How To Cycle A New Aquarium The SAFEST WAY

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[@TMAquatics]

Always teaching us something new. Once a professor, always a professor. Stay awesome! 👍

[@DansFish]

Thanks, TM!

[@mariaz9538]

Excellent!!! Can't wait to see the new fish in the annex. Nice job Dan 💕👍

[@DansFish]

We are SOOOO close, Maria!!!!

[@richardwaldhouse8067]

Another awesome video Dan!!!

[@nursebeckus1643]

Oooh this is neat! Good content dan thanks for sharing 🙂

[@DansFish]

Glad to, Nurse Beckus. Thanks for being an awesome part of the community!

[@orangeaquatics]

Great video as always Dan.

[@DansFish]

Thanks, Orange...I appreciate you watching!!!

[@pauloalves4337]

Thanks for a new aproach, at least for me, on cycling a tank. Been in the bobby for over 20 years and never saw this method. U just got a sub.

[@DansFish]

Thanks for the sub, Paulo. You can also use snails, scuds....pretty much any small organism.

[@PalmerAquatics]

Im a huge fan of what your doing dan. I learn things from you ALL THE TIME in your videos! I'm doing a similar build in my detached garage. Your progress is blowing mine away though haha

[@DansFish]

Thanks, Palmer. I enjoy your channel as well. Good luck with the build....looking forward to seeing how it turns out!

[@theloneaquarist]

Very cool idea.

[@DansFish]

Thanks....glad to have you around, Lone!

[@popparock6506]

cant wait to see um full!

[@DansFish]

Meeeee tooooooo!

[@Aquatasy]

Fascinating! I would not have thought to use "wiggly spaghetti" to cycle a tank. I also like your lava rock method for transferring the beneficial bacteria. Pretty ingenious plan all around and sooooo much easier than trying to cycle so many tanks all at once by traditional means. Brilliant!

[@DansFish]

Thanks, Aquatasy. I've cycles several tanks this way in the past, but not a whole room at once. So far, so good!

[@TheChubbyGuppy]

Right on. Better than the raw shrimp method for sure. The live worms speed the breakdown and help avoid saprolegnia. That’s the biggest issue using high protein foods to cycle but the black worms is a game changer. Thanks for another great video!

[@DansFish]

Yes....I don't like just dumping stuff into a tank to rot when I cycle. Having critters to break it down is the key to keeping they system "clean" while cycling.

[@Martinlawlovevk]

Wow amazing video ，nice job have a good day🙏🙏👍👍🛎🛎

[@DansFish]

Thanks for watching...I'm glad you liked it.

[@upserlivinthedream]

Thanks for these tips bc I recently developed MTS(multi tank Syndrome).😂 So I am going to try this black worm thing in one of the tanks just for the hell of it to see if it works! 😊🤙

[@DansFish]

MTS...there is no known cure, so why fight it :)

[@thefishylife6823]

Wow this fishroom turned out amazing!!!! My first time seeing it with tanks!! Those mystery loaches Almost look like Garra cambodgiensis ?

[@DansFish]

Yep! The Fish Annex is coming along. I can't wait to get fish in it! The loaches do have a lot of the look of those Garra, but they have the wrong mouth and have small black stripes across the back above the lateral line, so I think they are something else. Look very similar though!

[@drockingfish]

WOW cool, looks good!!! Order the fish!! I am anxious!! If you want to sell me that contaminant loach, let me know, I love them!

[@DansFish]

I feel the same way, Dave...I can't wait!!!! Sure, if you want the loaches, I'd be glad to get them to you.

[@alexsaquatics7620]

Nice 👍✌

[@DansFish]

Groovy!

[@brandonsmalleyorblspinc689]

Like ur style

[@DansFish]

Haute couture for sure!

[@DEXTER-TV-series]

4:30 hey. have you diy video how to make standers for aquariums? :))

[@jimmyfall9302]

How did you prep the lava rock to be safe for use in the aquariums?

[@DansFish]

I just rinsed it out and then put it in the aquarium.

