#fishless cycling

[ainawgsd]

Cycling my tank using ammonium chloride in hopes of adding new fish at the end of the month. Day 3 and already the ammonium levels are dropping (I was hoping some of the biological filter survived in the gravel after the tank failure)!

[verved]

I was gonna get upset about all the fanart I see of Connor having a pet gourami in a shitty fish bowl but instead I'll think about him setting up a tank properly so I don't get mad.

He'd do a fishless cycle and check the nitrates, ammonia, and pH levels with his analyzing software every day like clockwork. If Hank's around to see it he'd be disgusted at Connor drinking fish water (but this is truly a rite of passage for every aquarist).

He'd spend weeks setting up a tank with a stable microbiome before he purchases that first fish, and yes I think it's fitting that he would go with a dwarf gourami. Once fish enter the picture, he'd be on top of those water changes with more precision than any human would be capable of. Only the highest quality pellets and live food for the inhabitants. Perhaps he'd sample them himself to make sure the packaging advertises the ratio of nutrients accurately.

If the first act he takes that leads to software instability is to save the life of a fish, and as a deviant he decides to be sentimental about it and take to fishkeeping, he would treat those fish with the utmost care. He isn't flippant about things like this; he would be purposeful in taking this up as a hobby. He'd research it thoroughly and lean into the nurturing aspect of it. Hands designed to kill instead carefully pruning back aquatic plants and rearranging hides for the more skittish fish to take refuge in. Hands that have taken lives instead now working to ensure these small ones are as well-lived as they can be.

[illegalpaladin]

In honor of me starting my fishless cycle, please look at the little Enterprise I got for my fish tank. I'm hoping once all the plants grow out it'll look like she crashed on a lush underwater planet.

[glassboxdiaries]

How To Setup A Thriving Planted Tank Using Aquasoil! (Beginner-Friendly)

Full setup guide for the aquarium - https://glassboxdiaries.com/planted-aquarium-setup/

🌊🐠 Want to create a stunning underwater world in your home?

Dive into this step-by-step guide to setting up a beautiful planted aquarium with ease!

🏠 Start by selecting the right tank size.

For beginners, a 12 US gallon (45L) aquarium is perfect, providing ample space for a small school of hardy White Cloud Mountain Minnows.

🛠️ Enhance your tank’s aesthetics with privacy film. It’s a cost-effective way to create a beautiful background without breaking the bank.

Here’s how:

Spray water on the glass Apply the film Smooth out bubbles Trim excess

🌿 Choose the right substrate!

Fluval Stratum is an excellent choice for low-tech aquariums, supporting healthy plant growth and providing a stable environment for your aquatic ecosystem.

🪵 Prepare your hardscape by adding driftwood and rocks.

I used a single piece of spiderwood with Seiryu Stone to keep it anchored, creating a natural look for your tank.

🌡️ This setup is a room temperature tank, eliminating the need for a heater and saving on electricity costs. Perfect for rooms that stay between 18°C (64°F) and 25°C (77°F).

🌱 Plant selection matters!

I included a mix of Anubias, Java Ferns, Bucephalandra, and Helanthium Tenellum Green to create a lush, vibrant environment.

Each plant serves a unique purpose in your tank.

💡 Proper lighting is key!

I chose the Hygger HG076 for its affordability and efficiency, setting a custom six-hour lighting schedule to promote plant growth and minimize algae.

🌊 Filtration is vital for maintaining water quality in this type of tank.

A hang-on back filter with customized media (30ppi foam/filter floss) ensures ample biological and mechanical filtration, keeping your tank clean and healthy.

🧪 Don’t forget water treatment!

Using a tap water conditioner removes chlorine and chloramines, safeguarding your beneficial bacteria and ensuring a safe environment for your aquatic life.

🔄 Cycling your tank is essential for a healthy environment.

I used a fishless method with Dr. Tim’s Ammonia Solution to establish beneficial bacteria without risking your fish.

🦐 Once cycled, add some algae eaters to maintain a clean tank.

Ramshorn snails and Amano shrimp are excellent choices that help keep algae in check and contribute to a balanced ecosystem.

🐟 Selecting the right fish is crucial.

I chose White Cloud Mountain Minnows for their hardiness and social nature.

Keep at least six to ensure they thrive in a spacious environment.

🪴 Regular maintenance keeps your tank thriving.

I perform weekly duckweed removal, water top-offs, and minimal water changes thanks to efficient filtration and live plants.

🌟 The result?

