Jo84

Which fishless cycle method is easiest and why?

sirdarksol

Easiest would be to use filter media from a cycled tank (presuming you have it).
Second easiest, in my opinion, would be to drop a piece of fish in.
However, I wouldn't use this, as I don't like the idea of purposefully fouling up the water.
I would use the pure ammonia method, if I didn't have several tanks with loaded filter media.

pepetj

In my opinion, the quickest and safe method is the Xdrops of Ammonia soulution daily with help from seeded media (sponges and substrate), with lights on 24/7 -since I don't use heater due to living in the Caribbean; if you use a heater raise the temp to 29.5C or 85F, plants in the tank from day one, and maximum surface water agitation.

I have used this method and I feel safe about the amount of ammonia entering the tank is adequate, unlike fishfood or raw shrimp, I can control what goes into the tank and make adjustments.
My tanks time to fishless cycle:
Tank 1 (10gal) 13 days, X=10 drops -no seeded media available
Tank 2 (5.5gal) 14 days, X=6 drops -small sponge media at the filter
Tank 3 (29gal) 11 days, X=60 drops -whole sponge media seeded
Tank 4 (145gal) 11 days, X=25ml -seeded substrate (sand) 1 HOB that ran for 2+weeks at tank 3.
Tank 5 (40gal) 9 days, X=7ml -seeded substrate, seeded filter (both from tank 3)

Pepe
Santo Domingo

peacemaker92

In my opinion, I'd use fish food. I used this method on my 15g and nothing went wrong. The tank was eventually cycled and fish were happily swimming in it. But Darksol's advice about taking some filter media from an established/cycled tank is much easier and uses very little time. Well, good luck!

jdhef

In my opinion BioSpira or Tetra Safe Start is the easiest. Just put in the BioSpira/Safe Start add your fish and you are good to go.

Lucy

I agree with sir, using used filter media from a cycled tank is the easiest.

Alessa

if you definately cant afford Tetra Safe Start, then fishless, with ammonia (so that no other bad things get in the tank) and seeded with filter mud/grave/media from an established filter.