2lucky

Hi everyone. This is a follow-up thread from my last-"Has anyone tried Tetra Sure Start".

Well, as it turns out TTS isn't available in Australia so I'm looking to do a fishless cycle.
I have fish in the tank at the moment with Stability but I want to take them out, is it possible to cycle a tank after the fish are taken out?
Also will I have to take the plants out aswell? I really don't want to empty all the water out and start again because here in Australia we have water restrictions and it is a 420L tank.

I think I will transfer the fish into another smaller aquarium (50L) and continue adding Stablity into their water until the cycle of the other tank is complete and then I will put them back.

So can you tell me how long the cycle (of the big tank) will take and how I should go about it?

All help will be apreciated!!
M

GouramiGirl1221

If you're cycling fishless it should take about a month. You'll need to get your hands on some pure ammonia, meaning nothing listed in the ingredients other than ammonia and water. An easy way to "test" to see if what you've found is ok for your aquarium is to shake it. If it foams, then it's not safe to use. Your plants should be fine. Best of luck!

Dozey

You most certainly can remove the fish and then cycle the tank and no you do not need to remove the plants. The cycle will take slightly longer with plants as they absorb nitrites (one of the toxins required for the cycling process).

I will direct you to http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm which explains the process of cycling with out fish. The fastest method of cycling a tank is with ammonia. With the fish out of the tank there will be no water changes during the process. The ammonia process generally will take 3 to 6 weeks.

After reading the instructions feel free to ask more questions to fill in the grey areas. Most people do.

2lucky

Thanks.

In the fishlore article on the nitrogen cycle it doesn't say how often (if at all) you have to perform water changes while the tank's cycling fishless?

Dozey

You will not have to do any water changes during a fishless cycle. Once your tank has cycled you will replace all of the water (or at least as much as you can). And then you are ready to start adding fish.

Lucy

That's one of the reasons going fishless is prefered, it's less work for you and no fish are harmed in the process.

jdhef

Just a side note, there was someone on this forum a while back that claimed Sability did cycle his tank. I have no experiance with it, and I probably wouldn't try cycling with it, but it might be worth your while to research it a little more.

FishJones

I tried Stability in my 29 gallon tank and it did not help at all. The numbers stayed exactly the same and it did not speed it at all.

@2lucky, wrote in your TSS thread to check out www.thatpetplace.com, they have TSS and they say to contact them about international shipping so hopefully you can get it from there.

2lucky

yeah, i think what I'll do is try using Stability and if the ammonias and nitrites start to spike I'll move the fish and go fishless cycle.

I'm not doubting anyone here's judgement but I googled Stability reviews and threads on other forums and there was not one bad note.

If I add fish slowly lets hope I'll be fine!

Lucy

I've heard good things and not so good things about it.
This is one of those products, like StressZyme that you have to try and judge for yourself and see if it works for you or not.
Good luck, be sure to let us know how you make out with it.

fishlover78

I absolutely agree 100% Lucy, and fishless cycling is cheaper too because you aren't using a additional large amount of water every day (between 5-50 gallons) and you also aren't buying prime by the gallon, or even by the drum!

FishJones

Good luck 2lucky with Stability, I likewise saw the 4-5 good reviews when you google it and was disappointed it didn't help mine, hope works for you.