A thriving aquatic ecosystem with healthy plants, active fish, and efficient algae control.

Even better, the inhabitants are breeding, adding more life to your beautiful tank!

Ready to build your own aquatic paradise? 🐠🌿

Check out the full guide with detailed steps and tips on setting up a stunning planted aquarium! 👉 https://glassboxdiaries.com/planted-aquarium-setup/

[shrimpcakes]

Fishless cycling

I'm being told so many different things about nitrites during fishless cycling. So many are saying not to do water changes and so many more are saying not let nitrites max the test, not to go above 2ppm, etc.

These were my parameters yesterday after doing a 50% water change per advice on a forum. I'm pretty sure my nitrites maxed the test out. I don't know if I should dose ammonia and wait or if I should do a water change to bring nitrites down and then dose ammonia? Or if I should let it sit with no changes tonight? Gahhhh frustrated

[bettagetkraken]

Switched the heater and filter/pump around, so I still have some movement but not the endless whirlwind effect that flattened the back curtain. Also looks better from the front now!

With how much they’ve grown so far I’m curious to see if they’ll be nearing the surface by fish day.

Shuffled the roots a bit, now have two fish-sized tunnels/hides.

Nitrites dropped from 5ppm to 0 overnight.

13 days ‘til fish day!

[komodo-the-betta-dragon]

Cycling my tank

I got my first ever fish tank set-up a few days ago and I’m going to be blogging about my cycling journey until my tiny baby water dog arrives

I noticed there’s a lot of information out there about the nitrogen cycle and fishless cycling but I thought people might be interested in a step-by-step process because I feel that cycling a tank is a daunting process for a lot of people (myself included!). So hopefully I can show that it’s really not all that difficult, you just have to be prepared to take the time to do it and do it well

All my posts will be tagged #cycle journey so you can take a look and see what I am doing :)

Disclaimer: I am by no means an authority on the subject and this is my first ever fish tank so don’t take my word as gospel and if I am doing anything questionable or you have any pointers or advice to give I will be glad to listen! The reason I am doing this as a beginner is so others can see that you don’t need to be an expert to cycle a tank and it really isn’t that difficult to do it. Hopefully I can give people a little more confidence to take the first step :)

[addie-bella]

The apartment took the no aquariums rule out of the lease! So I immediately bought the things needed to start a fishless cycle.

I’m so excited!

I’m gunna deck out this lil 10g and make it super pretty but low tech.

[ainawgsd]

Gonna have to call the pet store. Did not get any fish yesterday, partly because they didn't have any otocinclus in stock. But also because when they tested my water sample the ammonia was 75 (75ppm? Idk).

One of us is wrong

[aquacultural]

I’m gonna rip my hair out cycling this stupid fucking dumbass useless tank

[aquacalypse]

Operation: Puffer Fish

Picked up a Fluval Flex 15 Gallon yesterday after deciding I want to keep Pea Puffers.

I assembled and scaped the tank today.

I'm going to fishless cycle for 2 weeks and check the levels. (I've seeded the tank with some media from a well established tank of mine, so it shouldn't take long to cycle)

[yourstoxically]

I put a piece of mopani driftwood in my tank and it's definitely still leeching tannins

Tbh I don't mind the look of tannin stained water and I have nothing in there (other than growing bacteria hopefully) but I don't know if I should take it out?

I used a bunch of prime in my tank but I boiled the wood for 2-3 hours and forgot to let it soak in dechlorinated water afterward, but I figured adding prime would make that ok?

Will it prevent my tank from cycling? It's been about 5 days now and when I tested it yesterday, it was still around 2-4ppm for ammonia. I also have some dragon stone in there. I can update this post when I'm off work with the rest of my parameters if that is relevant knowledge

Also, is it possible to over dose on prime?

[glassboxdiaries]

How To Setup A Thriving Planted Tank Using Aquasoil! (Beginner-Friendly)

🐟🌿 Ready to get started? Check out my blog post for an in-depth tutorial backed up by peer-reviewed research to create a thriving planted aquarium for your White Clouds - https://glassboxdiaries.com/planted-aquarium-setup/

How To Setup A Thriving Planted Tank For White Cloud Mountain Minnow! (Beginner-Friendly)

Welcome to my favorite aquarium in the fish room! In this video, I showcase my 12-gallon (45L) Gold White Cloud Mountain Minnow tank, now thriving at 105 days old. Maintained at room temperature (18°C/64°F) during December, this tank features a lush, jungle-like aquascape that’s both beautiful and easy to set up.

