help with cycling tank....

btldreef

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///forum/thread/382739/help-with-cycling-tank/20#post_3343856
I have see the gills burned....but as Henry pointed out way back in the beginning this is how it was done. I think the problem is a lot of times people are really educated in the correct way....I've never lost damsels during a cycle using this method, and you are correct in the individual having an idea what is going on. I also don't dump tons of damsels into a setup to cycle. I start my cycle small maybe 3-4 and then increase the load depending on tank size. The idea or thought of seeing nasty, smelly shrimp floating in my tank.....
turns me off....I'd rather see a little movement in the tank, but again be aware of what is going on inside the tank.....
I'm with you on the rotting shrimp, that's why I prefer ghost feeding.
 

spanko

Active Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///forum/thread/382739/help-with-cycling-tank/20#post_3343856
Quote:
Originally Posted by BTLDreef
http:///forum/thread/382739/help-with-cycling-tank/20#post_3343045
Honestly, it's a common "statistical expression" for lack of a better way of explaining it. I am aware that this is the way tanks used to be cycled, but I for one would not condone it and have seen many people kill a good portion of the damsels when using this method, especially people with zero experience in the hobby. That being said, I've also seen people use damsels to cycle and not kill them, but these are usually people that have some knowledge in the hobby.
Mr Limpid, you're using a QT, it's cycled and has beneficial bacteria so 1) the ammonia won't stick around for long and b) you're adding Amquel and doing a water change quick enough that you're not seeing any ill effects.
Have you guys ever seen a fish that has had its gills burned due to high ammonia levels (more than .25ppm)? It's ugly.
I have see the gills burned....but as Henry pointed out way back in the beginning this is how it was done. I think the problem is a lot of times people are really educated in the correct way....I've never lost damsels during a cycle using this method, and you are correct in the individual having an idea what is going on. I also don't dump tons of damsels into a setup to cycle. I start my cycle small maybe 3-4 and then increase the load depending on tank size. The idea or thought of seeing nasty, smelly shrimp floating in my tank.....
turns me off....I'd rather see a little movement in the tank, but again be aware of what is going on inside the tank.....
Agree 100 percent here. Also wondering what a common statistical expression means BTLDreef? No matter what you call it I don't believe that 95 percent of the time fish perished.
 

bgbdwlf2500

Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by spanko http:///forum/thread/382739/help-with-cycling-tank/40#post_3343901
Quote:
Originally Posted by acrylic51 http:///forum/thread/382739/help-with-cycling-tank/20#post_3343856
Quote:
Originally Posted by BTLDreef
http:///forum/thread/382739/help-with-cycling-tank/20#post_3343045
Honestly, it's a common "statistical expression" for lack of a better way of explaining it. I am aware that this is the way tanks used to be cycled, but I for one would not condone it and have seen many people kill a good portion of the damsels when using this method, especially people with zero experience in the hobby. That being said, I've also seen people use damsels to cycle and not kill them, but these are usually people that have some knowledge in the hobby.
Mr Limpid, you're using a QT, it's cycled and has beneficial bacteria so 1) the ammonia won't stick around for long and b) you're adding Amquel and doing a water change quick enough that you're not seeing any ill effects.
Have you guys ever seen a fish that has had its gills burned due to high ammonia levels (more than .25ppm)? It's ugly.
I have see the gills burned....but as Henry pointed out way back in the beginning this is how it was done. I think the problem is a lot of times people are really educated in the correct way....I've never lost damsels during a cycle using this method, and you are correct in the individual having an idea what is going on. I also don't dump tons of damsels into a setup to cycle. I start my cycle small maybe 3-4 and then increase the load depending on tank size. The idea or thought of seeing nasty, smelly shrimp floating in my tank.....
turns me off....I'd rather see a little movement in the tank, but again be aware of what is going on inside the tank.....
Agree 100 percent here. Also wondering what a common statistical expression means BTLDreef? No matter what you call it I don't believe that 95 percent of the time fish perished.
My loss percentage using a damsel or two in cycling many tanks is 0% with no signs of suffering at all. That 95% number comes from calling cycling with fish inhumane. Are there other ways to cycle a tank, of course there are. To each their own in this case, it was done for years with fish... Most fish stores are gonna say use fish because thats the easiest way to do it, theres nothing to explain about putting a shrimp in and taking it out when ammonia hits .25ppm or adding liquid ammonia every day etc. Its almost like plug and play with a fish, drop it in, feed it a little every day and check water params until the nitrite shows 0, do a water change and youre good to go...
 
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