[@AQUAGUYUK]

Patience is the key and to get a full cycle including notrates turning into nitrogen takes 6 months of slow flow filtration but I normally set a tank up and leave for 1 week just running then I would add an ammonia source and live bacteria normally liquid ammonia 1 drop per gallon normally returns 4ppm and keep this up for 3 weeks then on the forth week on the Monday I would test to see if the ammonia is reduced and the nitrites are high with similar nitrates that means bacteria is cultivated I would continue until 0 ammonia 0 nitrite and high nitrates at this point a water change add ammonia test next day id 0 ammonia 0 nitrites and again high nitrates a massive water change and add a small amount of fish this depends on fish and aquarium size i would never add food to a fishless tank as this just pollutes the water but great video and there are things i will now test so thank you sir

[@DansFish]

Nice description of fish-less cycling...thanks for sharing!

[@CaylorsReptilesAquatics]

Just came from a vid about cycling with Ammonia. Great comparison in preferences. Although, I've never used this method. Hope you have some black worms to sell when they've done their job. So how many weeks do you predict before cycles are complete and fish move in. No, I'm not eager to see the new one! lol

[@DansFish]

I think we have another week and a half to go...2 weeks total time. That's just my guess. I'll know when the algae blooms. I can't wait!!!!

[@midthabeast1]

Do your lids have hinges if so can you show them I want to make my own thx great video

[@DansFish]

No hinges. Just a front and a back section. I lift the front section to feed, but it is not connected to the rear section.

[@HermannTheGreat]

Wouldn't it be easier and cheaper to have an established tank with 20 small sponge filters running and just move one of them at a time to all the new tanks? They'd be cycled near instantly I would think.

[@barbarusbloodshed6347]

Yeah, right? I've always got several sponge filters running per tank, more than needed, so that I can just take one and throw it into a new aquarium. I also add a few plants, stones and substrate from the tanks that are already running. I throw in a bunch of snails and shrimp to make sure I've got a clean-up-crew and then I add my fish. Boom. Instantly cycled tank. Never had a problem. But of course Dan doesn't use substrate, or at least not much, same goes for the plants. And I guess in his case it makes sense because he has a lot of "turnover" - lots of fish coming in and going out, so I guess putting substrate and plants from one tank into another isn't an option for him. BTW, my grandpa used to cycle his tanks with a piece of chicken. And from what I hear that was pretty common in the "old days".

[@briannaharter4411]

You don't even need to have sponge filter.just a peice of sponge or a plastic plant will do since bacteria collects on every surface.

[@DansFish]

Hermann et. al,, It might be easier, and definitely makes sense in many use cases, but I'm about to import a LOT of fish and put them in those tanks, so, I want to make sure they have been up and running for a while and the tank is well seasoned before I order the fish. In order to do that, I need a constant ammonia source. I like using a blackworm colony for that source. So, yes, that works in many cases. I'm just not comfortable doing it in my current use case.

[@midthabeast1]

Would there be enough bacteria to go around to establish 78 tanks if you do it this way? there's only so much bacteria per tank

[@chevyfish5373]

Holy cow, that's alot of worms. What a unique way to cycle a bunch of tanks simultaneously. I like how you explain the reasons why you do things the way you do. It gives a better understanding. Thanks.

[@DansFish]

You got it, ChevyFish. Thanks for watching!!!

[@ScottyAquatty]

Looking good dan. It’s ok to use lava rocks for a bbq in a tank just wondering.

[@pauloalves4337]

I have used them for over 10 years and i love them.

[@DansFish]

Lava rocks work great for filtration. Not sure how they do on the grill...:)

[@sharronmiller451]

Wow!!

[@DansFish]

Groovy!

[@sharronmiller451]

I can’t get either live bloodworms or live black worms here. I ordered some and they all came in dead. Stunk to high heaven.i don’t have access to any live food.

[@pfcmagik]

Cool, a test kit is useful in seeing how fast this process actually takes, nature uses the same method, natural 👊

[@DansFish]

Testing and, so far, the bacterial colony is keeping everything under control. Seems to be working.

[@pfcmagik]

Dan love your vids and insights absolutely thanks for sharing👍

[@aquacat_]

Made the mistake of eating breakfast while watching this. It was worth it.

[@alans4281]

I wish you luck with what you are doing. I think enough has already been said by others. Thank you for sharing your unique way of starting the cycle in multiple tanks all at once. You will have tanks cycled with enough bacteria for the daily poop load of a few worms soon . Exactly how you think that’s going to be enough bacteria for the daily poop load of a tank full of fish I am not sure. Without testing the daily ammonia load from rotting food/prawns or even pooping worms you are only guessing I believe? I suggest you add only a light stocking of fish to each tank as you somehow remove the daily worm poop load and have the new level of daily fish poop load.

