put them in. I finally bought some small emery boards to do that. We each have a silk plant but I want to get a live one for each. But no stores near me sell them so I am trying to decide if I want to drive an hour for plants or just order something online.