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Cshenk
October 16th 07, 02:33 AM
Hi, fairly experinced fish keeper here but reestablishing a 70gT tank after
6.5 years in storage. It's been ages since I had to start one over fresh.
I recall the process but not the time factor. No need for immediate answer,
the tank gets here in 4 days but we plan to fil it on the back porch to make
sure it's still watertight, and leave it there for a week. Then, we bring
it in and fill and start the process.

We normally start with just fresh water, gravel, and LFS plants and the
pump. I've had bad experiences with getting tank water from LFS places.
Then, after a week or so we add a molly nd leave it be. I seem to recall 3
weeks? Has to be a week after it clouds up then clears. There is a biota
bottle we used once and it worked well to get things going.

It's more of a 'remind me' than a teaching of the basics. Bet you folks are
happy to see that for a change!
xxcarol

David L. Burkhead
October 16th 07, 12:35 PM
Cshenk wrote:
> Hi, fairly experinced fish keeper here but reestablishing a 70gT tank
> after
> 6.5 years in storage. It's been ages since I had to start one over
> fresh. I recall the process but not the time factor. No need for
> immediate answer, the tank gets here in 4 days but we plan to fil it
> on the back porch to make sure it's still watertight, and leave it
> there for a week. Then, we bring it in and fill and start the
> process.
>
> We normally start with just fresh water, gravel, and LFS plants and
> the pump. I've had bad experiences with getting tank water from LFS
> places. Then, after a week or so we add a molly nd leave it be. I
> seem to recall 3 weeks? Has to be a week after it clouds up then
> clears. There is a biota bottle we used once and it worked well to
> get things going.
>
> It's more of a 'remind me' than a teaching of the basics. Bet you
> folks are happy to see that for a change!
> xxcarol

My recommendation would be to get a test kit (I use the Aquarium
Pharmaceuticals Freshwater Master Test Kit) and use it religiously.
Opinions are very mixed on the use of starter cultures such as Cycle and I'm
not sure if they really help, but I'm using Cycle while cycling the tank I
have slated to house a betta.

I'm also a big fan of fishless cycling so as to avoid putting the fish under
the stress of ammonia and nitrite poisoning. See details here:
http://www.aquahobby.com/articles/e_fishless.php
http://malawicichlids.com/mw01017.htm

It can take a month or more, so be patient.

--
David L. Burkhead "Dum Vivimus Vivamus"
"While we live, let us live."
My webcomic Cold Servings
http://www.coldservings.com -- Back from hiatus!
Updates Wednesdays

David L. Burkhead
October 16th 07, 04:21 PM
The OP was apparently cycling with fish (something I ended up doing when I
started with the goldfish because I didn't know any better when I started)
but the Betta tank I am prepping is being put through fishless cycling.


BTW, in addition to the Cycle, I stuck a used filter element from the
Goldfish tank in there to get things started. With my other tank, the
cycling process "hung" the longest on the nitrite portion so the nitrobacter
may actually be a good thing from my perspective.

Currently, I've got the tank to the point where I can dose it with ammonia
to 8 ppm and have it drop to zero within two days. The nitrites, however,
hang a lot longer.

I've about to leave on a business trip (I'll be giving the Goldfish a fairly
large water change and a good gravel vacuum before I leave since I don't
think my wife is up to doing that kind of maintenance--feeding is more her
speed) but I figure when I get back the new tank should be ready to go.

--
David L. Burkhead "Dum Vivimus Vivamus"
"While we live, let us live."
My webcomic Cold Servings
http://www.coldservings.com -- Back from hiatus!
Updates Wednesdays


