http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum Questions, tips and advice on how to mature an aquarium using biological filtration. en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:33:20 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59308&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:39:01 GMT Hi guys, Bought an Aqua-One Horizon 54 on sunday, been set up since and started the cycle Monday. Been raising ammonia levels too around 5ppm, i... Hi guys,

Bought an Aqua-One Horizon 54 on sunday, been set up since and started the cycle Monday.

Been raising ammonia levels too around 5ppm, i added Interpet Filter start from day 2 (Tuesday) and im continuing 2ml of Filter start every 2 days.

Just wanted too know if im doing this right because i tested my water a lil bit earlier tonight and my nitrite has dropped 2ppm over night and my nitrate is upto 1.5ppm approx. - i thought this fishless cycling was slow but its happening so fast i almost feel like something has gone wrong!

If some of you fishkeeping experts can help shed some light on this id be very happy :D ]]> Maturing/Cycling an Aquarium paulw333 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59308 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59143&goto=newpost Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:40:02 GMT I want to start cycling a new tank and was going to use filter media from my current tank. I was going to replace the polyseter and put the old... I want to start cycling a new tank and was going to use filter media from my current tank. I was going to replace the polyseter and put the old mucky one in the new filter. The only problem is the polyster is only 2 weeks old. Do you think it will have enough bacteria to give it a kick start?

I normally change that bit of the filter every 4 weeks. Should I wait another 2 weeks so it's good an dirty or would I be better off moving it over now so it can start getting the new filter spondes colonised?

I appreciate its probably 6 of one and half a dozen of the other, but I would appreciate opinions.

Cheers

Angela ]]> Maturing/Cycling an Aquarium GrubbyGirl http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59143 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59102&goto=newpost Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:29:23 GMT I'm a couple of weeks in to my cycle and started testing for nitrates last night and also did a test of the water straight from the tap. The nitrate count in the tap appeared to be about double that of the tank. Is this possible or did I just mess up the test somehow? ]]> Maturing/Cycling an Aquarium BiroMan http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59102 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59020&goto=newpost Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:45:59 GMT Hi there, We recently went to our lfs and asked about using aquarium to cycle the tank. They reccomended a product called Easyneo, and I was just... Hi there,

We recently went to our lfs and asked about using aquarium to cycle the tank. They reccomended a product called Easyneo, and I was just wondering if anyone has used it for purely cycling their tank, because I can't work out how it works!!!

I suppose the key info on the back is...

'Easyneo is a special liquid filtration medium that brings superior benefits to your precious tank. It contains a highly active freshwater formula and is entirely natural. Easyneo introduces no chemicals or biological substances into the aquarium water'

'The product makes useful bacteria multiply much faster. Perfect for starting up new tanks. Easyneo makes biofilters perform better and last longer'

Do I still need to use ammonia with this? It just confuses me tbh! lol

Thanks, take care

Pete ]]> Maturing/Cycling an Aquarium petey6139 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59020 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=58997&goto=newpost Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:42:27 GMT Hi,

I'm new to all this so I hope somebody can help!

We set up our tank on Sunday (Fluval Roma 125) and when I asked in a few local shops about cycling the tank they said that if you use Nutrafin Cycle for the first 3 days and come back after 7 days, they will test the water and sell us our first fish as long as the water is OK. So I've put in the required 100ish ml of Nutrafin Cycle over the past 2 days with another 25 due to go in 2moro and then that will be all I'll do.

However from reading the posts on here it seems that the process should be a lot more complicated than this and that it takes a number of weeks rather than 7 days.

Obviously all I want to do is make sure the fish are healthy when the go in the tank (think it's going to be 6 harlequin rasboras), is the second method a bit over the top or is it the first one that's a bit simplistic?

Any advice would be great, thanks:) ]]> Maturing/Cycling an Aquarium mkfishkeeper http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=58997 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=58921&goto=newpost Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:23:30 GMT Ok, sorry this is just of series of questions i'm asking at the minute..

