What is the steps for fishless cycling?

Question

I am setting up a tropical fish tank and I have been reading heaps of information about the fishless cycling. I'm pretty confused because they are all different.
Does anyone know the steps I need to follow, to cycle my tank?
The tank is 60cm by 31cm by 33 cms.

Answer 1

# Option 1:
Using Fish Food
Drop in a few flakes every 12 hours. As the food decomposes it will release ammonia. You will have to continue to "feed" the tank throughout the process to keep it going.

# Option 2:
Use a small piece of raw fish or a raw shrimp
Drop a 2 inch by 1 inch chunk of raw fish or a raw shrimp into the tank. As it decomposes it will release ammonia into the tank.

# Option 3:
Use 100% pure ammonia.
Using a dropper, add 5 drops of ammonia per 10 gallons of aquarium water. Continue this process daily until you start to get nitrite readings with your test kit. Once you can detect nitrites you should only add 3 drops of ammonia per 10 gallons of aquarium water. Continue this process daily until you get nitrate readings with your test kit. Do a 30% water change and your tank is ready.

# Option 4:
Use gravel and/or filter media from an established and cycled tank
This is the best and fastest way to go. This will seed the tank with all of the necessary bacteria for the nitrogen cycle. "Feed" the tank daily with flake food until you are getting nitrate readings. Depending on how fast you were able to get the gravel and filter media into your tank, you may be getting nitrate readings in only a day or two. There are some drawbacks to this method. Ask your source if they have recently used any copper medications in the tank. If they have and you are planning to have invertebrates in the tank you should probably not use this method. Invertebrates will not tolerate copper. Get a copper test kit to determine if it's safe to use.

I USE THIS SITE ALL THE TIME AND HAVE LEARNED ALOT FROM IT. ITS A TROPICAL FISH SITE AND THATS WHAT I KEEP. GOOD LUCK

Answer 2

Rinse all accesories well before placing them in the tank, and that includes gravel. Ok, REALLY wash the gravel, because some gravel contains dust that can abrade gills. When you fill the tank,use cheap distilled water (not regular bottled water which is likely to have come from a tap anyways) leave a little room at the top. Don't fill the tank completely.

After the tank is completely set up, you need to get the new filter running. Make sure to rinse all the filters (the disposable parts, not the mechanical). Get the heater running. Make sure the temp is adequate, adjust as necessary.

Now, go to a reputable pet store. NOT a friend, not wal-marts superstore. Go to a reputable store and ask for a small quantity of fish gravel from a tank. A good petstore will be very reliable and responsible with their tanks, and this gravel has microbes which are needed to get your tank going.

Put this gravel into your tank, along with some fish food (only a little).

Allow this to run for twenty four hours, which is long enough to establish a good microbe colony in the filter.

After twenty four hours, use one of those little test kits to check ph, nitrates, and all that. Check your temperature. And if everything is looking good, get your fish. If not, wait another twenty four hours and test again.

The fish need to be "Floated" which means that you take bag and all, and just let it float in the tank till the temperatures are the same (this is why it is important not to completely fill your tank). This prevents shock to your fish. Floating for about half an hour is usually all you want to do, as the air in the bag will run out, and your fish will suffocate.

Add only a couple fish at a time. And remember, one inch of fish per gallon of water is the maximum. Less than that for dirty or agressive fish.

Good luck.

Answer 3

By fishless cycle I believe your wanting to cycle with pure ammonia? It still takes time to do this and you will want to make sure you have a freshwater test kit to check the ammonia levels, the nitrites and the nitrates before you put anything in the tank. If you just want to cycle it the old fashion way, like I'm sure you've read everywhere, get a few goldfish or other hardy fish. They are going to be able to survive the ammonia spikes and they cycle won't kill them. Granted, goldfish are dirty, but would you rather clean up after a dirty goldfish for a while, or kill your beloved prized fish? No - you can't put fish in a tank that hasn't been cycled without headache and heartache, please don't be fooled by "experts" who would lead you to believe that just running a filter for 2-4 days in a new tank would do anything. You, I'm sure know, have to let the bacteria cycle. There are several articles on cycling with 100% pure (clear) ammonia, here is the link to a website and article on the fishless cycle. http://www.aquahobby.com/articles/e_fishless.php . Good luck with your new tank! Once you get everything situated, you'll love just sitting and watching your aquatic friends.

Answer 4

my best answer would be to treat it like you would a regular fish tank. set it up, and let it run for atleast 2-4 days after the first inital setup, then after the 4 days, add in your chemicals...like your water conditioners, your chlorine removers, and all that jazz, then let it run for another day or so.....afterwards, check your water with a water testing kit that you can buy at any of your local pet stores. check to make sure that you have a correct nitrate, and nitrite level, check to make sure the amonia balance is good, and the pH balance, make sure the temperature is good for the fish you are wanting to get, then when everything is good to go, you can get your fish.

i hear a lot of people talk about how they get goldfish for starters...to sorta start the fish cycle in the tank, but dont listen to that. because goldfish are dirty fish, and produce the most amount of amonia of almost any fish, and that alone can kill any other fish you buy or put into the tank.

Answer 5

just use gallon water, its like 32 cents from walmart. fill your tank up with that. get a box of starter tablets for the water, and a bottle of stress coat. go ahead and add all the rocks, plants, ect. that you want, and wait about a week. If you want to be real sure you need to get a 13 feeder fish, and let him inhibit it for a week or so.

Answer 6

First off, just let it run. DO NOT add ammonia, since ammonia does not leave your tank unless you have a water change.
DO NOT use someone else's filters from their established tank. This invites parasites like the free swimming form of ich as well as possiable other cridders.

Let it run. Patience. Once your water is where it should be, sometimes two weeks, sometimes 4.

Buy a 10 cent gold fish and toss him in. It isn't mean, he'll be fine.

Answer 7

These articals might be more detailed then you are looking for, but they are correct, informative and from a reliable source:

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/fishless_cycling.php
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/jump_start.php