The Official Asylum Freshwater Tank Thread

[Blueface]

Originally Posted by Old Sailor

How do you cycle your tanks guys....I use the amonia cycle....no fish till it's done, had good success with this way.
Now, try to get your hands on pure ammonia with no perfume or other addictive to it.

Add 4-5 drops of ammonia per 10 gallons of water, everyday.

Monitor the nitrites level everyday.

When you see a nitrates spike, drop the addition to 2-3 drops of ammonia per 10 gallons of water, everyday

When you see the nitrites level drop to zero,

Congratulations, your tank is fully cycled!

Dave,
In my years in the salt water aquarium business, I learned how to rapid cycle a tank, even fresh water.
I needed to learn not only for my tank and for the business but more so for those times when purchasing new fish and needing a rapid start hospital tank for quarantine.
Buy a simple product Bacter Vital. Comes in one formula for saltwater and a second for fresh so make sure you get the right one.
Use it for three days.
On the fourth day, the Tank is cycled and ready to go.
I swear I have done this with my tank and that of many customers, each time dealing with thousands of dollars in fish and have yet to loose one.
Stuff is amazing.

I have even experimented with a $5000 fish, with no waiting.
Just added it and kept adding for three days.
No sweat at all.