As mentioned before I had a tank for a number of years, but have been tankless for the past year or so now due to living situations.

I am hoping to move and therefore have a tank by summer... I can't wait have missed my fish so much.

Now when I first set my tank up I was young and in experienced so I want to know how to cycle a tank properly, I literally brought the tank and put fish in it in the same day... ****** awlful I know that now and another thing to admit (please don't shout) I never tested the water, never knew you had to really until I properly researched it but by then I was coming to the end of being able to have a tank.
Never really had any problems, but that doesn't matter I want to do it properly,

So I basically need to know everything that involves cycling a tank and keeping up with all the right tests and stuff, nitrates and nitrites????

In thicko style if you don't mind! ;)

Also does anyone use salt in the water?

Many thanks in advance, i know I;m a pain! :) ]]> Maturing/Cycling an Aquarium Ruthie http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=58921 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=58860&goto=newpost Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:07:31 GMT Hi there, can someone please advise me on what to do when my water is too soft. We have taken readings today and all seem fine apart from the water... Hi there, can someone please advise me on what to do when my water is too soft.

We have taken readings today and all seem fine apart from the water is below recommendation. We are unsure what to do about this, it is only slightly below though. Thankyou ]]> Maturing/Cycling an Aquarium annabelle http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=58860 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=58829&goto=newpost Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:55:30 GMT I am building a new tank hoping to breed some corydoras pygmaeus and I just purchased two JBL sponge filters for this task. Image:... I am building a new tank hoping to breed some corydoras pygmaeus and I just purchased two JBL sponge filters for this task.



I also have a mature cycled Fluval FX5 and I want to put the two new sponges in one of the FX5 baskets to speed up the cycling process. My question is how long will it take for the new media to be ready to use in the breading tank? Thanks! ]]> Maturing/Cycling an Aquarium qntt http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=58829 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=58766&goto=newpost Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:31:37 GMT this appears in FAQ to Fishless Cycling

and may encourage newcomers to do a Fish-IN cycle

"What's the usual method?
There are quite a few different ways to get a new filter going. Most fishkeepers mature a new filter by stocking slowly with hardy fish - Zebra danios are a common choice. The fish produce ammonia which builds up in the water and encourages the growth of the bacteria. However, as there are very few bacteria present when the filter is new the water will inevitably contain some pollution.

At first ammonia will be a problem, but then after a couple of weeks, nitrite levels will start to peak. The more pollution going in (whether it's from too many fish or too much food) the higher the ammonia and nitrite level will go, and the more likely the fish are to suffer from poisoning.

If you must mature a new filter in this manner you need to be very patient and very careful. If you add too many fish or feed them too much you'll certainly run into problems. Test regularly and be prepared to make a drastic water change if conditions become dangerous.

What are the benefits of fishless cycling?
Unlike the usual method, fishless cycling allows you to mature the system without placing fish under stress from polluted water. It means you won't have to choose hardy fish that you might not otherwise want to keep. And, if done correctly, it could allow you to reach a higher stocking density quicker and more safely than the conventional method."

and this doesn't appear till later..........

"Most people opt for an inorganic fishless cycling technique." ]]> Maturing/Cycling an Aquarium Yardbent http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=58766 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=58732&goto=newpost Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:34:03 GMT Help with a capital H!!!

I've set up my very first tank - a small 22 litre. I've set it up, added water, some water conditioner and have the filter running. I thought that was it but reading on the forum I think if I added fish next week I'd probably kill them!

What else do I need to do? I'm not sure I understand it all. Can someone please point me to some reading material!!

