Cycling your tank with Fish.

[newtofish1994]

I want to cycle my tank with at least one fish, it's only a ten gallon, I have a 40 gallon on the way so this tank won't be a long term home to any decent sized fish.

I just got the live rock now fully cured to my door, and I wanted a name of a strong fish
I have heard damzels are good but at the same time hard to get out of the tank which I personally dont care to experience..


I have heard people cycle their tanks with eels and others advise against it. The water parameters will be monitored frequently and I do not wish to do a fishless cycle.

 

[bang guy]

Try Mollies.

 

[geridoc]

You said that you got " live rock now fully cured to my door". Does this mean that it was shipped? If so, there will be considerable die off when it is added to the tank, and you will be doing a fishless cycle whether you add fish, or not.

 

[newtofish1994]

No I got it free from the local fish store in town, they owe me.

I tend to ask for favors instead of money.


and they were delivered to me in a bucket of salt water, not in crappy wrapped up newspapers, However.. I am debating on leaving a mini piece out to rot then throwing it in there.

 

[silverado61]

Quote:
Originally Posted by newtofish1994 http:///t/397232/cycling-your-tank-with-fish#post_3540080
No I got it free from the local fish store in town, they owe me.

I tend to ask for favors instead of money.


and they were delivered to me in a bucket of salt water, not in crappy wrapped up newspapers, However.. I am debating on leaving a mini piece out to rot then throwing it in there.
If your choices were between using a rock and a fish, I'd choose the rock. Just keep in mind that if it was water from one of their tanks, whatever was in the water will now also be in your tank so I wouldn't add the water.

 

[newtofish1994]

alright will do, I'll let it rot in the bathroom. that way my tank can cycle right away. However on a side question.


I do see now some starfish did get in my tank so on a side note, I'm in a very very cold area, i could literally just open a window and my tanks water would drop to about 45 - 55 degrees F.


Instead of investing in a starfish eating shrimp, should I just open my window for free? Or would doing that to my tank do more damage then good?

 

[bang guy]

You don't have to let any live rock rot. That's a perfect way to create a hair algae issue on that rock.

Just sprinkle a little fish food into the tank every day. Just a small pinch is all it will take, just like what you would feed a fish if you were cycling with a fish.

You do NOT want a really high ammonia level. Yes, that will cycle the tank but it could again cause hair algae issues later on. Just continue to add a little fish food every day and with the live rock you have you'll be cycled in a few weeks.



I have no idea what you mean with the window. I vote no. I do not see how any good can come from it. If the intention was to kill the starfish, don't worry about them. They are likely harmless and add to your biodiversity.

 

[newtofish1994]

yeah i was hoping that the cold would kill the starfish because its a small tank and I want to add corals which I heard they consume. And thanks will do with the fish food.

 

[bang guy]

Earlier I suggested Mollies only because you seemed intent on having fish for your cycle. Mollies are equipped to handle ammonia better than most other fish.

I applaud your decision to use fish food instead.