Fish-keeper
- #1
I have a 55L tank how long should I cycle it.
There's no length of time that you can cycle it.
It's however long it takes the bacteria colony to fully establish and be able to process ammonia in 24 hours.
I would pour the entire bottle of TSS into the tank and add an ammonia source. Have your testing kit handy, you'll need it a lot.
After the ammonia is quickly processed, that's when I start to add more ammonia than I was before to give it even more strength.
I tested it yestday and it seemed fine so I think I will move them in three days.
No they are in another tank at the moment will moving them on Friday be fine?You are doing a fish-in cycle?
No they are in another tank at the moment will moving them on Friday be fine?
You won't be cycled that quickly.
I'd give it at least two weeks.
I have used some water from an established tank as well as new water.
You aren't going to become cycled with water, that's not where the bacteria colonize.
I know you seem to enjoy correcting me and I accept it when I am not correct. Did I misunderstand the size of the tank? I was thinking 55 gallon but if it is in fact a 55 liter then you are correct.Actually, I disagree. If a 6 gallon tank bacteria could handle say 1ppm/day ammonia from the fish, a 12g tank would only be .5ppm/day with the same fish. The same bacteria should be able to handle it immediately...
I will try one time and one time only since it seems you trust your friend the fish expert. I am just wondering why you are asking us since you clearly have decided to follow his advice.
You can help jump start this tank by taking everything from your 6 gallon and put it in this tank. If your small tank was in fact cycled it will have some of the bacteria necessary to cycle a tank. I would be surprised if there is enough to accomplish an instant cycle in your new 55.
You need to move ALL of the filter media. All of the gravel and deco, all of the water and the fish. In other words .... move everything over and even then I don't think there could be enough bacteria to get an instant cycle. You don't need to float the media in the new tank. You need to put it in your filter housing so the water will run through it.
It will still take time to grow enough bacteria to consider this tank cycled. I am not sure you totally understand what it means to cycle a tank. Simply put it just means allowing a tank enough time to grow the bacteria necessary to process the ammonia fish add to the water.
There is hardly any beneficial bacteria in the water column. And the tiny bit that is will die off with no ammonia source. So if you wait to add the fish it accomplishes nothing.
It really accomplishes nothing anyway since there's barely any a beneficial bacteria in the water column itself.
Even if you use the old filter on the new tank it will accomplish nothing if you leave it empty for a week. All that beneficial bacteria just dies
So should I move the fish in a few days?
The beneficial bacteria will be dead. Especially since you are not even using a source that has much beneficial bacteria. I am surprised that this supposed expert friend of yours would not be aware of the fact that using BB from an established tank accomplishes nothing if there are no fish put into it immediately. By waiting to add the fish, you are essentially UN-cycling the tank!
Throwing BB into a tank that has no fish and just waiting is NOT CYCLING THE TANK. Using water from an established tank does next to nothing to cycle the tank even if there are fish in it.
You should use media from the filter of an established tank if you want enough BB to actually help kick start a cycle. But again, fish are needed for this process to work. Not a few days later, but that very day.
You said you tested the water and it was fine. What were the readings?
Actually, I disagree. If a 6 gallon tank bacteria could handle say 1ppm/day ammonia from the fish, a 12g tank would only be .5ppm/day with the same fish. The same bacteria should be able to handle it immediately...
So I should add them now,are you sure,will they get hurt.
I don't think your tank is cycled.... I am trying to explain to you why what you did is NOT making it safe for the fish. So most likely you should not move them.
BUT....What is the ammonia, nitrites and nitrates of the tank? I need to know those before telling you if I think it is ok or not. How long has it been running fishless??
What kind of filter are you using and what kind of filter is on your established tank?
It has been running fish less for two days and I can not quite remember the results but they were all good.
You likely have no bb left if all you used was water from your other tank.
What do you use to test your water? And have you even tested it for the last 2 days?
I tested about an hour ago.
I tested about an hour ago.
And I use tetra 6 in 1 strips.
bizaliz3 is steering you straight. The only thing that will tell you if the tank is safe is to run tests. You should really do some reading on the nitro cycle as like Biz said, a cycle will not survive without an ammonia source, i.e. fish. It's important to know your numbers, otherwise, you're assuming and hoping things will be fine, while in this case, it is very, very unlikely that the new tank is safe.
