Well I thought I'd be able to start up my tank...

[Rocky998]

So I have good news and I have bad news... Good news is I'm going on a small vacation! Bad news is, is that vacation is in exactly 3-4 weeks (right in the time I wanted to be cycling the tank). Me and my mom were laughing because this tank has had so many set backs and now I gotta wait even longer LOL... So, this is an interesting predicament... My luck is so funny sometimes...

 

[Myraan]

lol - could you rig an automatic feeder to dose 3ppm every three days and then hope for the best?

 

[Colin_T]

just start the cycling process and let it run while you are away. the tank will finish the cycle when your on holiday.

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

What @Colin said.

 

[Rocky998]

just start the cycling process and let it run while you are away. the tank will finish the cycle when your on holiday.

Wait really?? You think it'll work? If so THANK YOU

 

[AbbeysDad]

Like @Colin_T indicated all you need is an ammonia source to kick start the bacteria. See Cycling a New Aquarium.
You could setup a feeder to drop a little food in each day. And/or you might use a bacteria in a bottle product to kick start the process. OR, like my friend @Byron does, use floating plants and only add a fish or two ensuring bacteria develops and can keep up with adding just a fish or two at a time.

 

[Rocky998]

Like @Colin_T indicated all you need is an ammonia source to kick start the bacteria. See Cycling a New Aquarium.
You could setup a feeder to drop a little food in each day. And/or you might use a bacteria in a bottle product to kick start the process. OR, like my friend @Byron does, use floating plants and only add a fish or two ensuring bacteria develops and can keep up with adding just a fish or two at a time.

Thanks!

 

[FishHobby99]

So I have good news and I have bad news... Good news is I'm going on a small vacation! Bad news is, is that vacation is in exactly 3-4 weeks (right in the time I wanted to be cycling the tank). Me and my mom were laughing because this tank has had so many set backs and now I gotta wait even longer LOL... So, this is an interesting predicament... My luck is so funny sometimes...

All good things are worth the wait.

 

[AbbeysDad]

All good things are worth the wait.

But who wants to (or would) wait 6-8 weeks to setup an aquarium with fish when you really don't have to?!

 

[Rocky998]

But who wants to (or would) wait 6-8 weeks to setup an aquarium with fish when you really don't have to?!

But you do have to in order to have a proper aquarium unless you do a fish in cycle, which is hard and stressful on the fish...

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

But you do have to in order to have a proper aquarium unless you do a fish in cycle, which is hard and stressful on the fish...

No...you don't.
From my in-Forum Journal;
Cycling times for my own reference, from water added to the tank, to the first fish being added;
Tank 1, South American tank, 80l: 18 days. 5th to 23rd July. (Old substrate and bogwood added. Tank well planted. Microbe-Lift products used).
Tank 2, South East Asian tank, 104l: 11 days. 31st August to September 10th. (Plants and filter sponge added from Tank No.1, plus Microbe-Lift products used. Tank well-planted).
Tank 3, 'Quarantine Tank', 48l: 24 hours. 12th to 13th October. (Plants and filter sponge added from Tank No.1, plus Microbe-Lift products used. Tank well-planted).

 

[Slaphppy7]

Just wait until you get back from vacay...that way, you can observe, monitor, and have a hands-on experience with your first cycle.

Always remember: nothing good happens fast in fishkeeping.

 

[AbbeysDad]

No...you don't.
From my in-Forum Journal;
Cycling times for my own reference, from water added to the tank, to the first fish being added;
Tank 1, South American tank, 80l: 18 days. 5th to 23rd July. (Old substrate and bogwood added. Tank well planted. Microbe-Lift products used).
Tank 2, South East Asian tank, 104l: 11 days. 31st August to September 10th. (Plants and filter sponge added from Tank No.1, plus Microbe-Lift products used. Tank well-planted).
Tank 3, 'Quarantine Tank', 48l: 24 hours. 12th to 13th October. (Plants and filter sponge added from Tank No.1, plus Microbe-Lift products used. Tank well-planted).

That's great if/when you have cycled media to introduce the necessary bacteria to the new tank - however, not in this case so other means are required.

 

[Rocky998]

Just wait until you get back from vacay...that way, you can observe, monitor, and have a hands-on experience with your first cycle.

Always remember: nothing good happens fast in fishkeeping.

But it wont hurt to try... the worst that could happen is me having to restart the cycle when I get back... Nothing will die...

 

[FishHobby99]

But who wants to (or would) wait 6-8 weeks to setup an aquarium with fish when you really don't have to?!

You make a good point!