"Tynk" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> On Oct 16, 6:35?am, "David L. Burkhead" > wrote:
> > Cshenk wrote:
> > > Hi, fairly experinced fish keeper here but reestablishing a 70gT tank
> > > after
> > > 6.5 years in storage. It's been ages since I had to start one over
> > > fresh. I recall the process but not the time factor. No need for
> > > immediate answer, the tank gets here in 4 days but we plan to fil it
> > > on the back porch to make sure it's still watertight, and leave it
> > > there for a week. Then, we bring it in and fill and start the
> > > process.
> >
> > > We normally start with just fresh water, gravel, and LFS plants and
> > > the pump. I've had bad experiences with getting tank water from LFS
> > > places. Then, after a week or so we add a molly nd leave it be. I
> > > seem to recall 3 weeks? Has to be a week after it clouds up then
> > > clears. There is a biota bottle we used once and it worked well to
> > > get things going.
> >
> > > It's more of a 'remind me' than a teaching of the basics. Bet you
> > > folks are happy to see that for a change!
> > > xxcarol
> >
> > My recommendation would be to get a test kit (I use the Aquarium
> > Pharmaceuticals Freshwater Master Test Kit) and use it religiously.
> > Opinions are very mixed on the use of starter cultures such as Cycle and
I'm
> > not sure if they really help, but I'm using Cycle while cycling the tank
I
> > have slated to house a betta.
> >
> > I'm also a big fan of fishless cycling so as to avoid putting the fish
under
> > the stress of ammonia and nitrite poisoning. See details
here:http://www.aquahobby.com/articles/e_fishless.phphttp://malawicichlids.c
om/mw01017.htm
> >
> > It can take a month or more, so be patient.
> >
> > --
> > David L. Burkhead "Dum Vivimus Vivamus"
> > "While we live, let us live."
> > My webcomic Cold Servingshttp://www.coldservings.com-- Back from hiatus!
> > Updates Wednesdays- Hide quoted text -
> >
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> The product Cycle is a waste of your money, and time.
> It has the wrong type of bacteria in it.
> If you're using this on a brand new set up *with* fish in it, then you
> are cycling with fish.
> Cycle has a later stage bacteria in it, not the first stage (which is
> what is needed).
> The only bacteria starter product so far that has the proper type is
> made by Marineland - BioSpira.
> Cycle has Nitrobacter bacteria and you need Nitrospira bacteria to
> start with.
>

Mel
October 16th 07, 08:06 PM
We have anew product available in the Uk now called Bactinnettes ( I believe
from Germany) which i was very sceptical about. I am a very experinced fish
keeper and have several established tank. I set up a new one 5 weeks ago now
and placed 2 large orandas in it immediately. At the very first sign of
ammonia I added the bactinettes and within 6 hours ammonia was 0 and I had
nitrates showing.5 weeks on and I still have 0 ammonia and nitrites and
nitrates around 5-10. I've been astonished by how well it worked!!!
Mel.

"Tynk" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> On Oct 15, 8:33?pm, "Cshenk" > wrote:
>> Hi, fairly experinced fish keeper here but reestablishing a 70gT tank
>> after
>> 6.5 years in storage. It's been ages since I had to start one over
>> fresh.
>> I recall the process but not the time factor. No need for immediate
>> answer,
>> the tank gets here in 4 days but we plan to fil it on the back porch to
>> make
>> sure it's still watertight, and leave it there for a week. Then, we
>> bring
>> it in and fill and start the process.
>>
>> We normally start with just fresh water, gravel, and LFS plants and the
>> pump. I've had bad experiences with getting tank water from LFS places.
>> Then, after a week or so we add a molly nd leave it be. I seem to recall
>> 3
>> weeks? Has to be a week after it clouds up then clears. There is a
>> biota
>> bottle we used once and it worked well to get things going.
>>
>> It's more of a 'remind me' than a teaching of the basics. Bet you folks
>> are
>> happy to see that for a change!
>> xxcarol
>
> Hi there.
> Getting tank water from a pet shop is really a bad idea.
> If the idea in getting it was that you would be cycling your tank with
> it, it didn't.
> The nitrifying bacteria are stuck like to every surface inside the
> tank, filter, gravel, plants, decor...everything *except* the water.
> It used to be thought that the bacteria also were in the water column
> just floating about. They aren't.
> It was also once thought that adding the mulm from old dirty gravel is
> good, or squeezing out a dirty filter pad into a newly set up tank
> would cycle it too. All bunk. You're just adding crud, that's all. No
> benificial bacteria.
>
> Since you're getting back into the hobby, there have been some
> "bacteria starters" that have become common and are pushed by
> employees. Cycle, Stress Zyme, BioZyme, etc...all do *not* have the
> correct start up bacteria in them.
> They have a later stage bacteria that shows up (depending on the
> brand) wither middle or end stage cycling.
> The first stage bacteria in the cycling process are nitrospira
> bacteria. As far as I know, the only product so far with this
> nitrospira bacteria is BioSpira, made by Marineland.
> I have personally used many of the products listed above myself.
> None except BioSpira worked.
> I'm a long time hobbyists and let me tell you the terror I had the
> first time I used BioSpira on a large tank.
> I had used it before on a few smaller tanks, but nothing like a fully
> stocked 75g.
> My 75g was fully cycled in 24 hours of being set up, filled with new
> water, new gravel, new plants (plastic then), and all fish transfered
> (angelfish and female bettas, assorted bottom feeders) the same day.
> It was like it never happened. There was no crash, the ammonia spike,
> nothing.
> Then, a few years later I changed the gravel completely and used Bio
> Spira again.
> Again, nothing was noticed.....and that's fantastic!
> Of course all normal water changes, and proper maintenance was being
> done.
> So if you choose to use a bacteria starter, find BioSpira or forget
> about it.
> The product needs to be kept refrigerated (Not frozen! It kills the
> bacteria and makes the product useless).
> It can't be left at room temp either, or it'll die.
> I once had a problem with spoiled BioSpira I got at a pet shop. It
> turned out the employee stocking it put it out on the shef next to the
> other starter products and it had been there over night.
> When he found it was supposed to be refrigerated, he just stuck it in
> there and thought it would be fine. = / Duh. It wasn't.
> It was all chunky and brown looking, instead of looking like cloudy
> water.
> If you have any friends with healthy fish tanks, you can seed the tank
> with a stocking full of their gravel and hang it in the tank.
> You can also do a fishless cycling wich uses household ammonia. If you
> do this one, make sure you get *plain* ammonia (usually a generic
> brand) without any scents or additives.
> Cycling *with* fish, the usual of the past, isn't necessary anymore as
> there are better ways to cycle a tank.
> Fish do suffer effects when used for cycling. The degree varies of
> course and some hobbyists would think their fish appear to have no ill
> effects from it. However, usually they have scarred gill tissue from
> ammonia burns. Not something the average hobbyist is going to see.
> Welcome back too!
>
>

