"redsockfluff" wrote in message
...
Hello everybody! I am a BSc student in the UK and for my dissertation
I am comparing 4 different methods of maturing fish tanks and
comparing the amount of bacteria grown on the filter sponges. Tank 1
is a fishless cycle with nothing added. Distilled water (control tank)
Tank 2 is a fishless cycle with 0.30g of food intended to rot and kick
of the nitrogen cycles. Distilled water
Tank 3 is a fishless cycle with Nutrafin Biological Suplement "Cycle".
Distilled water
Tank 4 is a fshless cycle with Bactinettes. Distilled water.

When using bactinettes and cycle do you have to add ammonia? Because
it doesn't say to on the instructions. Does the fact that i am not
adding ammonia make a difference? If i am just adding cycle and
bactinettes, the bacteria, do I need ammonia in there to sustain their
growth? And if I water test everyday; nitrates, nitrites, pH and
ammonia in every tank each day... will i see any change?


As Tynk said tank 1 will be a dud.

How about one tank with fish? I gather you're trying to avoid having any
pets after the experiment?

I've read that only the refrigerated bacteria products are of much value,
but I have no idea if they're available in the UK. Bactinettes sound very
good, but I've never seen them here.

You might also try a tank with Amquel+ or Prime, which won't speed up your
cycle but will give your 'fish' a better quality of life during the cycle.
It would be interesting to see cycle time vs. water quality (fish health).
In other words, you don't care too much if one method takes a week longer to
cycle provided your fish are not harmed. I would expect to see this with the
Amquel+, Prime products.

You'll need to feed your bacteria regardless of the route you go.