How to Fishless Cycle Shrimp Tank / Fish Aquarium Using Dr.Tim's Products

[@sixtyforty]

Hi Christine! I'm new to this hobby (about to start my first tank) and I just wanted to say that out of all the research I have done, this video was by far one of the most helpful things for me. It can be so difficult to find easy to understand guides for beginners. Thank you!!

[@inquisitivealbertan1712]

By far the best video I have seen for fishless cycling an aquarium, thanks so much for posting.

[@christineha5824]

Thanks for your kind words! :)

[@HugoCornellier]

This is the best video on the Nitrogen process! Thanks!!

[@Hman27]

I started off completely new to the hobby, and using the methods described in yours and Dr. Tim's videos, along with a bit of research, I was about to cycle my 5.5gal tank in 12 days. I picked up 5 RCS at a LFS and managed to get all females; 3 berried and 2 saddled. Since then one of the saddled shrimp have died (stress I believe, parameters are good) but the rest are doing great. Just waiting for 10 more that I've ordered online to arrive. Thanks for the video.

[@pudgethefish4443]

I love this video, great delivery. I don’t agree with the 100% water change part though...maybe 50-70% also pothos plants (put trimmings directly in the filter)are great for sucking up nitrates..maybe try it out and save your self from loosing all that bacteria you just built up. Oh and to anyone reading this...USE CONDITIONER BEFORE YOU PUT THE WATER IN YOUR TANK....that chlorinated water will kill ALOT of your beneficial bacteria for sure

[@christineha5824]

Pudge TheFish Thanks for the feedback! I use remineralized RO so it didn’t even cross my mind to mention conditioning tap water. Oops! And the bit about the plants is something I also do. However, bacteria live on surfaces and not the water column, so a 100% change wouldn’t affect the colony. A 50-70% water change is fine as long as nitrates are low enough for introduction of aquatic animals. It just depends on the current water parameters. I notice that this method releases A LOT of nitrate so I always do a 100% and test.

[@pudgethefish4443]

Pothos plays are the shizznit, also “100% water change “ sounded daunting, i guess as long as the substrate isn’t being disturbed or doused in chlorinated water, then our little bacteria babies will be okie day...again awesome videos

[@kellyphillips600]

I’m currently cycling a 50 gal, and honestly u explained the process so perfectly! This is my second tank, and honestly thanks to ur video I understand the cycle so much better now. More so the levels that everything should be at and remain at during the cycle. Awesome! Thanks again.

[@dcsb3]

Thanks, Christine...your video is super easy to follow and understand; just some extra info, if I may: the directions/formula on the newer bottles of Dr Tim's ammonia has changed/been updated on the bottle since then, new formulation now says 4 drops per gallon; if still have bottles that say 1 drop per gallon, that will stay the same for that specific bottle/formulation; also, on the website, the photo chart is saying to use the whole bottle of Dr Tim's One and Only, so probably also best to go to the website, look for further information online/and in their videos; ~ happy cycling everyone! :o)

[@Jason-kd8mv]

Christine, wow great job! One of the best video on Cycling new tanks! Instructions was clearly explained and was easy to understand. Fishless/Shrimpless cyling tank is most humane way to cycling a new tank. You've helped saved a lot of fishes/shrimps from needlessly dying from unrecyled tank by helping others to cycling their new tanks properly! Keep up the great job!

[@youtubesubscribed867]

Why did you make a second account to promote your video that's dishonest

[@Jason-kd8mv]

KZbin Subscribed Am as real as if I were to punch you in the face! But hey, you're on internet so you can hide behind the keyboards and make some stupid comments and not face the real consequences as you would in real life right? Your stupid comments just make you look like a fool jerk. Reread your comments and you'll see what I mean. Being nice always better than being a jerk! Jerk guys get nowhere with girls except a punch in the face!

[@youtubesubscribed867]

+Acura Safe looks like the fake accounts getting mad.

