Cycling facts, tips and links

Tynk · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 200

Hello fishy folks.

With opinions being very strong on the different ways to cycle a tank,
I thought it would be a good idea to give out facts and links to the
ways that are better than cycling with fish.

First of all, newbies often get confused by what *cycling* really
means.
Too often people think it's simply filling a new tank with water,
turning on the filter and letting run for 24-48 hours before adding
fish.
This isn't *cycling* your tank, it's just running water through the
filter, checking for any leaks, and getting the temp right.
To help better understand the process of what happens when your tank
is cycling, here is a link.
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.aquaria.freshwater.misc/post
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquarium/cycling.php
http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/cycling2.htm

Here's a link that explains how to fishless cycle a tank using pure
ammonia.
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-fishless-cycling.htm

Archived from group: rec>aquaria>freshwater>misc

Randy Webb · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 21

Tynk said the following on 1/9/2008 1:05 PM:
> Hello fishy folks.
>
> With opinions being very strong on the different ways to cycle a tank,
> I thought it would be a good idea to give out facts and links to the
> ways that are better than cycling with fish.
>
> First of all, newbies often get confused by what *cycling* really
> means.
> Too often people think it's simply filling a new tank with water,
> turning on the filter and letting run for 24-48 hours before adding
> fish.
> This isn't *cycling* your tank, it's just running water through the
> filter, checking for any leaks, and getting the temp right.
> To help better understand the process of what happens when your tank
> is cycling, here is a link.
> http://groups.google.com/group/rec.aquaria.freshwater.misc/post

That one requires you to sign in to complete the transaction.

> http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquarium/cycling.php
> http://www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/cycling2.htm
>
> Here's a link that explains how to fishless cycle a tank using pure
> ammonia.
> http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-fishless-cycling.htm

That is the first time, in 20 years, that I have ever read, heard or
been told that fish produce ammonia simply by breathing.

--
Randy
Chance Favors The Prepared Mind

BarrReport · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 55

On Jan 9, 9:23 pm, Randy Webb wrote:

> That is the first time, in 20 years, that I have ever read, heard or
> been told that fish produce ammonia simply by breathing.
>
> --
> Randy
> Chance Favors The Prepared Mind

Yep, take a look at any fish aquaculture text, or fish physiology
book.
Ammonia excretion from the gill in teleost fish is essential for
nitrogen elimination.
Gills are used for "breathing".

Here's a bit more in depth discussion from a text that covers the
basics:
http://books.google.com/books?id=8xwVaWUiC5wC&pg=PA20&lpg=PA20&dq=ammonia+gill+epithelium&source=web&ots=4Wix04BwO1&sig=dBIVNFs3r7BYKj_am5dyhoNn0io#PPA19,M1

Enjoy

Now consider the toxicity of NH4 and it's algae producing abilities.
Zeolite, plants and water changes seem pretty good about now.

Regards,
Tom Barr

Randy Webb · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 21

BarrReport@gmail.com said the following on 1/11/2008 2:03 AM:
> On Jan 9, 9:23 pm, Randy Webb wrote:
>
>> That is the first time, in 20 years, that I have ever read, heard or
>> been told that fish produce ammonia simply by breathing.
>>
>
> Yep, take a look at any fish aquaculture text, or fish physiology
> book.
> Ammonia excretion from the gill in teleost fish is essential for
> nitrogen elimination.
> Gills are used for "breathing".
>
> Here's a bit more in depth discussion from a text that covers the
> basics:
> http://books.google.com/books?id=8xwVaWUiC5wC&pg=PA20&lpg=PA20&dq=ammonia+gill+epithelium&source=web&ots=4Wix04BwO1&sig=dBIVNFs3r7BYKj_am5dyhoNn0io#PPA19,M1
>
> Enjoy

Thank you.

> Now consider the toxicity of NH4 and it's algae producing abilities.
> Zeolite, plants and water changes seem pretty good about now.

That was one of the underlying reasons for me trying to get my 55 gallon
tank planted. I was in Petsmart and saw a bag of substrate for plants.
It would have taken 4 bags to get a 2" layer in my 55 at 30 dollars a
bag. My wife would kill me and feed me to my fish if I spent 130 dollars
on substrate for plants. I asked why the drastic price of it and the
only thing we found different, from the bag, is that it was "Clay based
gravel". I found an article somewhere, I can't find it again, where they
discussed using kitty litter for the substrate. I tried an experiment in
a 5 gallon bucket with a non-clumping clay based kitty litter. It looks
like mud now.

Any alternatives for a good substrate for plants short of expensive?

--
Randy
Chance Favors The Prepared Mind

Tynk · Joined: 15 Dec 2007 Posts: 41

On Jan 11, 1:34 am, Randy Webb wrote:
> BarrRep...@gmail.com said the following on 1/11/2008 2:03 AM:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Jan 9, 9:23 pm, Randy Webb wrote:
>
> >> That is the first time, in 20 years, that I have ever read, heard or
> >> been told that fish produce ammonia simply by breathing.
>
> > Yep, take a look at any fish aquaculture text, or fish physiology
> > book.
> > Ammonia excretion from the gill in teleost fish is essential for
> > nitrogen elimination.
> > Gills are used for "breathing".
>
> > Here's a bit more in depth discussion from a text that covers the
> > basics:
> >http://books.google.com/books?id=8xwVaWUiC5wC&pg=PA20&lpg=PA20&dq=amm...
>
> > Enjoy
>
> Thank you.
>
> > Now consider the toxicity of NH4 and it's algae producing abilities.
> > Zeolite, plants and water changes seem pretty good about now.
>
> That was one of the underlying reasons for me trying to get my 55 gallon
> tank planted. I was in Petsmart and saw a bag of substrate for plants.
> It would have taken 4 bags to get a 2" layer in my 55 at 30 dollars a
> bag. My wife would kill me and feed me to my fish if I spent 130 dollars
> on substrate for plants. I asked why the drastic price of it and the
> only thing we found different, from the bag, is that it was "Clay based
> gravel". I found an article somewhere, I can't find it again, where they
> discussed using kitty litter for the substrate. I tried an experiment in
> a 5 gallon bucket with a non-clumping clay based kitty litter. It looks
> like mud now.
>
> Any alternatives for a good substrate for plants short of expensive?
>
> --
> Randy
> Chance Favors The Prepared Mind- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

