Nitrogen Cycle: The Basics.

[xerxeswasachump]

Yes, there is a product called bio-spira. It is essentially refridgerated bacteria (to slow down their metabolism). This stuff can be added to a tank and have it cycled within 24 hours. The only issue is that you have to be ready to fully stock your tank, otherwise there won't be high enough levels of ammonia to keep that large a bacteria colony alive.

[DigiDan]

Originally Posted by xerxeswasachump The only issue is that you have to be ready to fully stock your tank, otherwise there won't be high enough levels of ammonia to keep that large a bacteria colony alive.

why not just keep adding more pure ammonia instead.

[DigiDan]

does temperature affect the type of bacteria that grow in the tank, cuz im currently cycling a 10 gal tank for my fry, but i have no heater in it at the moment.....

do i continue to cycle or wait until i get the heater?

[xerxeswasachump]

Originally Posted by DigiDan why not just keep adding more pure ammonia instead.

You could. I just meant if someone wanted to speed up the process.
Also, how hard is it to get pure ammonia? Do they sell it at places like home dept or something?

[harif87]

So wait, would another alternative be just adding somehting like Cycle or another source of nitrifying bacteria before you add your fish right away?

[The Gallonator]

Originally Posted by xerxeswasachump You could. I just meant if someone wanted to speed up the process. Also, how hard is it to get pure ammonia? Do they sell it at places like home dept or something?

they sell it at walmart, target, ect, in the cleaning supplies, clear plastic or glass bottle

[judya]

But get the ammonia that is plain, doesn't have scents or other stuff added.

[dolifisis]

I got my pure ammonia at the grocery store. Believe it was labeled clear ammonia.

[eastkygal]

So, can someone mention "new tank syndrome"... cloudy water. How long should that last? What about when water changes do nothing to help it? I've had a 29 gal. up since December and still have cloudy water.

[Fishfirst]

Cycling is the cause of new tank syndrome aka they are the same thing. Cloudy water isn't what new tank syndrome is, its just a product of new tank syndrome. Cloudy water is just bacteria floating in the water column often looking like a whitish haze, these bacteria will eventually colonize the filter media and take care of your fish waste. New tank syndrome is when you have fish death during the cycling period. This is caused by too much nitrite or ammonia in the water, or your fish being damaged by these chemicals and dying later. It takes 4-6 weeks to completely cycle if nothing hinders it. Water changes can hinder the cycle but it also can save your fish from dying.

[oliesminis]

my first taqnk took little over a week to cycle and all i did was set it running. i tested it at 7, 10 and 12 days and i got results of

ammonia 0
nirite 0.1
nitrate 10

my new tank however has been cycling for a week and still has

ammonia 0
nitrite 0.9
nitrate 40-50

it has been like that for 3 days. i have added good bacteria from my other filter to this one and added some food to help cycle. any ideas to lower it farther

[Kyoberr]

That's an oversimplication!?!?! Wow, well thanks for telling me that. I'm glad that I didn't have to cycle my own tank. Geez.

[krismee]

Hi guys - newbie here.
So if your 'expendable' starter fish die during the 4-6 week cycling period - do you need to replace them for the cycle to finish appropriately?

[Cichlidsrule]

Hmmm....I've let tanks sit for only a few days and my guppies are fine in there. I wonder why?

[RSidetrack]

Moved to different thread...