[@terrasimon1]

I know this is 4 years late but THANK YOU! this has helped me so much! There is really no other video out there explaining the cycle as you have.

[@dascudder]

Probably the best video out there for the Dr Tims Ammonia. Good job

[@TurtleRawrrs]

Thank youuuu for this explanation. I didn't quite follow what you said to do word per word but I just finished my first week and am already at nitrite spike with ammonia dropping to 0 within 24hrs :)

[@OceanTruth]

Awesome how to cycle your tank video! You did a great job explaining it and you made it sound extremely easy (which it is) so beginner fish keepers don't get scared off by it. Hopefully, they'll start off the right way and do a fishless cycle from the get go.

[@OceanTruth]

Christine Ha It's best not to throw too much information all at once. I remember when I first researched how to cycle a tank it was pretty overwhelming because I thought there was a lot more involved than there really is. A part 2 to add on more information for those who are ready for it sounds like a good idea.

[@virginiajoyce2]

This is the best video I’ve seen yet on fishless cycling. Thank you!

[@Balithazzarr]

Hey, a little bit technical but finally something that explains the vast amount of total time it takes. (I've heard up to two weeks). So I guess we are trying to grow this beneficial living stuff on the glass and on the filter media, and sand and gravel too. Why do we eventually have to stop feeding it the nitrifying bacteria? Has our bacteria baby grown up? Do we have to then add fish right away to keep it alive or it dies and becomes uncycled? Oh how the small things are mystifying!

[@christineha5824]

Well, you only want to feed so much it can handle during the cycle, and then when you do the 100% water change, the source of "food" comes from whatever aquatic life you've introduced into the tank. Your bacteria baby will then feed off the waste produced from these animals. So yes, you need to add fish/shrimp/crabs/whatever right away. If you don't plan to, you can continue adding 1 drop of ammonia per day during the cycle until you're ready to introduce whatever new family members into the tank, do a complete water change, wait a day, and acclimate slowly. =) (Sorry for the late response. I've been MIA from KZbin for awhile.)

[@crotalus2011]

I ran a tropical fish store for 12 years and taught this method to many people. I've always used 100% pure ammonia with no additives for about a dollar a gallon so I can imagine what this guy makes on his tiny bottle. I made up small mesh pouches of gravel that I would nest into the gravel in my undergravel filter systems to let them develop a bacteria culture. I've had good success doing a fishless cycle with the marineland bacteria culture but if you have a local fish store that still uses undergravel filtration you can ask for some "seed gravel". The bags I made were the size to fit in most power filters. The thing is to put it in the water flow. The store bought bacteria culture could be the best way of insuring no parasites or disease gets in your tank. They weren't available when I ran the store so I don't have much experience with them. Just one tank I cycled with the Marinland product and it worked fine.

[@ronrosen5731]

Watched a bunch of how tos on this topic and yours is the most easy to follow, clear explanation of this process. Thank you. Wish some of my teachers has been like you.

[@melissamariee710]

This is the best vid I've found on this on KZbin

[@feeldafury]

Thank you Christine for showing newbie like me how to cycle a tank. With all this information I received from your video. I can now set up my tank and cycle it as well.

[@avenger038]

great video , very nicely explained . im mid cycle at the moment and im itching to get my fish and plants lol! but im being patient ,just about ! thanks christine ,done beautifully! aww cute pooch too lol, wants to be a star :)! thank you for doing this video!

[@avenger038]

no probs, i having a community tank , still reading up on what fish are good together ! :) also what plants to get also alot of reading and visiting the local aquarist but its all good . now my mom and brother are interested in getting a tank :). hope yours is going well, im still cycling . hopefully not long now :)

[@jlathem56]

This is the best explanation I have heard, ever! You are AWESOME!

