Elvishswimmer

Hello all!

I am a very excited new hobbyer. Today is my birthday and my boyfriend bought me an aquarium!
It is a 37G and it is a starter kit, so it came with the stand, heater, filter and light! I've been wanting to get an aquarium for years now and was ecstatic to see it sitting in my living room!

I've done a lot of background reading about the nitrogen cycle. I swear I have read 20 articles or more on it! Not to mention I'm a biology major and many of my classes have covered it as well.
I'm about ready to start my fishless cycling. Just need to buy the ammonia, as well as the test kits (and some other little things for my aquarium like a back drop and a vacuum).

But I have one question! Where do the bacteria come from? Is it essential to seed the tank before you start adding the ammonia, or do they just appear there once there is ammonia present.

I was wondering this because I have no friends that have fish to seed my tank with. Would I be able to just start adding the ammonia and the cycle will start happening?

iloveengl

Hi Elvish! Welcome to Fishlore! Congrats on the new tank and happy birthday, too!

That's awesome that you already know about cycling and you're going fishless! Yep, once you add the ammonia source, the bacteria just kind of happens on its own. For ammonia, choose the cheapest most basic type (should contain only ammonia and water) usually found in the cleaning supplies section. Or fishfood will work. Add a pinch every 12 hours and as it rots, it creates ammonia.

After a few weeks, once the cycle is done, what kind of fishies are you thinking about adding?

Lucy

Hi Welcome to FishLore
Happy Birthday!
What a great gift and congrats on cycling Fish-less.

Yep, you can add ammonia and the bacteria will start to develop.
I can't say where it comes from, all I know is one type begins to develop to process the ammonia. Once ammonia is converted to nitrites another bacteria develops and converts nitrites to nitrates.

Here's a thread that describes Four Methods of Fish Less Cycling

Best of luck

Elvishswimmer

Thank you for the welcome and birthday wishes!

I am a big fan of goldfish . Not really the basic comet goldfish, but some of the more fancier types.
I really love orandas and moors and ranchus, but I'm not sure if I'll be spending the big money on some really fancy fish until I completely understand how this fishkeeping thing works.

I made sure to get a large tank for them and I plan on only getting 3. I've heard that goldfish can live for up to 20 years and I want to make sure that they live a full and happy life span.

I realize that contrary to popular belief, goldfish aren't the most easiest of beginner fish, but I really do love them a lot and have studied up on them a bunch, so I think I am capable of looking after them.

On the note of where the bacteria comes from, my scientific mind wants to find out, so I might have to go and see if there is any research done. Maybe they can be airborne and land in your tank or something!

Lucy

I think someone brought that up once on the forum. Not sure if there was anything scientific to back it up though.
All that's way over my head. lol
I guess it's like raw meat. Leave it unrefriderated and bacteria develops.
Was it there all the time waiting for the right conditions for it to develop?

It'll be interesting to see what your research turns up.

aquarist48

Happy Birthday and Welcome to Fish Lore Elvis! So glad to see that you're doing your research first. Some great tips and advice above. I'm heading out this morning to buy some fancy goldfish myself I've always loved them.
If you decide to use food as your ammonia source I recommend using a jumbo shrimp. Place it in a mesh bag and let it sink in your tank. This will be a lot less messy than flake fish food.
A couple of links you may find helpful:
http://www.fishlore.com/acclimating-tropicalfish.htm
http://www.ratemyfishtank.com/articles/107
Please keep us updated on your progress. We love photos around here as well.
Have fun and I hope you enjoy the site.
Best wishes.
Ken

bolivianbaby

Welcome to Fishlore Happy Birthday, congratulations on your new tank and for doing your research ahead of time! You're a step ahead of a lot of us when we started fishkeeping

Looks like the other members have you covered!