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SubscribeUsing cycle.....
brtaylor2000
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I just started cycling my Tank yesterday. I have 3 danios water levels are fine. I am using a bio filter and an airstone wand. I have currently in the tank Cycle,stress coat and microbe-lift special blend which keeps the tank clean longer. Will this speed up my cycling prosses? If so how long will it take for me to add more fish
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:19Profile AIM Yahoo PM Edit Report 
Kim
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female usa
It might speed things up a bit (insert other opinions here)
Don't add any more fish until you're done cycling.

Kim
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:19Profile PM Edit Report 
Tammy
 
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Three Danio's are not very big waste producers so depending on the size of tank you are cycling it may take an extended period of time regardless of the boosters you are using. What size is the tank?

I have never used the Microbe Special Blend you are mentioning but it would seem to me that it may interfere with the cycling process of your tank.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:19Profile PM Edit Report 
Kim
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It won't interfere,it should help.


Kim
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:19Profile PM Edit Report 
brtaylor2000
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i have a 20g. The benefits of microbe-lift specail blend is.... A new tank starter for biological cyclingand boosting, An organic waster degrader, Naturally stimulates plant growth, Lowers ammonia levels and biologically reduces nitrates, Removes odors and clears cloudywater, Biological maintainer for established tanks, Contains both Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter bacteria, Enhances ability of plants to utilize light, water and nutrients, Breaks down residue on gravel,plants, rocks, etc..........Im using NIC on top of that with the 3 dainos how soon do you think my tank will be ready?
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:19Profile AIM Yahoo PM Edit Report 
brtaylor2000
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water readings ph 6.8-7.0
ammonia 0
nitrite 0
meduim hard water
how am i doing what will let me know im cycled
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:19Profile AIM Yahoo PM Edit Report 
Kim
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You should be getting an ammonia spike. After that, nitrites will spike while the ammonia drops. This part of the cycle can be long. Then your nitrites will start falling while you start getting nitrates. When your ammonia, nitrites are zero and you have nitrates, you are done cycling. Be patient, this can take a few weeks.

Kim
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:19Profile PM Edit Report 
openwater
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Hi, cycling a tank seems like forever.
microbe-lift special blend sounds like one of those mircale engine additives for your car, BUT they usually don't do anything but gum up your engine. Same with the fish tank, cloudy water is normal when starting to cycle, it will go away. It claims it biologically reduces nitrates, well that's good, but you don't have nitrates untill your done(or close to been done) cycling, and I believe water changes and plants are the only way to get rid of nitrates.
It probably doesn't help lower ammonia levels, it might make safer by turning it into ionic ammonia NH4+ instead of NH3,but it might also affect your p.h. Also it probably does have plant fertilizer, but whatever. And with the waste degrader, you don't want to use it, because the new colonies of bacteria need a lot of food to multi and to cycle your tank. The point I'm trying to get at is those additives are usuall not the best. Use some NIC and hardy fish, give it 4-5 weeks and you have a cycled tank. After that do regular water changes and vacs you be fine. Don't rely on those miracle additives. Test kits are good to get too. If you haven't read the cycle article on this site check it out its good reading for starting a tank. Save your money and don't buy those "miracle additives".
openwater.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:19Profile PM Edit Report 
Tammy
 
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brtaylor...

Three Danio's cycling a 20 gallon tank is going to take a long time (at least a month, more like two) regardless of how many different products you use to try and help it along. You would be further ahead to return the three Danio's to the fish store and continue on with a fishless cycle of this tank.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:19Profile PM Edit Report 
brtaylor2000
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how about if i add a few more danios will that help any i kinda got attached to them
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Tammy
 
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Yes it will help... I would have at least 3 x's the amount you have now.

20 Gallons is more than you think and 3 Danio's produce less waste than you imagine.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:19Profile PM Edit Report 
AngelZoo
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Where is your NitrAte test kit? You need that as well, it's to tell you the end of your cycling process.

The Cycle or NIC product will help turn ammonia into NitrItes, that is what it's beneficial bacteria does.

I personally don't typically like to use fish to cycle a tank, but when I do I don't keep them in for the whole time. Just to get it started.
Post InfoPosted 26-Jan-2006 11:19Profile AIM PM Edit Report 
brtaylor2000
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I have a deluxe fresh lab but the problem is it dont have a nitrate test in it i was so upset so it looks like i gotta go by a seperate nitrate test. Ill most likely buy the strips im spending to much money on this stuff
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