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Cycling question


Brayden's dad

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G'day all,

I have a 630L system that's been cycling for approximately 3 weeks. I've been "feeding" it some fish food to get it running. A slow process, I know, but we're all too well aware that it's better to go slow.

I have a dead goldfish :cryblow: from another tank that I think I should be able to chuck in there to help it along. To me, it's the same as the dead prawn principle of cycling but I could be wrong. Hence, my question which is am I right in making this assumption?

I'm thinking that the only thing wrong with this idea is that whatever killed the goldfish could also contaminate the larger system. The other tankmates in his old tank show no signs of stress at all so maybe his was a one-off. That's a big conclusion to make so soon after the death (he only karked it this afternoon) but I thought this idea might prompt some discussion.

By the way, I'm also well aware of the $$$$ cost (or lack thereof) of purchasing 1 dead prawn :thumbup: .

Troy.

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Why not put a live one in there and get the cycle going that way. Make sure you keep doing water changes as you go. Don't forget to use PRIME or other.

When u think the tank has cycled put the live goldie back with his/her other buddies and start adding your new desired fish...Slowly.

This is how i started my Mbuna tank. Worked well for me.

Enjoy your new BIG tank!!!

KimO.

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Stick a filter form another tank if you can and some of that tanks water when you do a change and you should be fine after 3weeks as you say. I would not add the goldie as you say why did it die!!.

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Why not put a live one in there and get the cycle going that way. Make sure you keep doing water changes as you go. Don't forget to use PRIME or other.

When u think the tank has cycled put the live goldie back with his/her other buddies and start adding your new desired fish...Slowly.

This is how i started my Mbuna tank. Worked well for me.

Enjoy your new BIG tank!!!

KimO.

Because while the tank is cycling it is going through an AMMONIA cycle which is toxic to fish. Yes, a goldfish probably would survive a cycle but it is cruel to the LIVE fish.

Troy.

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Troy

If its been going for three weeks you would be just about there IMHO with the cycle. I would let it go and just flush the dead goldfish.

Josh

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Troy

If its been going for three weeks you would be just about there IMHO with the cycle. I would let it go and just flush the dead goldfish.

Josh

Agreed, just dont add all of your new fish at once.

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Sticking anything live in there is cruel, goldfish or not.

I would also recommend NOT doing any water changes whilst the cycling process is working through. You are only going to slow things down do this, you may get lower ammonia and nitrite readings but it will only be caused by you diluting them and not the filter catching up.

I used the old fish food method for my tank cycle and it worked a treat. Just keep at it and you'll be there soon enough!

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Yeah, sorry...I got this wrong.

What i meant was to put a live fish in the tank to START the cycle.

ie. from scratch.

I got this confused with the "fishless" cycle your doing.

Again, sorry for the incorrect advise.

KimO.

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I too am cycling at the moment - and it's been 2.5 weeks without a trace of ammonia or nitrite or nitrates :angry:

I put a whole cucumber in there and let it fester, still no ammonia

I've used nitrovec.... still no ammonia

I'm getting very :zipit: ! :zipit::zipit: !@!&

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Yeah, sorry...I got this wrong.

What i meant was to put a live fish in the tank to START the cycle.

ie. from scratch.

I got this confused with the "fishless" cycle your doing.

Again, sorry for the incorrect advise.

KimO.

No worries. No harm done.

Troy.

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I too am cycling at the moment - and it's been 2.5 weeks without a trace of ammonia or nitrite or nitrates :angry:

I put a whole cucumber in there and let it fester, still no ammonia

I've used nitrovec.... still no ammonia

I'm getting very :zipit: ! :zipit::zipit: !@!&

Sorry Mike, I can't help you, mate. I wouldn't like to take a guess either & stuff it all up on you.

Someone like Spedwards, C. Thompson or Baz will be better to offer some advice.

BTW, I know you weren't asking me the question directly. Someone will help :thumb .

Troy.

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