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If you are positive that those are the fish you want, you might want to double-check those two gouramis. Sometimes, blue gouramis can be aggressive towards each other, especially if you have two males. I would go with just one of those. Also, the fishless cycle would be better. Patience...

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

I didnt know that... Instead of adding ammonia can I like get some dead shrimp I buy from the store and use them to cycle it?

A fishless cycle is when you add pure ammonia, or something like a dead prawn, to cycle your tank. That way you don't subject your fish to ammonia and nitrite.

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They shade the glow of it with their mossy-misty costumes,
They wear masks of silk, porcelain, brass, and silver,
So as not to mislead with their own, ordinary faces.

New to fish keeping.
Can someone please explain to me what the fishless cycle is ?

Thanks Klee

Neons and cardinals definitly aren't more hardy then cories. I cycled my one tank with the cories, I just stocked 2 at a time, with no problems at all. Plus, a large fish store near me lists neons and cardinals as restricted species. Meaning they will not except returns of dead fish because they are so sensitive to poor water conditions(cycling). Cories aren't on their restricted list. Neither are tiger barbs or plecos. So, anyone thinking neons and cardinals are hardy fish should get some more experience or do so more research before making those suggestions.

I'm sure tiger knows exactly what a fishless cycle is. She was (correct me if I'm wrong) instructing Graphite what to do with his specific tank.

The Corys and Plecos are sensitive fish, so I would not do a fishless cycle with these.

tigerangel that makes no sense. a fishless cycle means you use pure ammonia as a ammonia source instead of fish

I've always done fish cycles. I just made sure I keep a very close eye on my water parameters. And my water changing etc.
I would cycle it with the Tetras, then Barbs.
The Corys and Plecos are sensitive fish, so I would not do a cycle with these.
Just make sure you kept a good check on your water.




[span class="edited"][Edited by TigerAngel 2004-08-15 02:15][/span]

Graphite said:

I get bored easily, I don't know if I can do a fishless cylce my bro is cycling his 10gal w/ 4 danios and 3 cories and its pretty fun to watch and I want to watch my 55gal also

Unless those danios and cories are the size of a penny, your brother's going to be doing a lot of water changes. I'd throw the danios in the 55 and leave the cories where they are, cycle both tanks that way, and when they're done you can put the fish where they need to go. Your water parameters are probably close enough to allow this, since you're working off the same tap.

IhAvEsOmEfIsH said:

What would happen if you did a fishless cycle for 24 hours would that hurt the fish?

Doing a fishless cycle for 24 hours would accomplish nothing except to get 2-5ppm ammonia into your tank. The bacteria are going to take time to grow. The only serious ways I know of to speed it up are to get somebody else's bacteria - Bio-Spira (which can't be bought right now) or a piece of someone else's filter (which hopefully you can get from a friend with a cycled tank).



[span class="edited"][Edited by Silverlight 2004-08-13 08:06][/span]

[span class="edited"][Edited by Silverlight 2004-08-13 08:08][/span]

What would happen if you did a fishless cycle for 24 hours would that hurt the fish?

ill cut down on the neons I guess.

8 tiger barbs
6 cardinal tetras
6 neon tetras
2 blue gouramis
1 bristlenose pleco
6 ornate/pepper cory cat
1 apple snail

even by the inch rule, which doesn't apply to such lively fish as tigers and cories, you're already OS. cut down on the tetras (either neons are cardys--not both). Also, not everyone has access to ammonia, bottled or otherwise, so cycling with fish is fine.

[span class="edited"][Edited by Klee 2004-08-12 18:17][/span]

I get bored easily, I don't know if I can do a fishless cylce my bro is cycling his 10gal w/ 4 danios and 3 cories and its pretty fun to watch and I want to watch my 55gal also

Will it be hard for the tiger barbs to survive during the cycle?

What is a good list of hardy type fish. Im about to start cycling my 55gal soon and wondering what can I add in there. Something interesting or something I would keep after the cycle.

With those fish, I would try the fishless cycle. Just to be safe. But, if that isn't an option for you, start with the tiger barbs. Next add the cories. Then the gouramis and pleco. Then add the cardinal tetras. Finally add the neons and the snail. If you don't want to be losing lots of fish, stock slowly. Add one group every 3 weeks. Don't rush it.

Well, Heres what I am adding after I do my cycle. I would like to have some of these fish in the cycle if they can withhold it.

8 tiger barbs
6 cardinal tetras
6 neon tetras
2 blue gouramis
1 bristlenose pleco
6 ornate/pepper cory cat
1 apple snail


This is a 55gallon btw.

my 55 only took 1.5 weeks to fishless cycle, and it was worth the wait. It is really worth it. You can add the whole stock of fish when its done, it cycles twice as fast as with fish, and there is no damage done to the fish. I would recommend fishless...

why cant people realize the good in fishless cycling

What types of fish do you want in the tank after it is done cycling?

If all the fish you want in that tank are hardy, just slowly stock the tank. Add 4-6 fish every 2 to 3 weeks and you should have no problems.