In message , Christopher Lewis
writes
My girlfriend bought me a 100 litre tank for my birthday a few weeks ago. I
filled it with gravel a few fake plants and water and left the filter and
heater running for a few days.

I then went to my local fish shop and bought some small fish recommended by
them to cycle the tank.


Sorry at that point you lost my patience. I think we should take a leaf
out of the current trend for "instant offence" and protest outside your
house :-)

Never use live fish to cycle a tank, they are as you say LIVE creatures.

Feed an empty tank. I know it sounds daft, but a small pinch of food
every morning for about 5-6 weeks will very effectively get the bugs
going in the tank.

Personally I'd like to see a license to keep fish introduced, with basic
training considered mandatory.

--
Edward Cowling London UK