Question on an old favourite - Cycling

[bigfatfish]

I have been let down by the person that was going to give me some of their BW filter media to fishless cycle my tank - unfortunately they have an outbreak of whitespot, so for obvious reasons I cannot use it!

What do I use instead? Where will the bacteria come from if I have none to start the colony?

I tracked down some ammonia, but is there any point using it if there is nothing to eat it up?

Help!!

[mrgreen]

If your lfs will let you and you TRUST them-, you can ask for a bit of used filter media. (Mine charged me $2.) Or, you can buy Tetra Safestart. I don't know if its available in the UK, though.

[bigfatfish]

Don't think I have seen the Tetra Safestart, but will do a quick internet search!

[bigfatfish]

Well, its available on ebay. Would it be better to add this & the fish at the same time, or use the bacteria from the safestart to cycle the tank with the ammonia?

[LilGreenPuffer]

I would do the latter, since several people have reported problems with SafeStart not having enough bacteria.

[bigfatfish]

I would do the latter, since several people have reported problems with SafeStart not having enough bacteria.

Think I would feel happier doing it that way - even though I am desperate to get some inhabitants!

[bigfatfish]

Another question! Do I get the normal one or the Marine one for a BW tank?

[LilGreenPuffer]

What's your SG? If it's above 1.010, then use Bio-Spira. If it's below, use SafeStart.

[bigfatfish]

What's your SG? If it's above 1.010, then use Bio-Spira. If it's below, use SafeStart.

SG is currently at 1.010 (to match the fish shop when I get the GSP). Bio-spira is not available over here.

[bigfatfish]

Well, my tank is cycling, its day 17 & when I test the ammonia has gone from 5 down to 0 (still adding smaller dose of ammonia liquid on a daily basis). The nitrites are still high (very pretty purple!) & have been for the last 4 days. I realise things would be different from tank to tank, but any suggestions as to how long it should be before the nitrites start dropping? I have been patient, but am getting impatient! I have seen some really nice GSPs & I just know that when I go to get them they will be gone! Of course, if I have to wait longer I will do, I wouldn't dream of adding them too soon.
Just wondered if there was any time scale or anything else I can do to speed the process (I have increased oxygen & temp already).

[LilGreenPuffer]

My nitrites took forever. Then I did a water change and they went away... *whistles casually* I checked water parameters for a few more days, and then I got fishies.

[bigfatfish]

Thanks LilGreenPuffer, always a comfort to know that someone else has been there, done that!

[Pufferpunk]

still adding smaller dose of ammonia liquid on a daily basis

How much? You're supposed to 1/2 whatever the amount it took to get it to 5ppm in the beginning, after nitrite shows.

What did you finally get to seed the tank?

[bigfatfish]

Yeah, halved it. It gets converted to nitrite pretty quick now! Just wish the bacteria that use the nitrite would kick in! I had to use Safestart in the end - directly into the filter.

[Pufferpunk]

Hmmm... just goes to show that maybe there isn't enough bacteria in Safestart to "instant" cycle a tank.