Tank Setup I enhanced the tank’s appearance by applying affordable window privacy film from Amazon to the back glass, creating a clean background without breaking the bank. The hardscape includes spiderwood with Anubias coin leaf and Anubias petite, providing a versatile foundation. I used Fluval Stratum as the substrate, pouring an 8kg bag to form a 2-inch layer that supports healthy plant growth and beneficial bacteria. Additional Seryu stones were added, and so far, the pH and TDS levels remain stable.

Planting Process Planting involved mounting Anubias Caladifolia, Narrow Leaf Java Ferns, Bucephalandra kedegang, and Anubias Nana Petite to driftwood and rocks using Moss Scapers glue. Helanthium Tenellum Green carpets the foreground, offering excellent cover for minnows’ eggs. Hygrophila Corymbosa Siamensis 53B and Limnophila Sessiliflora were added for a vibrant center and natural water purification. The tank was filled with water carefully to protect the plants, resulting in a stunning aquascape.

Tank Accessories I selected the Hygger HG076 lighting system for balanced brightness and cost-effectiveness. Filtration is managed by a customized All Ponds hang-on-back filter, using 30 PPI foam and filter floss to maximize beneficial bacteria. A surface skimmer helps keep the water clear, and tap water is conditioned to remove chlorine and chloramines, ensuring a safe environment for the tank’s inhabitants.

Cycling the Tank Using a fishless cycle with Dr. Tim’s Ammonia Solution, I established a stable nitrogen cycle. Algae growth was managed by introducing pink Ramshorn snails and Amano shrimp, which effectively controlled algae while maintaining water quality. After four weeks, the cycle was complete, and water parameters were stable, allowing for healthy plant and fish growth.

Adding Algae Eaters & Fish I introduced Amano and Neocaridina shrimp to naturally manage different types of algae. At the end of week four, eight White Cloud Mountain Minnows from Horizon Aquatics were added. Despite initial stress, the fish quickly acclimated, and three tiny fry are now thriving thanks to strategic plant placement and minimal predation.

Current Status & Maintenance Today, the tank is algae-free, with regrown Anubias plants and stable water parameters. I replaced Limnophila Sessiliflora with Dwarf Sag and added duckweed and water lettuce to maintain water quality. The Helanthium Tenellum Green is spreading, and future plans include adding Skuds, water lice, and water fleas. Maintenance is minimal, involving weekly duckweed removal and occasional water top-offs, thanks to effective natural filtration and plant support.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Intro 00:26 - Tank Prep 00:50 - Hardscape 01:03 - Substrate 01:56 - Planting The Tank 04:24 - Aquarium Accessories 05:37 - Cycling The Tank 06:06 - Week 1 06:14 - Week 2 07:00 - Week 3 07:39 - Day 26 09:30 - Fishless And Plantedless Cycle 09:48 - Week 5 10:27 - The Tank Today (Day 107)

Some of the links in this video description may be affiliate links meaning I earn a small commission from any purchases made.

[doebt]

I have made the executive decision to get a fish on monday even if the tank isnt totally cycled #badhusbandry

[tr1ck5]

Halp!! D:

Hello fishblr! I’m hoping to get some much needed advice on this fine night! I’ve started cycling my 55 gal on the 9th of Feb (using a dead shrimp at first but switching to pure ammonia after 2 days because UGH SMELL (+ it’s easier to control the ammonia readings)) ANYWAYS all was going smoothly and on the 24th of Feb my nitrItes were at 2/5 (colors are hard)ppm and my nitrAtes at 0.5ppm. Yes! The cycle is, well, cycling! Except that it’s been like this since then. My ammonia gets down to 0.25/0.50ppm, I add ammonia (to 4ppm), next day its disappeared, I add, and so on and so forth, with no change whatsoever to my nitrItes and nitrAtes. I tested my ph yesterday (the 8th of Mars) and got 6.4/6.6. Thinking it might be too low for the beneficial bacteria to grow, I did a 50% water change, which brought it back up to 7. I use Seachem prime as a dechlorinator (might seem counterproductive but I read this doesn’t affect the cycling process?) I’m really at a loss here! Am I being too impatient? Is there something I’m missing? :( Thank you so much for your time!!

[bettagetkraken]

Ammonia breaks down as fast as I’m adding it.

Nitrate seems to be rising faster than nitrite? But my test only measures to 10ppm nitrite, so it’s possible it’s just spiking.