what is a good fish to use to cycle a fish tank?

Question

Something cheap & strong...

any suggestions??

This is for a future discus & angel fish tank.

thanks

p,s, i have very low ph water....around 6.0

Ii have 2 other tanks that they are more than welcome to go into after they have done the job of cycling the tank. That's not a problem.

Answer 1

You'll be hard pressed to find a more hardy fish then White Clouds. You can also use zebra danio's as well. Some Tetra's are pretty hardy as well as some barbs. I'd use the White clouds however.

You can get better answers and superior service at fishless cycling.com or just use the link on my profile.

JV

Answer 2

Danio's are cheap and strong, but what are you going to do with them afterward?

What you should do is a fishless cycle, that way you can add your fish all at once properly, so they grow up together the way cichlid tanks do best, and you don't need to worry about exposing your delicate fish to toxins. And a few danios won't be enough to compensate for a tank full of discus and angels.

The other option you have is to get your hands on living bacteria from another tank (resides in filter foam and gravel) and filling your filter with this (a friend might be able to help out, or if not, the fish store you're buying these expensive fish from should help without an issue), and then you can just start with the fish you want anyway, and won't expose any fish to toxins because the tank will already be cycled. This is the only way I cycle my tanks because the cycle is instant - as soon as your fish produce ammonia, its dealt with. Just make sure you bring the media home in fish water, and add it and the fish at the same time.

Your PH is fine for the fish you want to keep, no need to mess with it. Just be careful with our choice of species, they need a pretty large tank to mix without issues.

Answer 3

There's a few fish that will likely survive tank cycling. Keep in mind this is considered cruel by some. I have cycled more than one tank without causalities using API StressZyme and the following fish:
http://www.elmersaquarium.com/10barb_cherry.htm
http://www.elmersaquarium.com/10barb_tiger.htm
http://www.elmersaquarium.com/10tetra_blacktetra.htm
http://www.elmersaquarium.com/10danio_zebra.htm
http://www.elmersaquarium.com/10danio_pearl.htm
http://www.elmersaquarium.com/10danio_leopard.htm
http://www.elmersaquarium.com/10whiteclouds.htm

Remember, this takes time... about 1" of fish per 10 gallons, otherwise you will get too much ammonia too fast. 4 White Clouds can cycle a 55 gallon tank in 4-5 weeks. Do 25% water changes bi-weekly. Don't change the filter for at least 6 weeks. Some livebearers are hardy, but don't like water so acidic. How did you end up with a pH of only 6.0? That's REALLY low.

Answer 4

Zebra Danios are very hardy fish from what I have heard. But I prefer to do fishless cycling instead. That way I dont have any fish that I dont want in my tank. And to raise the pH you can add a seashell in the tank. Just be sure to boil it for 10 minutes first.

Answer 5

Look into fish-less cycling,it's faster and more humane. Also those guys that are telling you how to raise the pH don't know anything about discus or angelfish. Your pH will be ideal for them.(Or Cardinal Tetras or Neons or Dwarf Cichlids from rivers like the Rio *****)
One more thing, do a little research, I seem to recall that this is not a recommended combination. (Angels and Discus)

Answer 6

Do you have a pets at domicile save close to you? There are some a number of issues you may purchase and would aslo be waiting to locate them someplace else. one ingredient you may purchase is a organic and organic filtration booster it somewhat is a liquid in fact containing reliable micro organism which you will upload on your tank to grant that extra desirable micro organism to interrupt down the fishes waste. you additionally can get a water cleanser that facilitates spoil down ammonia and nitrites. yet another ingredient you will get is clear out help it somewhat is a liquid which you put in your tank for clean filters that havn't built up reliable micro organism yet. you additionally can get something noted as rigidity coat or you are able to desire to get aquarium salt (for freshwater fish, API do a reliable one) which the two help to shrink rigidity stages in the fish which could be brought about with the aid of the ammonia stages etc which would be in the tank on the 2d (because it hasn't been cycled). this could in basic terms lead them to much less possibly to die from rigidity on my own in spite of the incontrovertible fact that not from ammonia or nitrite poisoning itself. examine the labels in spite of the incontrovertible fact that because of the fact i'm not a hundred% specific you need to use them suddenly yet you're waiting to apply a mix of a few of them. i comprehend you are able to not use aquarium salt with tonics because of the fact tonics comprise salt as properly so which you would be including too lots to the tank. besides i'm hoping that facilitates! i could clarify on your sister that there is the probability that some or all the fish would die because of the fact the water hasn't had danger to cycle yet and in the event that they do then with a bit of luck which will coach her for next time. Remind her that is not purely the fish yet her money too! reliable success!

Answer 7

I use White Mountain Cloud Minnows.

Answer 8

Zebra Danios or Platies. They are hardy and somewhat cheap.

~ZTM

Answer 9

I would say Zebra Danios (I have some at the moment cycling my tank) or maybe White Clouds, maybe even neon tetras

Answer 10

zebra danios & white clouds, cherry barbs or tiger barbs for a slightly aggressive tank
Here is a link that explains it in detail
http://www.firsttankguide.net/cycle.php


Hope that helps
good luck


EB