Cshenk
October 16th 07, 08:30 PM
"Tynk" > wrote in message
...
> Since you're getting back into the hobby, there have been some

Never really left it ;-) Just didnt have my big tank and got the Sasebo
mini-tank from a friend who was transferring. That one was already cycled.

> If you have any friends with healthy fish tanks, you can seed the tank
> with a stocking full of their gravel and hang it in the tank.

Done that to start off another tank in my house. It works well.

> Fish do suffer effects when used for cycling. The degree varies of
> course and some hobbyists would think their fish appear to have no ill
> effects from it. However, usually they have scarred gill tissue from
> ammonia burns. Not something the average hobbyist is going to see.

Naw, but if you use the right tye (you actually pull them out when the water
starts to cloud and put them in another tank) you don't get that effect. I
agree, that would be bad.

Keep in mind that if I'm right on what I have stored, I have 3 tanks
arriving. Start one, then a week later start the next, then when the water
clouds from the 1st one, shift fish to the second and start it. By the time
the 2nd one clouds, you can either shift the fish to the 3rd tank, and start
it, or chances are the frst one is ready (move them back) and you can start
the 3rd one off from the first one without any fish needed.

> Welcome back too!

Thanks! Feels good to be home at last.
xxcarol

Mel
October 18th 07, 07:33 PM
The Bactinnettes is around £5 a pack and each pack treats 100 litres of tank
water.
Mel.

