Getting a tank, and cycling it.

[Michael[91]]

So i'm new to this forum, and in the past week ive been planning on getting a tank and after cycling it, i was planning on buying a F8 and maybe a molly. I was actually planning to go to the store tomorrow and pick up a 20G deluxe kit by aqueon and after spending countless hours online reading about fish and the nitrogen cycle i still have some questions. I've heard tons of stories on how people cycle their tank, the library article on this site says to do it naturally, while others have suggested using tetra safestar, bio-spira, and Dr.Tims. I went to my LFS and they actually have Bio-Spira in stock(yes, in a fridge). And so I'm wondering which method of cycling would be the fastest, such as what product to use, etc.

my second question would be... The tank im getting has a hang on filter, and since the tank is going to be in my bedroom i was wondering if theirs a different approach to filtering a tank because from what i've heard/seen, the filters are constantly pouring water and im worried about going insane when trying to fall asleep.
So i was wondering maybe i can get an under gravel filter, and an air pump and use that instead of the other filter. thanks.

[Pufferpunk]

I actually find the "babbling brook" sound of my many tanks, soothing. If you fill the tank to the rim, it sould be quiter. Otherwise, get an internal filter or a canister. If you have the time & patience, the very best way to cycle IMO, is fishless with ammonia. But you asked about the quickest--that would be with the Bio-Spira. There is always a chance the product has spent some time out of the fridge though. I have a friend who was at a wholesale supplier & saw many, many boxes of B-S sitting out in their 100 degree warehouse.

[LilGreenPuffer]

Undergravels aren't so great. They really just put waste where you can't see it and can't get it out. Other filters can be cleaned, but to clean an undergravel, you have to break down the tank.

Bio-Spira doesn't work until you're at a SG of at least 1.010.

I think that this is what you should do: Your store probably keeps F8s in freshwater. A few more weeks won't hurt them. Cycle the tank with SafeStart or with ammonia, as in the article. Then add the puffers, and after a week or so, when you're sure parameters are stable, start raising the salinity by .002 per week.

You can use Tetra SafeStart in slightly brackish water, but I wouldn't do it myself. I would be worried about killing the bacteria, especially since the people who've used it lately seem to get mini-cycles, even when salt isn't involved.

[LilGreenPuffer]

P.S. I can't fall asleep without the sound of my filters and air pump.

[Dadof4]

I have a HOB filter on the 29 gallon that is right by my head when I sleep and I love it! Like PP says, keep the tank well topped off and the sound isn't really noticeable, just an occasional quiet running stream sound.

[pufferpuggirl]

Since we have tanks all over the house, there isn't a room in the house where you don't hear the "babbling brook" sound. At night, when it's quiet, it's quite funny sometimes hearing all the water noise. Thankfully it isn't something that bothers me.