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	Cycling a 55g
Fishyandrew45 Hobbyist Posts: 137 Kudos: 98 Votes: 0 Registered: 16-Jul-2004	I just got a 55 gallon glass tank with a penguin 330 and a walmart stand. Ive been reading up on this whole cycling thing. To my understanding you need to establish natural bacteria in the tank and level out the ammonia and nitrates. So I need to get some fish to help this process along right? my other question is, what do I do with the cycle fish after its been cycled. None of the fish I want to stock the tank with seem hardy enough for the job. Any advice is welcomed thanks!
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:23
gauntlet Enthusiast Posts: 240 Kudos: 277 Votes: 8 Registered: 21-Jan-2004	I would go with giant danios. Most lfs will take them back for store credit after they cycle the tank for u. Try to get some bio spire or cycle if u can to help the cycle process along.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:23
sham Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 3369 Kudos: 2782 Votes: 98 Registered: 21-Apr-2004	You can also buy pure ammonia (with nothing besides possibly chelating agent in it) and use that instead of actual fish. It's the ammonia they produce that cycles your tank. This way you also don't have to worry about how high the ammonia gets. http://www.tomgriffin.com/aquamag/cycle2.html Some people say they have less fish illnesses after using a fishless cycle and some disagree. You can fully stock your tank after a fishless cycle instead of a few at a time.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:23
Fishyandrew45 Hobbyist Posts: 137 Kudos: 98 Votes: 0 Registered: 16-Jul-2004	The fishless cycling thing sounds like a good idea. But how would I know how much to put in and when. Is there a chart / testing kit I could get to help me? any advice would be great thanks!
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:23
Beefshank Enthusiast Posts: 246 Kudos: 141 Votes: 36 Registered: 30-Jun-2004	Did you check out the link in the response above yours? It tells you that kind of stuff. Heres the link again: http://www.tomgriffin.com/aquamag/cycle2.html It RUFFLY says to add 4-5 drops per 10 gal or add until you have amonia at ~5ppm. But you should really read the thing. It's very well explained. I am gonna start it on my new 60gal on tuesday, so maybe we can race! -Dennis
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:23
Fishyandrew45 Hobbyist Posts: 137 Kudos: 98 Votes: 0 Registered: 16-Jul-2004	lol thanks ill check out the link, thanks alot for the help!
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:23
sham Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 3369 Kudos: 2782 Votes: 98 Registered: 21-Apr-2004	It worked great for my first tank. One thing quite a few people experience is getting stuck at nitrites if you get too many. If your nitrites are off the chart for quite awhile do a small water change and increase the temp a few degrees. That has worked for me and everyone I know so far.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:23
Mike R Fish Addict Posts: 593 Kudos: 830 Votes: 322 Registered: 27-Jul-2004	Do you know anyone else with a Penguin 330? If you trade them a new Biowheel for one of theirs you will have the bacteria you need. I'm up to 13 tanks now and the last 6 I've done like that. I've got like 6 330s and 3 170s (same wheel) works great! Make sure you put some fish in right away though or the bacteria on the wheel will starve. Good luck, Mike
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:23


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