[@christineha5824]

Thank you! I appreciate it! =D

[@gmlasam]

Great video👍. Your video was the most informative and easiest to understand from all of the videos on this subject on KZbin. Thanks

[@christineha5824]

Thank you! I really appreciate that! =)

[@eponine72]

Awesome video and very good explanation of how it works. Wish I had seen this a few months ago, but now I know for any future tanks. Thank you so much!!!

[@gunnerneikoify]

Best vid on this process so far. Thanks soooooooooooooooo much Christine!!!!!!

[@johnm4875]

Great explanation of the nitrogen cycle. I found Dr Tim's products to work better than anything else I have tried. Your vids also turned me on to shrimp which I am adding to my new Nano tank. Thanks and keep the information coming.

[@johnm4875]

+Christine Ha (Shrimp Things) My favorites are Amano Blue Tiger and Red Cherry

[@pastelshades2860]

Thank you for this video! It is great for a visual learner. If I just hear something I don't retain it as well as when I see it also. The graph and written instructions along with you repeating it helped so much.

[@christineha5824]

Thanks for watching! I am a visual learner as well, so I'm glad the video helped! =)

[@jessicalee6026]

Good method! What I do (and seems a bit easier) is add a small bag of ceramic from another tank that's been in there for at least two weeks. I keep an extra bag in one of my tank for that! Then I use Stability by prime. It takes only one week for it to fully cycle with Stability! My ammonia was at 8ppm and it went down to 0 within a couple days! My tank was fully cycled in I think 8 days. Works great! Seems a little less complicated than the two bottles your using. You just add a certain amount daily for a week. And it's will detoxify ammonia and nitrites for around 24 hours. Since your adding it everyday, it means the fish wouldn't be affected by it and you can have fish in there during the cycle of you really wanted! Prime by seacham also detoxifies ammonia and nitrites, so I used some of that too!

[@jessicalee6026]

So now I can't respond to your message ;) I did not add anything except the seeded media and Stability (and extra Prime as a dechlorinater). The ammonia just "appeared" haha!

[@feeldafury]

+Jessica Lee : Can you make a video on how to cycle a tank. I would like to see more method of how to cycle a tank. I am new to this hobby. The more information out there the better for newbies like me.

[@MrBluejaymac]

This video is SO helpful! You made this really easy for me to finally understand! Thank you!

[@ChrisLocke1969]

best explanation and planned process I've ever seen... GREAT STUFF, thank you!

[@ChrisLocke1969]

+Christine Ha (Shrimp Things) I don't keep shrimp, I'm a fish guy... cichlids mostly. I do have a planted tank and had an expensive Vampire Shrimp in there, but he jumped out and died :(

[@jerzyguy3824]

Awwww that was soo cute your dog gives you a kiss for doing a great job on this video. dont stop makeing videos. good job and ty. im new to this you. made so easy to. understanding about and

[@rayville308]

I just wanted to say thank you... you cleared a lot of things up for me and made this easy. Great job!

[@christineha5824]

No problem! Thanks for watching! :)

[@Domo_Allygato]

I'm using a similar method but was kind of lost... so thank you for the video!! Bookmarked :)

[@Desperado070]

Minor point to add, most fish just breath out ammonia basically. Nice video and for sure dr tim bacteria are the best on the market.

[@fanho6099]

Hi, I am just new to this hobby and I have a question I wish someone can answer. 1. Should I remove all the rocks, plants before doing the fishless cycle? Would that affect the process? Thanks.

[@TetePeralte]

You should not, that’s what the bacteria builds up on. Put everything that you want in your tank (decorations, plants) before you start cycling!

[@FridayFishFacts]

Wow. You do a great job explaining the nitrogen cycle. I’m going show this video to my co worker who is having trouble understanding. New sub (My name is Ron De Santis)

[@anadaanurak9129]

Under optimal conditions, Nitrosomonas may double every 7 hours and Nitrobacter every 13 hours. More realistically, they will double every 15-20 hours. This is an extremely long time considering that heterotrophic bacteria can double in as short a time as 20 minutes

[@MsArtemis01]

Going to try your way of using Dr.Tims product. I'm using it, but my nitrites are really not going anywhere. So going to try your step 4 method out. I'll see how it going in a week.

