fishless cycling question

[anafranil]

Here is one more question non related to planted tanks but I find this forum especially useful in answering all sorts of parameter related questions so here it is.I have been using ammonia for several years to do fishless cycling in tanks with no plants and it takes from 4-8 weeks for the tank to cycle.for those who did this before is there a compound containing nitrites that can be used from the beginning along with ammonia to save the time needed for ammonia to turn to nitrites?

[bradac56]

Originally Posted by anafranil

Here is one more question non related to planted tanks but I find this forum especially useful in answering all sorts of parameter related questions so here it is.I have been using ammonia for several years to do fishless cycling in tanks with no plants and it takes from 4-8 weeks for the tank to cycle.for those who did this before is there a compound containing nitrites that can be used from the beginning along with ammonia to save the time needed for ammonia to turn to nitrites?

Why would you not plant the tank first? I do fishless water cycles as well but I heavily plant the tank and it doesn't take half as long to fully cycle.

Not only does it feed the plants but the plants cycle the water.

- Brad

[anafranil]

I am interested in non planted tanks like a malawi lake setup,planted tanks are a different subject

[Wasserpest]

I think there are different bacteria that convert NH4 to NO2 and then NO2 to NO3. If you skip the NH4 step, these bacteria will not develop, and the tank won't be cycled.

I guess. With planted tanks we don't have these issues.

[anafranil]

I understand what you say but I mean adding both NH3 and NO2 from the beginning and start cultivating both bacteria types instead of waiting for NH3 to be oxidised to NO2 to start cultivating the NO2 oxidising bacteria(nitrobacter,nitrospira or whatever)In my expierience this could save you up to 3 weeks.Again I am not talking about tanks with plants

[NicoleRC]

I'm definitely no expert but it makes sense to me.

[rbarn]

Using ADA Aqua Soil and SeaChem filter starter treatment I had
my tank up and cycled ready for fish in little over 2 weeks.


SeaChem bio-start treatment seemed to work well.
Gives filter big shot of the bacteria you want to start growing.

[anafranil]

Originally Posted by rbarn

Using ADA Aqua Soil and SeaChem filter starter treatment I had
my tank up and cycled ready for fish in little over 2 weeks.


SeaChem bio-start treatment seemed to work well.
Gives filter big shot of the bacteria you want to start growing.

Have you expierienced peaks of both substances one after the other and then fall back to zero again or you just assume that the cycle completed cause you haven't seen fish gasping on the surface?I have started several threads in the past involving live bacteria in bottles and I've seen the hesitation of many members on these products.I have tried a few my self and monitored NH3 and NO2 and realised that it took the same time (4-8weeks)that it takes under normal circumstances.My only explanation for the presence of these products in the market is that the demand for instant cycling is so great that manufacturers are almost forced to invent such products.

[f1ea]

Originally Posted by anafranil

I am interested in non planted tanks like a malawi lake setup,planted tanks are a different subject

To add a few cents:
I have a planted Mbuna tank. It has anubias and the fish don't mess with the plants, the dominant male sometimes bites the roots to make some space for his mating purposes, but not to eat them, and it hasn't been much damaging.

I actually learned on this forum that Anubias are a safe bet w/ vegetarian cichlids. So i went for it... the tank looks MUCH better now and the fish really like the additional hiding places. Have a look:

[anafranil]

anyone?

[kid creole]

Originally Posted by anafranil

is there a compound containing nitrites that can be used from the beginning along with ammonia to save the time needed for ammonia to turn to nitrites?

Not that I am aware of, and I have been a fan of reading fish related forums for almost 10 years now.

Edit: BTW, cycling, to me, is only an issue with aggressive species where you need to stock the tank fully at once. By adding fish regularly and gradually, I have never lost a significant number of fish due to cycling.

[mistergreen]

i don't see the logic in it but
you have sodium nitrite and potassium nitrite
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_nitrite
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium_nitrite

fish produce NH3, you need to develop those bacteria (NH3->NO2)
I think I see what you're doing.

[anafranil]

that simplethanks..