You have not added beneficial bacteria with the used water, as bb lives in a filter. You should not move fish into this tank until you are certain you are cycled. The only thing that will tell you that is accurate testing. I suggest you pick up the API Master Kit as it is much more reliable than strips.
THOSE DONE EVEN TEST FOR AMMONIA!!!
And they are also notoriously inaccurate.
But test it again, what does it say your nitrates are? (since you already forgot)
Floated it in what water? The new tank or old tank?Okay so how should I add BB,I have floated my filter media in the water,but can not put it in the filter as it is being used by the other tank.
Floated it in what water? The new tank or old tank?
Are you saying your new tanks doesn't even have a filter???
Yes my new tank does have a filter, as I said I can’t out my astablished filter media in my new filter as it is being used for my other fish tank.
I am really sorry, but in my opinion everything I say you are telling me I am doing wrong I would like an accurate opinion.
Floated it in what water? The new tank or old tank?
Are you saying your new tanks doesn't even have a filter???
Which is why I keep asking you what kind of filters you are using. But for some reason you aren't answering that.
You don't think what I am telling you is accurate?
Ok fine then. I will back off. But I assure you I am giving you very accurate advice. Take it or leave it.
I won't answer any more questions or offer any more advice if you don't want it.
I really am sorry too... I mean that, but you do not seem to have a good understanding of the nitro cycle and how it works in the tank. Indeed, you are not doing things correctly, people are trying to help, yet you seem to disagree with the advice given. This becomes frustrating to people who are only trying to answer your questions. Please click on the following link... nitrogen cycle , then read the fishless cycle article linked above. I have used that method to cycle 7 tanks in the last year and have never had a problem with the cycles.I am really sorry, but in my opinion everything I say you are telling me I am doing wrong I would like an accurate opinion.
IMO, you need to look at this like you're at day 1 and should do a fishless cycle. Here are some great instructions for that.
Ammonia Instructions when Cycling with TSS+ or other Bacterial Starter
I really am sorry too... I mean that, but you do not seem to have a good understanding of the nitro cycle and how it works in the tank. Indeed, you are not doing things correctly, people are trying to help, yet you seem to disagree with the advice given. This becomes frustrating to people who are only trying to answer your questions. Please click on the following link... nitrogen cycle , then read the fishless cycle article linked above. I have used that method to cycle 7 tanks in the last year and have never had a problem with the cycles.
I do want your advice and you have not asked once what filter I am using I am using a internal filter.
I except you opinion however I read all theys things and everything that I am doing it says to do it on the forums and the other thing the lady and the pet store said I could add them in 3 days time I decided to leave it a week instead. I am asking you how to get benificial bacteria without any chemicals.
yes I did. See post #22 AND post #17 (are you even reading my whole posts)
Floating media in the water doesn't accomplish much at all. There is no water flowing through it, therefor its just stagnantly sitting there. (And the BB is dying off due to lack of ammonia source anyway) You want to actually put the seeded media into the new filter for it to accomplish anything. This is why a lot of people keep extra media in their established filters so they can use it to jump start a new tank without taking it all away from the established tank. But again, it needs to be placed into the new filter. Not floating in the water. And the fish need to be added immediately
But I will back off now. I have already spent a lot of time trying to help (and I am supposed to be working) and I am afraid it may have been a waste of my time :-(
Ok....this post just proves that I have COMPLETELY wasted my time. I am done now. Good luck with everything. Hopefully you have hardy fish that will be able to tolerate a fish-in cycle. You killed off whatever BB you had by letting the tank sit empty. (not that you had much anyway)
Just trying to learn, nothing personal.I know you seem to enjoy correcting me and I accept it when I am not correct. Did I misunderstand the size of the tank? I was thinking 55 gallon but if it is in fact a 55 liter then you are correct.
So if I put the media in I can add them now?
If you can somehow attach it to the new filter where the water flows I think so.So if I put the media in I can add them now?
P.s. I'm assuming you are moving ALL the fish over...
OK... First of all, do not trust pet store employees. Not that they're all bad, but few are really experienced and their ultimate goal is to make a sale.I except you opinion however I read all theys things and everything that I am doing it says to do it on the forums and the other thing the lady and the pet store said I could add them in 3 days time I decided to leave it a week instead. I am asking you how to get benificial bacteria without any chemicals.