...in the cycling section. I have a 29g tank that I just cleared all my fish out of and am ready to cycle it!
My idea is to leave the tank water that my last fish were in still in the tank and use 2 filters (that amount to 70g) to cycle the tank. I am going to have a heater keep the water at 78 degrees and leave the old filter media in the filters. I thought maybe the bacteria growing in the filter pads would speed up the process. I also am going to drop a shrimp in there for ammonia (a dead eatable shrimp that is) and plant the aquarium.
I have learned that the nitrogen cycle goes like this: Add a large amount of ammonia to your tank (3.0 reading) and keep it at this level while the nitrites and nitrates read 0. Soon the ammonia will be changed to nitrite. Then, to nitrates which is a good thing. When this happens, do a 25% water change and your aquarium should be ready for fish!
So, now that I have totally read the sticky for cyling I am going to ask some more educated questions. Hahaha, so bare with me here and try to answer all of them, pleassssssse!
1. Should I plant my tank before or after the cycle?
2. How long should I leave the decomposing shrimp in the water?
3. If I do add plants when the tank is cycling, will the nitrogen cycle be different and require a different set of rules?
4. About how long would the cycle take with a 29g aquarium?
5. Is it ok to replace the filter media, if so, should I do this after the cycle or can I do it while its cycling, like when I have the money for a new filter? (seeing as I am going to purchase a better filter, and one filter that is so I dont have to have 2 going)
6. And should I add salt while the aquarium is cycling or after? What about the plant food and fertilizer....if I have plants at that time will it mess up the cycle?
Thank you all for your help, I'm so excited about cycling and having a tank that will fully support my new fish and keep them very happy (thinking about keeping cichlids, yay!)