"Tynk" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> On Oct 16, 2:06?pm, "Mel" > wrote:
>> We have anew product available in the Uk now called Bactinnettes ( I
>> believe
>> from Germany) which i was very sceptical about. I am a very experinced
>> fish
>> keeper and have several established tank. I set up a new one 5 weeks ago
>> now
>> and placed 2 large orandas in it immediately. At the very first sign of
>> ammonia I added the bactinettes and within 6 hours ammonia was 0 and I
>> had
>> nitrates showing.5 weeks on and I still have 0 ammonia and nitrites and
>> nitrates around 5-10. I've been astonished by how well it worked!!!
>> Mel.
>>
>> "Tynk" > wrote in message
>>
>> ups.com...
>>
>>
>>
>> > On Oct 15, 8:33?pm, "Cshenk" > wrote:
>> >> Hi, fairly experinced fish keeper here but reestablishing a 70gT tank
>> >> after
>> >> 6.5 years in storage. It's been ages since I had to start one over
>> >> fresh.
>> >> I recall the process but not the time factor. No need for immediate
>> >> answer,
>> >> the tank gets here in 4 days but we plan to fil it on the back porch
>> >> to
>> >> make
>> >> sure it's still watertight, and leave it there for a week. Then, we
>> >> bring
>> >> it in and fill and start the process.
>>
>> >> We normally start with just fresh water, gravel, and LFS plants and
>> >> the
>> >> pump. I've had bad experiences with getting tank water from LFS
>> >> places.
>> >> Then, after a week or so we add a molly nd leave it be. I seem to
>> >> recall
>> >> 3
>> >> weeks? Has to be a week after it clouds up then clears. There is a
>> >> biota
>> >> bottle we used once and it worked well to get things going.
>>
>> >> It's more of a 'remind me' than a teaching of the basics. Bet you
>> >> folks
>> >> are
>> >> happy to see that for a change!
>> >> xxcarol
>>
>> > Hi there.
>> > Getting tank water from a pet shop is really a bad idea.
>> > If the idea in getting it was that you would be cycling your tank with
>> > it, it didn't.
>> > The nitrifying bacteria are stuck like to every surface inside the
>> > tank, filter, gravel, plants, decor...everything *except* the water.
>> > It used to be thought that the bacteria also were in the water column
>> > just floating about. They aren't.
>> > It was also once thought that adding the mulm from old dirty gravel is
>> > good, or squeezing out a dirty filter pad into a newly set up tank
>> > would cycle it too. All bunk. You're just adding crud, that's all. No
>> > benificial bacteria.
>>
>> > Since you're getting back into the hobby, there have been some
>> > "bacteria starters" that have become common and are pushed by
>> > employees. Cycle, Stress Zyme, BioZyme, etc...all do *not* have the
>> > correct start up bacteria in them.
>> > They have a later stage bacteria that shows up (depending on the
>> > brand) wither middle or end stage cycling.
>> > The first stage bacteria in the cycling process are nitrospira
>> > bacteria. As far as I know, the only product so far with this
>> > nitrospira bacteria is BioSpira, made by Marineland.
>> > I have personally used many of the products listed above myself.
>> > None except BioSpira worked.
>> > I'm a long time hobbyists and let me tell you the terror I had the
>> > first time I used BioSpira on a large tank.
>> > I had used it before on a few smaller tanks, but nothing like a fully
>> > stocked 75g.
>> > My 75g was fully cycled in 24 hours of being set up, filled with new
>> > water, new gravel, new plants (plastic then), and all fish transfered
>> > (angelfish and female bettas, assorted bottom feeders) the same day.
>> > It was like it never happened. There was no crash, the ammonia spike,
>> > nothing.
>> > Then, a few years later I changed the gravel completely and used Bio
>> > Spira again.
>> > Again, nothing was noticed.....and that's fantastic!
>> > Of course all normal water changes, and proper maintenance was being
>> > done.
>> > So if you choose to use a bacteria starter, find BioSpira or forget
>> > about it.
>> > The product needs to be kept refrigerated (Not frozen! It kills the
>> > bacteria and makes the product useless).
>> > It can't be left at room temp either, or it'll die.
>> > I once had a problem with spoiled BioSpira I got at a pet shop. It
>> > turned out the employee stocking it put it out on the shef next to the
>> > other starter products and it had been there over night.
>> > When he found it was supposed to be refrigerated, he just stuck it in
>> > there and thought it would be fine. = / Duh. It wasn't.
>> > It was all chunky and brown looking, instead of looking like cloudy
>> > water.
>> > If you have any friends with healthy fish tanks, you can seed the tank
>> > with a stocking full of their gravel and hang it in the tank.
>> > You can also do a fishless cycling wich uses household ammonia. If you
>> > do this one, make sure you get *plain* ammonia (usually a generic
>> > brand) without any scents or additives.
>> > Cycling *with* fish, the usual of the past, isn't necessary anymore as
>> > there are better ways to cycle a tank.
>> > Fish do suffer effects when used for cycling. The degree varies of
>> > course and some hobbyists would think their fish appear to have no ill
>> > effects from it. However, usually they have scarred gill tissue from
>> > ammonia burns. Not something the average hobbyist is going to see.
>> > Welcome back too!- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> - Show quoted text -
>
> Very cool!
> I hope more companies come out with the proper bacteria type in them,
> because then the price would go down.
> BioSpira is on the expensive side.
>

