matt6765

Hi...do you do fishless cycles, write why or why not

Lego2Theos

Yep. I do now.

Reasons:
#1 IMO they are much more humane.
#2 They are faster since you end up doing daily water changes
#3 much less work (Daily water changes are aweful).
#4 I am cheap so 1 shrimp is cheaper than a bottle of TSS.

Amanda

TECHNICALLY no.
I use TSS or filter media from a well ebstablished tank for an isnstant cycle.

soldieroffortune1974

Ditto for me except the TSS

Moe Jacob

I do fishless even with a seeded media ... in my case, there has been an ammonia spike everytime (4 tanks) even with used media from a healthy tank. So, in my case, I find that my cycle lasts 2 weeks using old media as compared to 6 weeks starting fresh.

I like Lego2Theos' post ... right on the money!

Phinny12

Definatly fishless.

harpua2002

No, I cycle new tanks via media transfer.

fishchick

I do a fishless cycle , just to give the tank time to do its thing ! It also gives my fish time to live longer hopefully !

lew2000

I do the same as Moe Jacob - i just like to insure that everything is proceeding as planned - and i make myself take the time and be patient.

eiginh

No, b/c I used SuperBac and it works like TSS.

Jaysee

No. I haven't had to "cycle" a tank in a long time, and when I did I used that bacteria in a bottle....can't remember the name...spira something?

Since then, I transfer media and add fish. That's it.

Tony G.

YEs and no...

i used to cycle with media, but i did my first fishless cycle without media and it took forever! glad its done though LOL

wait.. this thread is pretty old....

Jaysee

Yes it is.

thorpbrian

Oh well. Even if this thread is a little old it's still a relevant topic. I used TSS and used filter media to cycle my tanks.

Beth1965

I cyclw with media. faster and humane.

kcarmartinez

I agree Fishless Cycling is more humane.
I usually use some media/water from another tank and a bacteria starter to cut down the time. My Cichlid tank I wanted to keep "clean" so I didn't. It took 5 weeks using pure ammonia. I thought that was a little long.
I am not adverse to using some bacteria starters and chemicals to make the water safe for your fish.

Jackie Frost

No, but due to ignorance solely. If I ever get another tank I would absolutely cycle fishless.

Jaysee

If you ever got another tank you could skip the cycle and add fish immediately. This realization is the beginning of MTS

aquarist48

Hello. Let me elaborate a bit on Jaysee's comment. I believe he means that you could "seed" the new tank with filter media from the established tank for an instant cycle. You can add the fish right away by using established filter media. Keeping an eye on your chemistry readings of course in case of a mini cycle. However, if you don't over stock the new tank right away then there shouldn't be a rise in ammonia or anything else. Add the fish gradually over a period of time....a few fish at a time. You want to give the new tank time to establish a good strong bio colony by going slowly. Be prepared for water changes just in case. I've had great success with "seeding" and I know others have as well.

Option #4 in this link:
Four Methods of Fish Less Cycling
Ken

taffy

hi, i must have M.T.S. straight away as i got my first tank then within three weeks i progressed to my third i suppose keeping discus can be blamed for that trying to find diff coulors or is it just me going to replace my juwel tank for acustom built 5ft next i supose M.T.S. never stops good luck all taffy.

hi, why not get a brewing bucket with a heater, air stone, your new filter sponge, do awater change into the bucket squeese your old sponge out keep over nite set tank up the following day top off with fresh water simples.

Hello. I've merged your posts to save some space. Don't forget there is an "Edit" key at the bottom of every post for additional thought ans corrections.
Thanks!
Ken

David C

It's too easy not too. Use some seeded media from another tank and a few drops of ammonia every day for a couple weeks and presto... a perfectly safe cycle. Just seems like a no-brainer.

Dave

HOWsMom

Yes, and no.

Newer tanks, yes I am.
Older tanks, no I did not.

DoublexL

fishless with a raw shrimp

catsma_97504

When I have the option, I always go for the fishless cycle. I see no reason to put fish through the stress of a cycle and having to deal with high nitrogenous waste as well as pH bounce.

But, unfortunately, this isn't always an option. For example, inheriting a tank that comes with fish. It must recycle at its new location when the previous owner failed to keep up on the maintenance, or in my case, they turned off the filter!! Poor little monsters (the fish were full grown).

Vash

Doing fishless cycle right now.

I simply do not want to lose any fish once I get some. Well that might not be completely avoidable, but I will try to minimize that possibility as much as possible, so I will do things "right" as much as possible.

lea

I started with fishless, but after getting cycled plants and driftwood i decided to add 1 fish and used Stability (no TSS in Austtralia) and filter media from my cycled tank. Got an instant cycle - worked like a charm. . Added more fish slowly when after several weeks i still had good readings in my water.

KewtyPatootie

Back in the fish bowl days.. no. And my first real tank was given to me by a friend, so it was already an established tank. As for other two, I just used filter media from my initial and 2nd tank. So technically, I've never cycled a tank.

Kopeth

I voted no.

I seed media from an established tank and do daily water changes until not required. Typically the tank has an instant cycle for me.

konstargirl

Unfortunally I don't. I was going to with Miyavi's tank, but I didn't really have the time.

I hope next time though.

Telcomvic

I've only had 2 tanks a 5.5 gal and 20 gal. 3 of the fish that cycled the 5.5 also cycled the 20. They are still going stong a year later. I see no reason to change what works. Glo fish are genetically altered Zebra Danios that come in day-glo colors.