Creatures for cycling

[jigga619]

What kind of creatures are good for cycling a tank? I already have 2 damsels in my tank.

 

[azeritis]

Once the cycle starts you canno add anything else. The fish that you used to kick off the cycle, gradually adjust to the rising levels of ammonia, nitrite, etc. Whereas if you introduce a fish with toxic levels of ammonia, it will most probably die.
Be patient, you are on your way....
Ps remember that once the tank has cycled, add fish slowly and wait for it to adjust before introducing other fish.
Good luck

 

[beth]

IMO it is unnecessary to use fish to cycle a tank. A bit of sand from an established tank and some chopped up shrimp would jumpstart a cycle wo the sacrifice of animals.

 

[hhands361]

I think using fish, like damsels, is the fastest way because damsels are very inexpensive and easy to care for.

 

[gatorcsm]

I think Beth is more reffering to the ethicality... Not speed.

 

[pmauro]

I agree with Beth why put the animals through that, ask the LFS for a hand full of substrate, or use the agra live products avail with shrimp. anything is better than using live animals

 

[buzz]

I have tried both methods...Took the fish route before ever hearing of the shrimp method. Then used raw shrimp on the next tank.
I will never use live fish to cycle a tank again. Honestly, I think the raw shrimp method works better than live fish. It creates a higher ammonia spike, and does it quicker.
Think about it. With a live fish, you are only introducing ammonia through their waste. That is gradual, unless you have a tang or something, that releases waste the size of an Elephant! (heh heh)
With a raw shrimp, it is the decomposition of the body that introduces ammonia.
IMO, that's the way to go.