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Now that I know the tank Im getting, Im wondering what kind of fish would be okay to have a cycle in the 15gallon tank I have in mind. I know fishless seems to be the most recommended for a number of reasons, but I'd want to go with the fish one using, of course, fish that can survive the process.

Since the main aim is a home for my BN and one more fighter, I'd need something that can hopefully fit in nicely with those guys in the long run.

/:'

Both those fish will probably survive a cycle, though it will be detrimental to their long term health and massively shorten their lifespan.
Why not just put in a single prawn, or even some fish flake to cycle?
As for what else to put in, what about a school of tetras, or rasboras

It was recommended to me to use zebra danios and/or white cloud mountain minnows for cycling. I used Tiger Barbs for my 1st tank, mainly because my son wanted the "tiger-fish" and the LFS store said they would be hardy. Well.. I ended up with (and am still working on) an Ich outbreak and have lost several fish. I think the stress of cycling got me the Ich susceptibility, and the Ich increased the stress of cycling to the point where I lost several fish. Restocking my tank too soon before the Ich was gone didn't help matters. I was told not to by a few on here, and didn't listen and found out why I should've listened lol

When I build my new 55g, I am probably going to cycle fishless this time and see how that goes. I am still cycling the 20g, as the Ich treatments and WC have disrupted that process. So, ya may wish to cycle without fish...

In my opinion none. It's cruel. There is absolutely no reason to cycle with fish versus fishless except a desire to harm the fish. It's no easier, safer, more effective, faster... etc. In fact it's the opposite of all of those. Tanks are easier to cycle and tend to cycle faster when done fishless. All you have to do is add a little fish food daily as if you were feeding a couple fish and wait it out. You don't need to worry about doing water changes to save the fish or testing as frequently to avoid the numbers getting too high. All you need is a little patience to sit back and wait for the tank to be safe for fish. Best to learn patience now instead of later when you already have fish.

If you choose to use fish Zebra Danios are extremly good I used them for my Betta tank and they actually breed during the cycling process. I also had plenty of live plants including floating water sprite. If you want some I can easly post some to you.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info

Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

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Tanks are easier to cycle and tend to cycle faster when done fishless.

I'm not doubting you, sham, I'm just curious as to why that is. By my thinking, fish + fish food should cycle faster than just fish food alone because of more waste.

That being said, I've never fishless cycled (the last time I fully cycled a tank was about 6 years ago and I didn't know about fishless cycling then) so I have no experience with fishless vs. fish cycled.

Joe Potato

Well I wont have the tank for awhile but I suppose I would at least like some plants.... ^.^


Though now I do hope I havent hurt my Dante since I added him right into his 7gal tank home when I got it. knew little on cycling then.