"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