October 19th 07, 08:04 PM
rather than getting the RIGHT kind of ammonia and getting the RIGHT amount in the
tank, a pinch of Hikari Gold fish food for a small tank up to a tablespoon in a 75
gallon can be tossed into the tank, the heat set to 82oF and plenty of aeration. In
3 days or so watch the ammonia. If no ammonia is seen add more food.
or, try any fish food that causes an ammonia spike.
Ingrid

Alpha
October 21st 07, 11:15 PM
"Mel" > wrote in message
k...
> We have anew product available in the Uk now called Bactinnettes ( I
> believe from Germany) which i was very sceptical about. I am a very
> experinced fish keeper and have several established tank. I set up a new
> one 5 weeks ago now and placed 2 large orandas in it immediately. At the
> very first sign of ammonia I added the bactinettes and within 6 hours
> ammonia was 0 and I had nitrates showing.5 weeks on and I still have 0
> ammonia and nitrites and nitrates around 5-10. I've been astonished by how
> well it worked!!!
> Mel.


There is a reason BioSpira is refrigerated. Read the articles. If this is
dry, it is most certainly not stage 1 BioSpira.

Mel
October 22nd 07, 09:13 AM
It is refrigerated and has a very short shelf life.As I said before it works
brilliantly and my tank is proof.
Mel,.

"Alpha" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Mel" > wrote in message
> k...
>> We have anew product available in the Uk now called Bactinnettes ( I
>> believe from Germany) which i was very sceptical about. I am a very
>> experinced fish keeper and have several established tank. I set up a new
>> one 5 weeks ago now and placed 2 large orandas in it immediately. At the
>> very first sign of ammonia I added the bactinettes and within 6 hours
>> ammonia was 0 and I had nitrates showing.5 weeks on and I still have 0
>> ammonia and nitrites and nitrates around 5-10. I've been astonished by
>> how well it worked!!!
>> Mel.
>
>
> There is a reason BioSpira is refrigerated. Read the articles. If this
> is dry, it is most certainly not stage 1 BioSpira.
>
>

Cshenk
October 22nd 07, 07:01 PM
Havent been able to find it in Norfolk VA area yet.


"Mel" > wrote in message
.uk...
> It is refrigerated and has a very short shelf life.As I said before it
> works brilliantly and my tank is proof.
> Mel,.
>
> "Alpha" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "Mel" > wrote in message
>> k...
>>> We have anew product available in the Uk now called Bactinnettes ( I
>>> believe from Germany) which i was very sceptical about. I am a very
>>> experinced fish keeper and have several established tank. I set up a new
>>> one 5 weeks ago now and placed 2 large orandas in it immediately. At the
>>> very first sign of ammonia I added the bactinettes and within 6 hours
>>> ammonia was 0 and I had nitrates showing.5 weeks on and I still have 0
>>> ammonia and nitrites and nitrates around 5-10. I've been astonished by
>>> how well it worked!!!
>>> Mel.
>>
>>
>> There is a reason BioSpira is refrigerated. Read the articles. If this
>> is dry, it is most certainly not stage 1 BioSpira.
>>
>>
>
>

Mel
October 23rd 07, 07:39 AM
We can only get it in the Maidenhead aquatic stores here.Try there if you
have one nearby.
Mel.

"Cshenk" > wrote in message
...
> Havent been able to find it in Norfolk VA area yet.
>
>
> "Mel" > wrote in message
> .uk...
>> It is refrigerated and has a very short shelf life.As I said before it
>> works brilliantly and my tank is proof.
>> Mel,.
>>
>> "Alpha" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>>
>>> "Mel" > wrote in message
>>> k...
>>>> We have anew product available in the Uk now called Bactinnettes ( I
>>>> believe from Germany) which i was very sceptical about. I am a very
>>>> experinced fish keeper and have several established tank. I set up a
>>>> new one 5 weeks ago now and placed 2 large orandas in it immediately.
>>>> At the very first sign of ammonia I added the bactinettes and within 6
>>>> hours ammonia was 0 and I had nitrates showing.5 weeks on and I still
>>>> have 0 ammonia and nitrites and nitrates around 5-10. I've been
>>>> astonished by how well it worked!!!
>>>> Mel.
>>>
>>>
>>> There is a reason BioSpira is refrigerated. Read the articles. If this
>>> is dry, it is most certainly not stage 1 BioSpira.
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

