Fish in vs Fishless cycle?

I am getting some platys today and maybe a nerite snail! Last I fed fish food was right after the water test yesterday, but it’s all back to zero (except nitrate which are not at 10ppb). I’ll be testing fairly often until I can make sure the parameters are stable.

I’ve done a couple water changes already and boy is it exhausting carrying all that water up and down stairs! Good thing my back is so forgiving lol

Ooh platys are really pretty. Yeah, water changes are pretty tiring... I should be happy I don't have any big tanks. Lol I literally use a flower vase to change the water please don't judge.

 

Ooh platys are really pretty. Yeah, water changes are pretty tiring... I should be happy I don't have any big tanks. Lol I literally use a flower vase to change the water please don't judge.

In the past I have enjoyed doing water changes but with the stairs.....not so much. I used to have to use a small pitcher for water changes for my old 20 gallon I ended up getting a the 3 platys like I planned but not the nerite snail because I didn't see one I wanted! I might convince my mom to bring me to petco in a few days and I'll see if they have them, but I won't be able to go the the lfs for a while.

 

In the past I have enjoyed doing water changes but with the stairs.....not so much. I used to have to use a small pitcher for water changes for my old 20 gallon I ended up getting a the 3 platys like I planned but not the nerite snail because I didn't see one I wanted! I might convince my mom to bring me to petco in a few days and I'll see if they have them, but I won't be able to go the the lfs for a while.

Same... can't go to petsmart or petco. But my dad would be reluctant to bring me even if the virus wasn't going on lol. I've never had platys but I probably will get some soon. Have fun with the platys then

 

Same... can't go to petsmart or petco. But my dad would be reluctant to bring me even if the virus wasn't going on lol. I've never had platys but I probably will get some soon. Have fun with the platys then

Yeah, my parent's aren't particularly fond of bringing me places either. Thanks! Hopefully they do okay in their tank

 

I’m currently trying to cycle a planted 10g (been about a week). I’m adding bacteria and some fish food to try to get it going, but everything is still measuring at 0ppm. The plants are growing and doing great so I almost wonder if it’s done, but it hasn’t been that long and I didn’t seed the tank. Should I try a fish in cycle? If anyone has pros and cons or suggestions I would definitely appreciate it!

 

I always looked at cycling with fish as a primer for being a good keeper .
If you learn to change water and offer your fish clean water you will likely be a success fish keeping .There is a whole thread on the thought cycling with bacteria is not as good as with fish .
I tend to believe it .
Your time has been very short and using only food for a ammonia source to start bacteria is a slow unmeasured approach ..
Are using any other source of ammonia for the bacteria ? It has to be fed to develop .
How come we never read about failed fish in cycles?? | Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle Forum | 513299

 

A cycle will take roughly 4-6 weeks. You have just started.

If you go fish in prepare to change water possibly daily. It is a lot more work than just sitting and looking at it adding ammonia. You have to choose your poison...Waiting or work? Its is hard to switch in the middle so now is the time.

 

Your tank isn't cycled. If you want to finish this out fishless you are going to need to add more ammonia. I have a feeling that your plants are sucking up whatever ammonia is being produced thus far. Therefore your bacteria is having to compete with the plants for food and since the plants are already present your bacteria will have trouble getting established unless you provide an adequate amount of food (ammonia).

I would go with liquid ammonium and supplement with flake food.
The whole process is going to take over a month. If you aren't seeing nitrate in your test results then you know the cycle isn't done yet.
I would hesitate to add fish, unless you are rock solid capable of completing a fish in cycle.

 

In the past I’ve done fish in cycling or seeded the tank and it’s worked well, and I’m absolutely able to keep up with the water changes and checking parameters. However, my fish have always been really hardy breeds and for this one I’m planning ember tetras and a betta which can be slightly more sensitive than fish I’ve had before. Whichever way I go I’m more than willing to put in the work to keep the fish happy

 

In the past I’ve done fish in cycling or seeded the tank and it’s worked well, and I’m absolutely able to keep up with the water changes and checking parameters. However, my fish have always been really hardy breeds and for this one I’m planning ember tetras and a betta which can be slightly more sensitive than fish I’ve had before. Whichever way I go I’m more than willing to put in the work to keep the fish happy

If you are going sensitive fish I would stay with fishless then. Maybe you can get some liquid ammonia to more accurately dose. Bettas have enough issues now a days to start them off in a cycle.

 

I agree you should give it time, but if the plants are soaking up the ammonia before the bacteria can get to it I don't see that as a bad thing, as long as it's being processed.

 

You've gotten some good advice, which ever way you decide to continue. Only other tip is "Patience".
Once you have the tank cycled, your next tanks will be easier, using seeded sponges/media.

Good Luck!

 

I’m currently trying to cycle a planted 10g (been about a week). I’m adding bacteria and some fish food to try to get it going, but everything is still measuring at 0ppm. The plants are growing and doing great so I almost wonder if it’s done, but it hasn’t been that long and I didn’t seed the tank. Should I try a fish in cycle? If anyone has pros and cons or suggestions I would definitely appreciate it!

I'd recommend fishless cycling with ammonia in your case, but if you don't want to attempt that, I'd suggest a fish-in cycle. Fishless cycling with fish food, especially if you already have plants, an be a bit annoying and hard to track and basically I would not recommend it.

So yeah, fishless with ammonia dosing or fish-in.

Pro of fishless with ammonia is that it is safe, a lot less work, a lot less hassle, and much easier to track progress. Con is it can take some time.

Pro of fish-in is that you have fish from the get go. Con is if anything goes wrong you may have to do a lot of work which is just a pain. Also fish may die if you don't catch mistakes early.

Pro of fishless cycling is that fish food is conceptually easier to grasp than ammonia dosing. Con is it takes a long time, far longer than ammonia dosing. Also it is super hard to track. And you may not even end up cycling your tank anyways.

 

Thank you everyone for your help! I don’t feel confident using ammonia from a bottle right now, so I decided to do a fish in cycle. I’ll make sure to monitor the water closely and adjust as necessary. I feel confident that I can catch any issues in the cycle right away, so all the fish should stay happy and healthy. Here’s my new fish! (And yes I know the betta is sick)