Shawnie

did you decide how you are going to cycle it yet?

the9thpawn

Boy!! moving a tank that large on your own is not recommended but doable.

Yeah, I got some of this stuff:

http://www.petco.com/product/13403/N...upplement.aspx

After reading the box, and talking to a rep at PetCo it seemed like this would be what I needed. Would you all agree? Use this and after at least 24 hours get 2 fish and monitor the water conditions.

I also purchased this for when I change the water:

http://www.petco.com/product/4118/Aq...nditioner.aspx

mrsmuffin

I don't have any personal experience, but from what I hear Cycle is NOT a good product. I believe that the bactera that it introduces to your tank is not the "good" bacteria and to continue to keep your tank cycled, you have to continue to add Cycle.

I am sure that someone that knows the product better will be along soon to give more detail.

jdhef

mrsmuffin is correct. Cycle contains the wrong type of bacteria for cycling a tank. You will need to add Cycle on a regular basis for the life of the tank, since the bacteria it contains is not self-sufficient.

the9thpawn

There were a couple similar items at PetCo that might be what I want then. Would you be able to suggest a product found at PetCo or Petsmart that can do what I want, and I can return and exchange this for the correct item.

Thanks for the help all!!

BTW, I also purchased the Fluval 305 (for 70g tanks) for my filtering. It was expensive, but should be worth the money based on the suggestions here and from the staff at PetCo.

jdhef

The only products that will instantly cycle your tank are BioSpira and Tetra Safe Start. Neither product was available at any of my local PetSmart's or Petco's. I did find BioSpira at a local store that only sells fish and aquarium related products.

If you want to cycle fish less using ammonia or fish food, some on the forum believe that Stress Zyme will speed up the process.

I think you are going to be very happy with your 305. They are expensive, but I think worth every penny.

the9thpawn

I will try to call around to non-chain pet stores to see if anyone has Tetra Safe Start.

Question on the bubble wand that I will eventually get. Is there any problem with the fish if I have it set on a timer (to be off when I am sleeping, but on when I am at work).

1. Will it stress them out to not have it on 100% of the time
2. Will it still oxygenate the tank enough if only on for a few hours a day?

I ask because I have a feeling it will be added noise that I don't want in my bedroom (maybe I won't mind the bubbles, but we'll see). I'm already worried about the filter although it won't be run until I get ready to fill the tank with water either tomorrow or next weekend.

MrsM3197

Pawn, I don't know about questions 1 or 2 but I can tell you that the sound of the water is really relaxing for me and actually helps me sleep at night better than I have in years.

jdhef

Oxygen enters the water through surface agitation. The bubbles comming out of the bubble wand do not put oxygen in your water, it's the surface movement that the bubbles cause that puts oxygen in the water.

As long as you don't put your filters output nozzle too far below the water surface, you should get enough surface agitation to supply the tank with oxygen. Although I do have an air pump with an orniment that incorparates an airstone in my tank.

Laelanna

Fluval's are good filters, my only issue with them is that they are VERY hard to get primed. We had to constantly fight with ours to prime them and they always made a mess. Someone may have a tip to help you with that though. I would reccommend using the bubble wand all the time. It does not add hardly any noise other than the sound of the air filter running and as ours is behind or under the aquarium, you can barely hear it. Also, its very amusing to watch the fish, especially the cory's, 'ride' the bubbles. They play in there most of the day.

the9thpawn

I found some Bio-Spira at a place called PETLAND (first time in there for me). They have such a CUTE display of animals for adoption. So many cute dogs and birds there. Apparently the "fish guy" is out for awhile since his wife had a baby, so I won't be able to test my water there, but petsmart and petco can, so no biggie.

Well I think on my agenda today is:

1. Rinse the gravel, and put into tank
2. Start arranging the fake plants and decorations
3. Go to the store to buy more (I know I totally don't have enough, but don't know what I want with plants yet)
4. Start filling with water
5. Follow the directions to get water in the canister and turn on
6. Put the heater in and set temp
7. Assemble lighting

Then sometime after tomorrow get two fish? Should I test the water before getting those two fish, or is Bio-Spira like a garunteed thing that it will be ready?

ShaynaB

Put the Bio Spira and fish in and let it work for 7 days, then test the water. You shouldn't need to test it before hand.

Also, make sure you put the Bio Spira in at the same time you put the fish in!

Oh, and if you have a water conditioner like Prime, don't use Prime while you're in the middle of the bio spira stuff. It stops the bacteria from working basically...

Congrats on the new tank!

the9thpawn

Thanks ShaynaB, the tank is coming together a bit finally!

I have some API Water Conditioner. So just fill with tap water, and put the Bio-Spira in with two fish immediately?

Or use the conditioner, wait a day, then put in the Bio-Spira and fish? Since I have the supplies now, just want to make sure use them in the right order.

When I get the water in I will have to wait for the heater to get the temp under control first anyway, and that might take all night... I dunno.

ShaynaB

Well, the problem with Prime is that it "locks" ammonia.

So if the API stuff doesn't say it "locks" ammonia, you're probably good.

You can put in conditioner when you put in water, then add fish and Bio Spira at the same time. That way all the chlorine and such is out of the water while you're waiting for the temp to stabilize. Try to put room temp water in the tank and it'll get to 78 faster!

the9thpawn

The bottle doesn't say lock on it, and it does have a little sales pitch on the back saying "to detoxify the ammonia..... use AMMO-LOCK." So it looks like I am ok.

So when I finish getting the water in, I should use this "API Tap Water Conditioner" and then get the temp to 78. Once I am there, go get two fish. Come home, put the Bio-Spira in, and then acclimate the fish at the same time.... correct?

jdhef

Correct.

jdhef

My Fluval 205 is very easy to prime. It has a little primer on top of the canister that you pull up and pust down repeatedly until you no longer get air coming out of your output nozzle.

Laelanna

Ours had that too, but we could never get it to prime well. I always had to make my hubby do it and it always took about a half our to get it primed. Rena is soooo much easier, imo!