I just got an aquarium, is there a way around cycling the tank?

Question

I just bought an aquarium and I was excited to get some fish, then I was told that I need to "cycle" the tank. I'm not too happy about putting a bunch of fish in the tank not that I know they are probably going to die. I feel so bad I almost don't want my aquarium anymore.

Is there some sort of chemical or algae that I can just buy and put in the tank instead of cycling with fish? I'm open to anything other than killing the fish.

Answer 1

Unless you can get your hands on some live media, you will have to cycle. If you have a friend with a tank, ask to borrow one of their used filter cartridges, which you then squeeze into your filter, which results in much faster colonization. You could do a fishless cycle, which is still a cycle, but no fish are harmed (link below). Most of the live bacteria cultures sold in bottles at pet stores are scams, and RARELY will you find one that works. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Soop Nazi

how to do a fishless cycle- http://www.fishlesscycling.com/articles/how_to_do_a_fishless_cycle.html

EDIT: "Bottled bacteria" is a scam. You may get a bottle that works once in a while, but for the one that does work, you'll see about 19 that are duds. Don't waste your money on miracle treatments, just cycle the tank. You can't cheat nature (thank you Finatic).

Answer 2

You're my new best friend, lol.

Seriously though, yes - you can cycle the tank without fish.

Place a fistful fish flakes in a stocking/tights/sock or something similar. Weight it down or place the opening under an ornament. After 2 days, start checking for ammonia. Replace the ammonia ball when it gets too smelly. You'll notice the levels rise over a few days, then they'll level off and won't go any higher. Then, after a few more days, they'll start to fall. This is when you start checking for nitrite.

Once ammonia gets below 2ppm, top it back up to 2ppm. This is so you can see how long the filter takes to convert 2ppm of ammonia into nitrite.

Nitrite will follow the same pattern as ammonia - rise, peak, fall and you'll see a rise in nitrAtes (totally different - inspite of the spelling - fish are largely tolerant of nitrate as long as you keep it below 40ppm).

When ammonia and nitrite stay at 0ppm - inspite of you topping ammonia up every day - the tank is cycled. Carry out a water change of 70% (this is the only time you should have to do such a large a water change) and enjoy your first few fish.

This process will take somewhere between 3 and 6 weeks depending on the filter and tank capacity. The pet shop might be able to give you some mature media from their filters - or, if you're in the UK, they might be able to supply you with Bactinettes (cost about £5 and go in the filter). Both of these will help speed the cycling process up a bit.

Email me if you need any more advice.

Answer 3

If you have a friend with an established tank you can borrow some of his gravel. Don't wash it or let it dry out. Add it to your tank and start up a fishless cycle. It won't eliminate the need to cycle the tank completely, but it will speed things up. You can give the gravel back when you're done.

Answer 4

Biospira is great stuff. According to the packaging you can add fish immediately after treating your water with it. I have never actually done it but I know others who have used it with success. I add it to my water every 2 months or so and my fish have SO much energy for a couple weeks afterwards. It's kind of expensive,but may be an option for you.

Answer 5

as others are saying unless you get a active filter then there is no way. thry aquabid.com and go to sponges there is a guy who sells active sponge filters. or you can get one from angelsplus, just go to supply store and goto filters then active sponges.