There is two perfectly good substrates for FW planted tanks that is
readily available.......less than $7 per 20 pound bag There is not
such thing as clay based gravel dude! either its clay or its
gravel..........

Tynk · Joined: 15 Dec 2007 Posts: 41

On Jan 11, 8:40 am, Randy Webb wrote:
> Tynk said the following on 1/11/2008 8:35 AM:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Jan 11, 1:34 am, Randy Webb wrote:
> >> BarrRep...@gmail.com said the following on 1/11/2008 2:03 AM:
>
> >>> On Jan 9, 9:23 pm, Randy Webb wrote:
> >>>> That is the first time, in 20 years, that I have ever read, heard or
> >>>> been told that fish produce ammonia simply by breathing.
> >>> Yep, take a look at any fish aquaculture text, or fish physiology
> >>> book.
> >>> Ammonia excretion from the gill in teleost fish is essential for
> >>> nitrogen elimination.
> >>> Gills are used for "breathing".
> >>> Here's a bit more in depth discussion from a text that covers the
> >>> basics:
> >>>http://books.google.com/books?id=8xwVaWUiC5wC&pg=PA20&lpg=PA20&dq=amm...
> >>> Enjoy
> >> Thank you.
>
> >>> Now consider the toxicity of NH4 and it's algae producing abilities.
> >>> Zeolite, plants and water changes seem pretty good about now.
> >> That was one of the underlying reasons for me trying to get my 55 gallon
> >> tank planted. I was in Petsmart and saw a bag of substrate for plants.
> >> It would have taken 4 bags to get a 2" layer in my 55 at 30 dollars a
> >> bag. My wife would kill me and feed me to my fish if I spent 130 dollars
> >> on substrate for plants. I asked why the drastic price of it and the
> >> only thing we found different, from the bag, is that it was "Clay based
> >> gravel". I found an article somewhere, I can't find it again, where they
> >> discussed using kitty litter for the substrate. I tried an experiment in
> >> a 5 gallon bucket with a non-clumping clay based kitty litter. It looks
> >> like mud now.
>
> >> Any alternatives for a good substrate for plants short of expensive?
>
> > There is two perfectly good substrates for FW planted tanks that is
> > readily available.......less than $7 per 20 pound bag
>
> From where?
>
> > There is not such thing as clay based gravel dude! either its clay
> > or its gravel..........
>
> I am not going to have that debate.
>
> --
> Randy
> Chance Favors The Prepared Mind- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Hah......too much trouble to defend your statements huh.lazy ass! I
swear you sound like your related to TYNK.........Are you perhaps the
one without the dick? I bet you, unlike your sibling TYNK squats to
pee!

Randy Webb · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 21

Tynk said the following on 1/11/2008 8:35 AM:
> On Jan 11, 1:34 am, Randy Webb wrote:
>> BarrRep...@gmail.com said the following on 1/11/2008 2:03 AM:
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> On Jan 9, 9:23 pm, Randy Webb wrote:
>>>> That is the first time, in 20 years, that I have ever read, heard or
>>>> been told that fish produce ammonia simply by breathing.
>>> Yep, take a look at any fish aquaculture text, or fish physiology
>>> book.
>>> Ammonia excretion from the gill in teleost fish is essential for
>>> nitrogen elimination.
>>> Gills are used for "breathing".
>>> Here's a bit more in depth discussion from a text that covers the
>>> basics:
>>> http://books.google.com/books?id=8xwVaWUiC5wC&pg=PA20&lpg=PA20&dq=amm...
>>> Enjoy
>> Thank you.
>>
>>> Now consider the toxicity of NH4 and it's algae producing abilities.
>>> Zeolite, plants and water changes seem pretty good about now.
>> That was one of the underlying reasons for me trying to get my 55 gallon
>> tank planted. I was in Petsmart and saw a bag of substrate for plants.
>> It would have taken 4 bags to get a 2" layer in my 55 at 30 dollars a
>> bag. My wife would kill me and feed me to my fish if I spent 130 dollars
>> on substrate for plants. I asked why the drastic price of it and the
>> only thing we found different, from the bag, is that it was "Clay based
>> gravel". I found an article somewhere, I can't find it again, where they
>> discussed using kitty litter for the substrate. I tried an experiment in
>> a 5 gallon bucket with a non-clumping clay based kitty litter. It looks
>> like mud now.
>>
>> Any alternatives for a good substrate for plants short of expensive?
>>
>
> There is two perfectly good substrates for FW planted tanks that is
> readily available.......less than $7 per 20 pound bag

From where?

> There is not such thing as clay based gravel dude! either its clay
> or its gravel..........

I am not going to have that debate.

--
Randy
Chance Favors The Prepared Mind