redsockfluff
November 23rd 07, 11:29 PM
On Oct 16, 3:35 pm, Tynk > wrote:
> On Oct 15, 8:33?pm, "Cshenk" > wrote:
>
> > Hi, fairly experinced fish keeper here but reestablishing a 70gT tank after
> > 6.5 years in storage. It's been ages since I had to start one over fresh.
> > I recall the process but not the time factor. No need for immediate answer,
> > the tank gets here in 4 days but we plan to fil it on the back porch to make
> > sure it's still watertight, and leave it there for a week. Then, we bring
> > it in and fill and start the process.
>
> > We normally start with just fresh water, gravel, and LFS plants and the
> > pump. I've had bad experiences with getting tank water from LFS places.
> > Then, after a week or so we add a molly nd leave it be. I seem to recall 3
> > weeks? Has to be a week after it clouds up then clears. There is a biota
> > bottle we used once and it worked well to get things going.
>
> > It's more of a 'remind me' than a teaching of the basics. Bet you folks are
> > happy to see that for a change!
> > xxcarol
>
> Hi there.
> Getting tank water from a pet shop is really a bad idea.
> If the idea in getting it was that you would be cycling your tank with
> it, it didn't.
> The nitrifying bacteria are stuck like to every surface inside the
> tank, filter, gravel, plants, decor...everything *except* the water.
> It used to be thought that the bacteria also were in the water column
> just floating about. They aren't.
> It was also once thought that adding the mulm from old dirty gravel is
> good, or squeezing out a dirty filter pad into a newly set up tank
> would cycle it too. All bunk. You're just adding crud, that's all. No
> benificial bacteria.
>
> Since you're getting back into the hobby, there have been some
> "bacteria starters" that have become common and are pushed by
> employees. Cycle, Stress Zyme, BioZyme, etc...all do *not* have the
> correct start up bacteria in them.
> They have a later stage bacteria that shows up (depending on the
> brand) wither middle or end stage cycling.
> The first stage bacteria in the cycling process are nitrospira
> bacteria. As far as I know, the only product so far with this
> nitrospira bacteria is BioSpira, made by Marineland.
> I have personally used many of the products listed above myself.
> None except BioSpira worked.
> I'm a long time hobbyists and let me tell you the terror I had the
> first time I used BioSpira on a large tank.
> I had used it before on a few smaller tanks, but nothing like a fully
> stocked 75g.
> My 75g was fully cycled in 24 hours of being set up, filled with new
> water, new gravel, new plants (plastic then), and all fish transfered
> (angelfish and female bettas, assorted bottom feeders) the same day.
> It was like it never happened. There was no crash, the ammonia spike,
> nothing.
> Then, a few years later I changed the gravel completely and used Bio
> Spira again.
> Again, nothing was noticed.....and that's fantastic!
> Of course all normal water changes, and proper maintenance was being
> done.
> So if you choose to use a bacteria starter, find BioSpira or forget
> about it.
> The product needs to be kept refrigerated (Not frozen! It kills the
> bacteria and makes the product useless).
> It can't be left at room temp either, or it'll die.
> I once had a problem with spoiled BioSpira I got at a pet shop. It
> turned out the employee stocking it put it out on the shef next to the
> other starter products and it had been there over night.
> When he found it was supposed to be refrigerated, he just stuck it in
> there and thought it would be fine. = / Duh. It wasn't.
> It was all chunky and brown looking, instead of looking like cloudy
> water.
> If you have any friends with healthy fish tanks, you can seed the tank
> with a stocking full of their gravel and hang it in the tank.
> You can also do a fishless cycling wich uses household ammonia. If you
> do this one, make sure you get *plain* ammonia (usually a generic
> brand) without any scents or additives.
> Cycling *with* fish, the usual of the past, isn't necessary anymore as
> there are better ways to cycle a tank.
> Fish do suffer effects when used for cycling. The degree varies of
> course and some hobbyists would think their fish appear to have no ill
> effects from it. However, usually they have scarred gill tissue from
> ammonia burns. Not something the average hobbyist is going to see.
> Welcome back too!


Hello there above poster...

i am doing a dissertation (for my BSc Hons in animal science) on the
maturation methods of fish tanks and found what you said very useful
and informative. i know your findings are through experince but do you
know of any scientific literature confirming your findings at all? and
if possible could you steer me in the right direction please? i would
be ever so grateful and i'd like to thank you for inadvertantly
steering me in the right direction with my dissertation project
without even knowing it!
thank you very much
red