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
hehttp://www.aquahobby.com/articles/e_...lawicichlids.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.