Cycling with a fish

[colsoscar120]

Hi guys gettin inpatient now with my fish less cycle . Is there any fish out there that can be used in a cycle a really hardy one?

 

[zgetman]

I replied to your question on another thread.

 

[143MPCo]

Have you used any bottled cycle starter additives?

 

[colsoscar120]

No nothing like that can u suggest any

 

[gsjustin]

No nothing like that can u suggest any

Bio spira by instant ocean is a good one but nothing beats dr.tims cycle formula

 

[colsoscar120]

Lfs have that?

 

[143MPCo]

No nothing like that can u suggest any

You have more choices now a days but, these are just a few.
Instant Ocean BIO-Spira
Microbacter7
Dr Tim's One and Only
Prodibio

 

[Shep]

You have more choices now a days but, these are just a few.
Instant Ocean BIO-Spira
Microbacter7
Dr Tim's One and Only
Prodibio

So what is the collective opinion on those? are they a viable option or is normal cycling the best?

 

[gsjustin]

Lfs have that?

Lfs should have bio spira, I don't know what else your Lfs carries for cycle starters though.

 

[143MPCo]

So what is the collective opinion on those? are they a viable option or is normal cycling the best?

IMHO... They all work to help the cycle along... MB7 and Prodibio are on top of my list followed by Dr Tim's and lastly Spira... what is "normal" I have seen both pros and cons of using a normal process to cycle a tank and nine times out of ten the cons are more related to users (hobbiest) be impatient more than anything else.

 

[madtownguy]

Lfs have that?

Have you tested your water? Salinity and heat also are staying the same? Damsel and clown fish are usually ok to put in before things cycle, but it really depends on so many things. Your tank size is another factor. I'm assuming you just have water in a tank, no live rock or live sand.

 

[Shep]

Also remember that sometimes the fish that survive the cycle (such as damsels) do not make the best community fish and can cause all kinds of problems later on.

 

[aqualov3r]

I used a couple pieces of krill from my other frozen food and let it float in a net in the tank and it was cycled and good to go in about 2 weeks

 

[moulton1853]

I used Bio Spira a week ago and it didn't work. I understand the frustration of waiting and not knowing if the tank is really doing what it is suppose to. I'm a newbee and trying to learn to wait.

 

[colsoscar120]

Problems as in aggression

 

[colsoscar120]

I have live sand and live rock the readings ain't to bad my tank is 450 litres

 

[Russ265]

I used Bio Spira a week ago and it didn't work. I understand the frustration of waiting and not knowing if the tank is really doing what it is suppose to. I'm a newbee and trying to learn to wait.

biospira is hit or miss for me as well. i think it has to do with expiration date or shelf life.

i just use dr tims and order 2nd day air or overnight it so i know it is fresh and it hasnt failed me yet.

mb7 i never had work. ive seen a lot state it does. i just havent seen it personally.

 

[3dees]

the first thing we teach in this hobby is patience, so I would say your off to a bad start. just add a deli shrimp or pure ammonia and wait it out. it's the best and safest way to cycle the tank. many tanks have been ruined by rushing things. cycling with fish is old school and even a damsel doesn't deserve to be treated like that. if you must have a fast cycle, add enough live rock.

 

[Adam Baggett]

I used DrTim's Aquatics One & Only Live Nitrifying Bacteria for Cycling Aquaria but I did not use a fish I used a raw shrimp. I got a funny look from the guy when I asked for my 1 shrimp. LOL

 

[3dees]

yeah, I get those looks when I ask for a couple of shrimp, 1 squid, I octopus, etc. for making my own fish food.