JohnnyGoldfish

I’ve just set up a 40 gallon tank, so it’s just starting to cycle. Would I be fine to place my 3 zebras and 2 platys into it, to cycle it with fish? And should I plant it or will the plants use up the ammonia dragging out the cycling process?

The fish are in a 10 gallon now, so they are fine, just eager to move. Already have their bags packed.

I’ve read Mollies and platys are brackish…..best to not get more of these right? Poor guys must be stressed without their brackish water. Maybe I should keep them in the 10 gallon and make it my brackish tank?

Emmy

i cycled my tank with guppies and i would NOT recommend cycling with fish. i still have two of the original guys but man, what a time i had... 50% water changes everyday, which totally slows down the cycling and i lost 4 of the 6 fish regardless of my efforts to keep them alive. i would just try to be patient for a few weeks til your tank fully cycles, your fish will thank you for it, and it's less work for you.

kimb

Since your fish are already in a tank, there is really no reason to move them while cycling and expose them to the harmful ammonia, nitrite and nitrate elevations they would be exposed to. If you want to "hurry" along your cycle, you can use some plants, a handful of gravel or some filter media from your 10g to help your cycle along. Even if your fish survive (provided you are willing to do 50% water changes eveyday with a product like "prime" to detoxify between changes) the fish may still suffer he effects months down the road. If you can get a product like Tetra Safe Start, you can cycle with fish provided you carefully follow the bottle directions (some members have had gread success with this, some have not). Either way, the cycle without fish takes some time, but in the long wrong is best for your fish. Good luck with your tank and welcome to Fishlore!

Sharkitty

I certainly would not put them in. Guppies are not hardy and will likely die. As mentioned above, cycling wish fish means you need to change half the water every day to keep ammonia and nitrite within reasonable levels. Of course, keeping ammonia and nitrite low will make your cycle slower. I'd definitely get some pure ammonia and cycle fishless - much less headache and risk to your fishies.

Lego2Theos

I would agree it would not be a good idea to cycle with fish.

If you want info more info on how to cycle fishless you could look here.http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm
You already have a cycled tank so you could add some gravel and a little filter media after you have an ammonia reading.

IMO It will go much quicker than with fish. It is easier too. Especailly considering the daily water changes required to protect your fish during cycling.

Craig-D

Mollies and platies are not brackish water fish, they are freshwater fish. While they like a little salt, they could not tolerate the amount of salt in brackish water.

If you want to start your tank up with fish, I recommend Tetra SafeStart, as others have mentioned. I was cycled in 4 days with it and was able to have my tank fully stocked in 2 weeks from startup. Otherwise, you can safely cycle with fish if you dose daily with products such as Amquel+ or Prime. Both will detoxify ammonia and nitrites for the fish, but will leave them in a form available for the biological filter to consume, thus not interfering with your cycle.

kimb

If you decide to "dose" with Prime or Amquel+ you must still do 50% wc each day. IMO, the only safe way to cycle with fish is TSS.