Laura ]]> Maturing/Cycling an Aquarium Aqua_Celt http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=58732 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=58708&goto=newpost Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:20:10 GMT Hopefully some of you wonderfully knowledgable people on here can give me some much needed advice. I apologize in advance for waffling and that our... Hopefully some of you wonderfully knowledgable people on here can give me some much needed advice. I apologize in advance for waffling and that our approach to this isn't ideal :(

My wife and I bought a 64l Interpet Fishbox after our wedding in the summer and have just set it up last Sunday (8th). Have installed the filter, lined the bottom with substrate, filled with Tapsafe conditioned water and been dosing with Filter Start as necessary since.

Basically, we have two small (yes I know they will grow hehe) goldfish that my best friend and girlfriend have been looking after since just after our wedding and the time has come for them to be picked up. They are currently in a much larger tank than ours, and I believe they are not even running a filter or anything as it was only supposed to be temporary....though they are both v spritely and seem healthy.

Long and short of it, through unexpected turn of events they need to be rid of the tank from their house and therefore need us to pick up the fish this coming weekend (14th/15th).

Now, you see the dilemma.

I appeciate the need for cycling etc but we have only just had chance to set our tank up and we realise it could potentially take a few weeks to balance properly. Unfortunately we seem to have no choice but to add the fish this Saturday and hope for the best.

Also, I haven't bought any of the test kits yet, we had intended to and will do asap.

I guess what I really wanted to ask is, what is the best way to approach this situation when we do put the fish in our new tank. Should I be considering using any water from my friends tank to help? Keep testing and monitoring water and make changes if necessary?

We don't want to lose Vegas and Maui :(

Sorry for the really newbie approach to this. Any help or advice is much appreciated. ]]> Maturing/Cycling an Aquarium bgrimes75 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=58708 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=58612&goto=newpost Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:00:20 GMT i have just been reading through the forum and have found lots of talk about using ammonia from boots, diy shops etc to start the cycling process,... i have just been reading through the forum and have found lots of talk about using ammonia from boots, diy shops etc to start the cycling process, including very helpful (and complicated) formula's.

should i use ammonia in this way or filter start that came with my previous 48ltr tank, is there any difference? ]]> Maturing/Cycling an Aquarium stevehat http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=58612 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=58607&goto=newpost Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:44:42 GMT what levels should i be recording of each of these before i add fish.... ( complete newbie here!!) what levels should i be recording of each of these before i add fish.... ( complete newbie here!!) ]]> Maturing/Cycling an Aquarium dizzeefish http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=58607 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=58558&goto=newpost Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:05:36 GMT Hi! I have had my tank for nearly 4 weeks now, and although that I my ammonia levels have reached 0, my nitrite is still around 3.3 and my nitrate... Hi!

I have had my tank for nearly 4 weeks now, and although that I my ammonia levels have reached 0, my nitrite is still around 3.3 and my nitrate is high

The nitrite has gone down, but has stayed the same for the past few days

I have not been topping up the ammonia as I was hoping that the nitrite levels would decrease on their own

Any advice??

Thanks x ]]> Maturing/Cycling an Aquarium heartofrainbow http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=58558 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=58527&goto=newpost Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:50:24 GMT Hello, EDIT: Could I fill a breeder box with Ceramic Noodles/filter wool (that are the exact things needed in my new aquarium), and float it in my... Hello,
EDIT:
Could I fill a breeder box with Ceramic Noodles/filter wool (that are the exact things needed in my new aquarium), and float it in my goldfish tank for a few weeks.
Then this can just be added to the new fish tank, and placing in fish food in the tank, testing the water every couple of days?









I have a 35 Litre Coldwater aquarium, with gravel and an elite stingray filter. Occupied by two goldfish.
This aquarium is cleaned once a week, with a 20% water change.

Soon, I will be getting a Aqua Style 620 Tropical Aquarium.

I was wondering, too cycle it, can I help it cylce by adding 'something' from the Coldwater aquarium, to the Tropical, e.g. water, some gravel?

Please go through the full Cycling process with this, or another method.

Thank you. ]]> Maturing/Cycling an Aquarium ShanehShane http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=58527