Cycling A New Tank

[Tyler LaZerte]

I have a seeded (about 2 years in an established, planted tank) sponge that I would like to put in my new tank along with a brand new sponge filter. How long can I expect to cycle my tank before I can add some nerites and neocaridina?

[KBOzzie59]

Temperature and food source play a pretty big role in this.  Will you be adding a starter bacteria like Fritzyme 7?  A rough estimate is the bacteria colonies will double about every 18  to 30 hours depends on above mentioned food source and temperature.  You should be able to add the snails now (but feed them), I'd hold off on the shrimp for a month or so.

[Tyler LaZerte]

@KBOzzie59 I haven't set it up yet but I will be using Fritzyme 7, yes. I don't know if I should add a bottle of Turbostart as well. I want to get a batik nerite, some thorn nerites, and a cappuccino snail to start with. Do you think those would do well off the bat with food?

[Patrick_G]

You should be good to go right away, but the shrimp do better if you let some biofilm build up before you add them. Definitely add the snails though. 

[Tyler LaZerte]

@Patrick_G Okay for sure. I know the biofilm will need to be build up so I will be doing that 

[KBOzzie59]

2 minutes ago, Tyler LaZerte said:

Do you think those would do well off the bat with food?

Yep!  Some kind of algae wafer or a slice of squash/cucumber.

[Tyler LaZerte]

@KBOzzie59 yes! I would probably do blanched veggies. 

[Tyler LaZerte]

@KBOzzie59 Should I add a bottle of Turbostart along with dosing Fritzyme 7?

[KBOzzie59]

I never blanche, seems like a totally unnecessary step.  However I do use low sodium canned green beans.

[Schwack]

I only blanche veggies that don't sink on their own. Broccoli stems are really popular among my snails but need to be cooked in order to sink before they start to smell.

[Tyler LaZerte]

@KBOzzie59 Oh okay! I will just cook them. Do you need to cook them?

[Tyler LaZerte]

@Schwack Oh nice. Okay that is helpful info. Thank you!

[KBOzzie59]

5 minutes ago, Tyler LaZerte said:

Should I add a bottle of Turbostart along with dosing Fritzyme 7?

They are the same thing.

 

Fritz Turbo Start 700 Freshwater (4 oz)

• The original live nitrifying bacteria

• Rapidly eliminates toxic ammonia and nitrite

• Allows safe, immediate introduction of livestock

• Prevents “new tank syndrome”

• Establishes and maintains a healthy biofilter

• Prevents fish loss – FritzZyme saves lives!

• A safe, natural approach to water treatment

 

FritzZyme® 7 Freshwater

• The original live nitrifying bacteria

• Rapidly eliminates toxic ammonia and nitrite

• Allows safe immediate introduction of livestock

• Prevents new tank syndrome

• Establishes and maintains a healthy biofilter

• Prevents fish loss - FritzZyme® saves lives!

• A safe, natural approach to water treatment

[KBOzzie59]

3 minutes ago, Schwack said:

I only blanche veggies that don't sink on their own.

I just attach a plant weight.

[Tyler LaZerte]

@KBOzzie59 Oh gotcha! So would it make more sense to get the Fritzyme 7 since there is more?

[Fish Folk]

4 hours ago, Tyler LaZerte said:

I have a seeded (about 2 years in an established, planted tank) sponge that I would like to put in my new tank along with a brand new sponge filter. How long can I expect to cycle my tank before I can add some nerites and neocaridina?

If you use activated substrate like Eco Complete, combined with a seeded sponge, you should be fine. I’d set it up for 24 hrs, and test to see.

Here’s our method for cycling:

(1) Use a biologically activated substrate like Eco Complete — or, transfer substrate from a cycled tank.

(2) Use Wood or Hardscape from inside a cycled tank. We buy wet wood from our LFS.

(3) Use a primed sponge filter already full of bio.

(4) Use tank water from a cycled tank.

(5) Buy tons of live plants. They bring in bio.

(6) Dump in Dr. Tim’s bio starter fluid.

Then wait a day. Test water. Wait until Nitrates are increasing. Add fish. 

[Tyler LaZerte]

@Fish Folk Thank you! I am going to put in a seeded sponge and a bunch of live plants for sure. The wood is now and the substrate was used for African Cichlids but has been sitting in a bucket for a couple months. Once I get the tank, I am going to add Fritzyme 7 as well. Does that sounds like a good plan?

[Tyler LaZerte]

@Fish Folk My substrate is used ADA Aquasoil and sand used for African Cichlids. I am putting bahai stone, driftwood, alder cones, and seiryu stone rubble as well. 

[Fish Folk]

1 hour ago, Tyler LaZerte said:

@Fish Folk Thank you! I am going to put in a seeded sponge and a bunch of live plants for sure. The wood is now and the substrate was used for African Cichlids but has been sitting in a bucket for a couple months. Once I get the tank, I am going to add Fritzyme 7 as well. Does that sounds like a good plan?

Yepper!!