[@Slawsers]

Great video :) good for beginners wanted to start a tank

[@deegeedee2598]

Fantastic video. Thank you. There's so much info out there about it which is overwhelming and confusing but this is the best I've seen. Well done! =]

[@christineha5824]

Thank you! I really appreciate it! =)

[@orinjfish9424]

Hello- Lets say the tank is cycled (hooray) When should we clean the filters, after doing a 100% water change, or before? I have a 90gal With two Eheims 2075 and 2017. Also any suggestions adding City Tap water into a large tank?

[@Vinokski.Fishkoto]

nice vid!!! very helpful especially for me coz iam planning to do shrimp tank,,thanks....

[@wanlok82]

Hi Christine, for the water change I need to drain out 100%? You mean need to sccop out all of my cycled water out from the tank and refill again?

[@christineha5824]

DANNY ONG The water itself isn’t cycled. The bacteria live on tank surfaces, like your substrate and filter. You want to drain as much water as you can to remove all the nitrate buildup in the water column. That is dangerous to livestock. :)

[@aznblueboi916]

Will this method kill my plants in the tank? Im doing a fishless cycle and have lots of plants in the tank already. How much nitrates are produced? I read that too much nitrates can burn my plant roots :( Great video and directions btw! Really straight forward!

[@christineha5824]

Thank you! Life has been busy, busy, busy since baby boy arrived, so I hadn't had a chance to really respond to comments. Nitrates will be off the charts, so it *may* burn your plant roots, but I haven't had that issue personally, although I have only done low-tech plants and mosses. Appreciate the feedback, and thanks for watching! :)

[@darrendempsey3190]

Great vid on cycle thanks!

[@yosae]

Thank for the vdo...very well done...

[@simonamos9468]

great video explained very well thankyou.

[@14Heat]

very helpful video. I have a 180 gallon tank with 50 gal sump (maybe only 30 gal water in there) so around 210 gallons of water. The 16 oz says its good for 240 gal so can I just dump the whole bottle in my sump? No harm in having too much nitrifying bacteria right?

[@Jwhiser1302]

Excellent presentation!!

[@spangler2k3]

Easiest video to follow. Definately going to sub!

[@spangler2k3]

+Christine Ha (Shrimp Things) my 55g tank is scheduled to have 12 glo tetras, 6 guppies, 10-12 black Kuhli loaches and an ornamental piece such as a pair of GBRs, or a pair of angels. are shrimp a possibility to throw in the tank? it's all fake plants, and pool filter sand bottom

[@raghurns81]

so is a 100% water change when you dumb out all of the old water and fill it with new water? great video btw

[@miap5255]

thank you so much for this video!!! I was so stressed about how to start the cycle, I just wasn't getting it honestly but your video made it way more understandable. one thing I have a question on is when you do the 100% water change do I still add a conditioner in the new water (I have seachem prime as water conditioner. if thats not a good conditioner please let me know too)

[@christineha5824]

If you are using tap water, then yes. You should add the conditioner to the tap water before pouring it into the tank. =)

[@michaelgill1032]

Great video that helping a lot however I have one question. My ammonia is showing zero after day 8. But my nitrites are sky high.. do i need to add ammonia to feed the first bacteria while the second bacteria grows to consume the nitrites

[@iestrton]

Great video, awesome job :)

[@GinDestiny]

Thank you so much for this video! It's going to help me greatly with cycling my 5 gallon Fluval Spec V tank! I'm going to be adding a betta fish once it's cycled. However, I do have a couple of questions: 1) When I'm starting to cycle the tank, should I add water conditioner first? I have the Seachem Prime. 2) When doing the 100% water change, can I use a siphon vacuum? Will this remove all the bacteria from the gravel/silk plant? 3) Also with the 100% water change, can I add tap water directly into the tank and then add the conditioner? Or do I have to condition the water first before add it back into the tank? 4) After it's cycled, do I have to clean the filter media (with the tank water) or I can just leave it there? Thank you in advanced! My tank and everything else will arrive today.