[@DansFish]

Well, I'm putting in a few blocks of food each day, which is about what I expect to feed the tanks when they are full of fish. That's basically how I know they will handle the fish load. It is not so much about the number of fish or worms. It is about the amount of food digested.

[@alans4281]

No worries Dan , you seem to have a long term plan.

[@dianaconner4469]

Didn’t I see somewhere that black worms are as much bio load as plecos? They should do a fine job of culturing bacteria.

[@PanRybka22]

Pozdrawiam serdecznie łapka w górę

[@DansFish]

Best wishes to you, too, Pan. Thanks for watching!

[@paulhowell8661]

Awesome video Dan, so I assume your gonna start selling fish? The fish room looks great, 78 aquariums is quite the endeavor. What state are you from. Good luck with everything Paul in Kentucky

[@beaka63]

He already sells fish.

[@DansFish]

Thanks, Paul. I'm in Wyoming. I've been selling fish for years. This is just an addition to the current operation. The fish for sale can be found at this link, if you are interested in taking a gander: getgills.com/store.product/Dans_Fish

[@madfishdiva]

Dan, many believe black worm shipments may also carry leeches. Do you test/check for them? My puffers love black worms. My LFS told me to feed my black worms cardboard but its a mess after a month or so.

[@DansFish]

Oh, they definitely have leaches...or at least a flatworm that we call "leaches." Whatever they are, they are totally harmless-not the blood sucking type of leaches we are familiar with from the movies. Fish eat them right along with the worms. Cardboard...that's a new one. Yuck! Blackworms thrive on a high protein diet. Pretty much any fish food will work for them. The will also eat veggies and such, but high protein really gets their population booming.

[@James_Hande]

Frozen uncooked or cooked shrimp? Thanks for sharing Dan!

[@DansFish]

I use raw frozen shrimp. Cooked would probably work just fine too, but I go with raw. I also slice up frozen/thawed tilapia fillets. Also, blackworms are a great way to get rid of old fish food.

[@binky2301]

Not teasing but fascinating that you say s-ee-ve for s-i-ve. Good tip tho. I used snails from my other tank, transferred media and fed a lot of food to rot and start the cycle in my new tank.

[@DansFish]

I guess that is what comes of being raised by a mother who speaks English from jolly old England.

[@MoonSpinners]

@@DansFish ...I’m English, and nobody here says “seeve” it’s always “siv” you made me smile. Not trolling or hating on you. Love your vids 👍😁🇬🇧

[@DansFish]

LOL! I guess that is what comes from being British once removed. 😀

[@MoonSpinners]

@@DansFish ..With what’s going on here at the moment, I’m wishing I was once removed 😂😂

[@Redneckrino]

How did that all work out. I’ll check and see if you had a update video. And can black worms colonize in a tank.

[@DansFish]

Worked out okay, but it did take quite a while. I ended up purchasing a bunch of tetras to finish out the cycle. In the end, I realized my test kit was faulty and everything had been cycled for quite a while...no ammonia spikes once I added fish. In the end, this is still my favorite way to cycle tanks.

[@ravenk6210]

Hey, can someone help me? I’ve been cycling for over a month. Everything was looking good until I came home from a three day vacation meaning I wasn’t feeding the tank ammonium. My ammonium and nitrite level was both at zero and had nitrate at 10 ppm. I immediately got happy thinking my tank was cycled but the next couple days my ammonium has gone up to 2ppm. My question is; is my tank cycled or did o starve my good bacteria?

[@DansFish]

I think it is fairly normal for a new tank to be unstable...especially when there has been a sudden change such as cessation of feeding. Keep going with it. Go slow. Tanks are not really stable for a few months after they first cycle.

[@Mr.Plant1994]

Could this be done on a smaller scale? Would you recommend this for cycling say 1 tank?

[@DansFish]

Sure! You could get a small amount of blackworms (or snails, or scuds, or pretty much any live food that thrives in water) and go with a single tank.

[@peejread2309]

@@DansFish how many weeks until it is cycled? Do you remove the worms before adding fish? Do you add substrate together with the worms or after cycling?

[@stripersniper1531]

That’s a pretty dam cool way to cycle.Nice work

[@DansFish]

Glad you like it, Striper Sniper! Thanks for watching.

