tighidden

Hello. I just finished cycling my tank and when the substrate is stirred up the decaying flakes that I had been using to fishless cycle the tank (which is what I think they are) cause a storm of this white stuff in the tank. I know it will go away after a while because I've had it happen before. I just want to know if I am doing the cycling wrong and if this can be avoided in the future.

tighidden

I cycled by feeding the tank on the same schedule as a normal feeding routine. Once in the morning, occasionally in the afternoon and at night.

Steen16

Just give it a gravel vaccum before you add fish.

lilFishyfish

Hi, how long did you leave the food in there before changing any of the water? It can cause a major ammonia spike if the food keeps decaying and more gets added on top of the decaying stuff.

I agree with Steen, just use a fish vaccum to clean the gravel and it should be fine. I'd test your water though first for ammonia and nitrate before adding fish.

sgould

Instead of using flakes to cycle, you can put in a chunk of raw shrimp. It will start to decay and give off ammonia, which will get your cycle going. That way you only have 1 hunk to remove when you add fish, instead of a mess of flakes.

Steen16

True but this can smell BAD!! lol

Shawnie

it really doesnt ..you dont want an entire piece in there for a tank under 55gal....by the time you smell it, ammonia will be present way before

Steen16

OH less then 1?

woops i used two in a 10g!! :O

thated be why it was a bit wiffy

sgould

Shawnie

o my I cant even imagine what that area of the room was like!!

Steen16

HEY stop being a meeny!!

I was new!

Steen16

But hey it cycled it in 2 and a half weeks!!!