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I finally got some of the New Improved Cycle, my next question is, how do you use it? Are you supposed to dump it directly into your filter? Do you unplug the filter first? (I have a AquaClear on there now) How often do you use it? And should I use it on my established tank?
Both of the angels I bought last Wednesday died, they were in the tank that I'm going to add the Cycle to. (There are no fish in there now) I took the water to be tested at the lfs and they said it was "fine". I thought the tank was cycled since I had used everything from my 10 gallon set up to get it going. I think the angels might have been too stressed out, I bought them the day the lfs got them in.

I usually dump it into my filter(s), but it works just as well if you dump it directly into the tank.

Remeber, the bacteria need a source of ammonia to live, so dosing an empty tank will just be wasting it...all of the bacteria will die.

"I thought the tank was cycled since I had used everything from my 10 gallon set up to get it going."

Adding everything from a 10 gallon, won't completely cycle a 30 gallon tank. It will definitly make the cycle a lot faster, but the fish you add to that tank will still have to be able to withstand a partial cycle. So this time, choose a hardier fish to be the first addition to the tank. Give it a few weeks, then if you stil want angels, your tank should be ready for them.

When adding new fish, I usually add 2 capfulls of Cycle the same night the fish go in. Then for the rest of the first week, I usually add 1 capfull every other day. I don't think it matters, but normally I pour half into the filter and the other half in the tank.

And just as Pancake said, there is no need to add the Cycle to your empty tank.

Good luck with setting up your tank!

Do you lift the lid on the filter, and dump it right onto the sponge part? While it's running?

Yup...it's really simple

Don't forget to add a couple cup fulls after water changes, change filter sponges, after medication or as a weekly maintaince. You can use 5ml(one capful) per 10 usgal.

[span class="edited"][Edited by 2004-08-22 00:41][/span]

I have Penguin filters, since they have bio-wheels, I pour the Cycle on the wheel. If you don't have a bio-wheel, pouring it anywhere in the filter will do the trick.

I do 25% water changes weekly I add 4 caps every change 2 into the filter and 2 inside the tank.
With 185 gal I use quite a bit, but I believe it really help's keep my tank balanced.
I will contiue to use it in all my tanks. Not a cheap product though eh.
Tom

Er, Tommyc, that sounds like an extremely expensive idea. Have you ever tried to go without?

Really the best way to use cycle IME is to follow the directions on the bottle. I soaked my biowheel in it last time I bought a penguin but I can't honestly say that it had any affect. I like to dump it right on the sponge but taht's just personal preference. It really doesn't make that much of a difference IMO.

Can you overdose on Cycle? I have only used it a once in my tank, (which is just starting to cycle) but can I do it too much? (20g tank, 3 platies, many frys, ammonia is at 2 ppm, NitrIte .5ppm, nitrAte 12.5mg/l, temp 83, ph 7.6, finishing treating for Ich)

Should I add more, or only if I add more water?

I've only ever used Cycle as a good boost to a new cycling tank (double dose) and keep it on hand to use in case of emergencies like having to med the tanks or long term power outages.
IMHO a properly cycled tank should have no real need for extra doses of bacteria... but that's just me

I personally love to use NIC I cycled my last tank, 5.5G in about 3 weeks with it.

I put some of the Nic in the filter and some directly into the tank water. I use it once a week, or basically whenever I do a full water normal water change.
However once my tank is mostly cycled, but if I'm having problems with some remaining high nitrates, during my small daily water changes I will not add the NIC.