BlkBullet23

Can snails survive while your tank is being cycled?

Currently have a 10gal tank thats being cycled.
ammonia levels at .05. No nitrite yet. Unless my test strips are fouled up.
No fish, plants or snails in the tank thanks to the nitrogen cycle info.
My tank is about a week old. I have colored gravel and a few fake plants in it.
Water temperature is currently at 72 degrees. I also dont have a heater yet.


I'm using the fish food method to get the cycle going, but by the time the cycle finishes, my tank will be littered with fish food.
If I cant use snail power to clean the older food, then whats the next step?

Nick G

I personally wouldn't add snails. If your worried about the food just vacumn it out, or if you don't have a vacumn use a bit of tubing and just siphon it.

BlkBullet23

Thanks Goody, I need to get me some tubing then.

Peterpiper

Dont remove the food as this is where the ammonia is coming from.
I would not put anything living in the tank, as it would suffer from the ammonia.
Once the tank has cycled do a 100% water change and vac the graval, take out the filter media and give it a light rinse in tank water, then start stocking your tank.

disturbedme

It's better to cycle your tank fishless. I didn't do that and wish I would have now. My tank is also a 10 gallon and just starting to cycle as well. I have a golden mystery snail and two bettas in there. I am just cleaning it often to keep the ammonia and harmful stuff down while it cycles. I'm also using Prime.

agabr123

if it's easier, you can use pure ammonia to help cycle the tank instead of fish food, there isn't any waste. but make sure its just ammonia and water, no soaps, no other chemicals, etc. good luck and great decision to cycle fishless!

BlkBullet23

Found some pure ammonia at my local 99c store.
Sucked most of the food out of the tank and used the ammonia instead. works like a charm.

I can feel slime all over the decorations and gravel. its not colored or anything and you cant see it, but you can feel it. Does this mean that my cycle is nearly finished?

Shawnie

the heater will help alot as warmer water cycles faster...id get a stealth as they arent expensive at all and crank that baby up to 86 or so ...with the food you have in there, and the ammonia, you should be done in no time...but another issue might be your test strips..they most often give false readings more than positive the liquid master API kit rocks and has everything you will need to test the tank..and it lasts forever!