Cycling Help

[brewerfan]

Ok, I am VERY new to this and am yet to make a purchase of any kind. I am interested in GSPs and am trying to understand as best I can what I am getting myself into before I just start tossing fish into tanks and seeing what comes of it. I just read the 'New Tank Syndrome' article in the library and am left a little puzzled. I understand that a tank needs cycling, which stabilizes the tanks various nitrite, nitrate, and ammonia levels, but what I don't understand is how to start growing bacteria if I am planing a fish only tank and have no decor or filters or anything from an existing tank, anything I will be getting is new. I also am not sure that I am not over-thinking some of this, but everything I've been reading certainly seems to stress this process, and I would like to avoid accidentally killing anything. All this seems a bit overwhelming currently, not that it has discouraged me, I am just glad I didn't impulse buy. Any help would be great. Thanks.

[Pufferpunk]

It's a great thing you are doing your research before buying your puffer! Continue reading all the articles in the Library on cycling. Lots of great info there.

[bigfatfish]

The bacteria just start up on their own - you just need an ammonia source to feed them. Its useful to get filter media etc from an established tank, but not essential. The process will just be a little slower. (Took my tank nearly 4 weeks).

[Pufferpunk]

You actually need to "seed" starter bacteria from an established tank, whether it be from filter media or a handful of gravel.

[bigfatfish]

You actually need to "seed" starter bacteria from an established tank, whether it be from filter media or a handful of gravel.

I didn't do that - I didn't have any "fishy" friends when I started out!

[RTR]

If you can find a source for pure ammonia (no surfactants or fragrances) and "Dr.Tim's One and Only" and a good test kit with liquid reagents for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. You will be fine.

Do as PP suggests - read all of the articles in the library which apply.

[Pufferpunk]

Yes, Dr Tim's will do quite well at seeding the bacteria you need to cycle a SW tank. You can use Tetra's Safestart to seed FW.

[brewerfan]

Awesome! Thanks for the promptness!!

So, once seeded, will rock added to the tank become 'live' or is 'live rock' only something that can be bought? I know this most likely sounds silly, but like I said 'VERY new'... I wish I could just try to start a fishless cycle, but I am potentially moving in a few months, and am thinking it best to wait it out till after the move. The anticipation is killing me.

[J-P]

*koff koff* My first time doing a fishless cycle too a LONG time.. started from nothing

[bigfatfish]

Same here - we don't have Dr Tims over here. The products we have here are rubbish - Cycle, to name one!

[Pufferpunk]

Since this isn't really about BW puffers, per se, I'm moving it to Gen Disc forum.

The term "live rock" Is generally used for the rock used in SW tanks, which is not only full of the good nitrifying bacteria to support SW inhabitants but also all the living creatures--pods, worms, etc--that come with it, from the ocean.

[Srkoe]

Don't forget that most places sell gsp's as freshwater. If you know where you will be buying from find out what kind of water he is in. If he is in fresh you can start him in fresh at home and slowly bring up the salinity .002 per week until desired salinity is reached. If he is in saltwater at the store you can ask the store what their salinity is at and try to match it. The last option is if he is in fresh and you want him to go straight to a saltwater tank at home you can drip acclimate him over many hours to get him adjusted to the salt content in your tank.

[RTR]

When in doubt, always ask. The only dumb questions are those not asked.

Most folk's first fishless cycle is slow to painfully slow. Mine was just over 4 weeks, which made the developer laugh ay me. My second and subsequent trials were ~2 1/4 to 2 1/2 weeks. Everything has a learning curve.

[brewerfan]

It doesn't help much that I am pretty certain I will be moving. I don't want to start here, then have to move in 2 or 3 months. I've read the article about moving tanks, but being a beginner, there is no way I'm going to try that. I'm anticipating enough trials once I'm able to start up, and don't need to compound my potential problems. It all makes the waiting game so much worse. So for now, I'm waiting to start waiting and just trying to amass as much info as possible. I'm thinking it will be anywhere from 3-6 months before I will be moved and ready to start cycling. Frustrating.

[Pufferpunk]

Plenty of time to educate yourself here!