[@ricodegallo3060]

👍

[@DansFish]

🕶🎸

[@TheChubbyGuppy]

Highfin vs black worms private?

[@DansFish]

Do you mean the hifin corys? I had a bit of trouble with that vid. Got it fixed and released today.

[@jenniferlong5957]

When you remove the lava rock will it not crash the tank you took it from? Wouldn't the bacteria on the rocks help keep the tank cycled and then you remove it?

[@DansFish]

Sure, the bacteria in the lava rocks helps. But, by the time it is fully cycled and fish are added, there will be so much bacteria living in the filters that the loss of the lava rock won't be noticed.

[@jerryboics9550]

If you were in Australia, that scoop of worms just set you back $60. How many tanks do you have? Lol 78!!?? That over $4500 just to cycle tanks..

[@DansFish]

Glad I'm not in your neck of the wood, then!!! Geez! Any livefood that lives in the aquarium would work: snails, scuds, detritus worms, etc.

[@CodeforFoo]

Just cycle the spong filters, and put them in the new tanks. Why go with the messy way of dealing with worms and lava rocks?

[@hillbillynomad6697]

What happened to the spaghetti dinner for the corydoras 😂😂😂 I just put five pounds of lava rock in my sponge filter cycle tank. Live black worms are kind of hard to find around here

[@DansFish]

I just re-released that video of the corys and the worms. Something happened during the original video that made it very grainy and hard to watch. All fixed now!

[@bouvier1st1]

How do you get the black worms out after the tanks are cycled? Syphon?

[@stripersniper1531]

cheryl jones The fish will take care of that.

[@DansFish]

Fine-mesh nets work. Syphons work. And, the fish will eat them :)

[@MrBoxxed]

What about plants to cycle

[@DansFish]

Sure, plants can have nitrifying bacteria colonies on them, which is good. But they are not going to produce the nitrogenous waste necessary to build a large nitrifying bacteria population.

[@emmanuelramoncerrer6390]

The title is a bit sketchy considering that you explicitly mentioned that there's a possibility that blackworms may harbor disease. I might consider this method though.

[@DansFish]

Others say they may carry disease. In 27 years, I've never had a problem. I was just trying to acknowledge the concern of others. I actually think they are pretty darned safe. At least much safer than fish-cycling which inevitably exposes fish to ammonia/nitrite and fish-less ammonia cycling which can easily go wrong if the chemistry is not done perfectly.

[@fishiontanktics9356]

Alright

[@DansFish]

Indeed!

[@CJBlack265]

💕👍

[@DansFish]

🕶🎸

[@5DNRG]

Hmmm, I thought this process was supposed to be done with a set-up aquarium w plants, etc....

[@Lflower1Stars]

How do you get rid of the blackworms, when you insert new fish?

[@briannaharter4411]

I assume the fish eats them.since blackworms are fish food.

[@DansFish]

Fish love to eat them. I can also just net or siphon out any extras.

[@brettpacker2779]

pledge pin!!!!!!

[@DansFish]

LOL!

[@arturofield1]

This is tubifex?

[@kristenjawor-brady8491]

Ready to CRY! I have a new tank. I used quick start. Didn’t know about cycling. Also had to medicate tank so really probably killed bio! Total crash! My ammonia is .25, my nitrites are 1.0. Did three 50% water changes in 24 hours as per a KZbin video. People are telling me to just let it go. My oranda is spending alot of time in top corner of tank. I have air stones, temp is 71, not over stocked- 4 fish in 75 gallon tank. PLEASE HELP! Should I take fish out and if so I don’t have a cycled tank.

[@JasonSupremebeing]

Eat your food Tiny! Gosh!

[@DansFish]

LOL!!!!!!! I've got a signed DVD of that movie. Just showed it to my kids for the first time a little while ago. I THINK they got it :)

[@feintcantu8194]

Don't they have leeches

[@theloneaquarist]

I believe the leeches found in some farms are specifically only able to feed on the blood of Blackworms. But if you find a reputable supplier this shouldn't be an issue. I've used aquaticfoods.com/LiveBlackwormsM.html before without issues.

[@DansFish]

Yes, but the leaches, if indeed that is what they actually are, are harmless. Fish love to eat them too.

[@feintcantu8194]

@@DansFish ok cool always wondered about that 🙏 thanks for the much-needed info