[@GinDestiny]

+Christine Ha (Shrimp Things) Thank you so so so much!! Very helpful information!

[@GinDestiny]

+Christine Ha (Shrimp Things) So sorry to bother again! I added all the stuff Wednesday (aug 19th), tested my water today (Aug 21st), and everything is at 0ppm. Did I do something wrong? Should I add more ammonium chloride? Thanks!

[@GinDestiny]

+Christine Ha (Shrimp Things) Sorry for the late reply! I don't know why I'm not getting notification for this. On that same day (Aug 21), I added more ammonium chloride and tested the water and I got 4ppm ammonia. I tested it again today (Aug 24), and my ammonia is down to 2ppm. Still nothing on the nitrite or nitrate though :[ Hopefully I'm doing it right.

[@deegeedee2598]

Wonderful video. I originally watched this years ago when first starting out and it really helped me. I always recommend people watch this when they ask basic questions about fishless cycling. Re water changes, there is actually some media out (Biohome Ultimate from Filterpro.co.uk) there that help you build up bacteria large enough that they can also handle nitrates. I rarely do water changes in my tank and when/if I test the water, nitrates are at a minimum.

[@aaroncook5573]

Hi there I am doing this cycle now I have put my second dose of ammonia in, my ammonia has dropped to 0 but my nitrites have gone to 3-5 ppms? What do I do :) thanks

[@karunald]

My Nitrites are off the charts high and Ammonia is 1 ppm. Would like to know what you did.

[@deanp4180]

Hi. Great video. One of the best I’ve seen. Thanks. Question though, I’m using this exact method of cycling my reef, so on day 3 of my cycle my ammonia is down from 2 ppm down to .5 and my nitrite is 1.5, my nitrates are 75+ already. With this method it appears you are holding off on a water change until this whole thing is complete right? Even tho my nitrates are already high?

[@DynamicRedo]

Thank you! so easy to follow. Though the ammonium chloride has been changed on the bottle to 4 drops per gallon, should we keep it at that? And after testing and adding more ammonia, do we add 4 drops per gallon again? Or do I double dose each time, making it 8?

[@christineha5824]

I would double check to see how much ammonia each drop actually adds. I would start with 4 drops per gallon if that is what the bottle suggests and go up from there, mixing/testing every hour until you get the right quantity.

[@loginpc4254]

great explanation.

[@christineha5824]

Thank you! ^^

[@ngocly8943]

Best video, can I add plants in the beginning? Thank you

[@tamajquinn4418]

Ngoc Ly the high ammonia levels would likely kill the plants.

[@tamajquinn4418]

Lol wait, this might help. kzbin.info/www/bejne/naa3YnqBf5ydf9E

[@lenbloor2704]

Very informative video

[@harshilpatel9350]

Hello Christine Ha I have a question about fishless cycle. I have a freshwater 20 gallon fish tank. Running on 2 days without any product use in it because I ordered dr.tim one and only, ammonium chloride, aquaclense, first defense. So my aquarium run 2 days without any product but on 3 rd day when I got my items I go ahead and watch DrTim fishes cycle video recipe and follow bottle direction and put into my aquarium.now before put products in aquarium I test my water and here is result Ph- 7.6 High PH- 8.2 Ammonia- 0 Nitrite- 0 nitrate- 0 Now I add dr Tim products as per instruction like Aqua cleanse 10 ml in 20 gallon First defense - 10 ml for 20 gallon dr tim one and only 60 ml - 2oz as per direction whole bottle dr.tim Ammonium chloride 80 drop as per direction - 4 drop a gallon and mine 20 gallon aquarium Now I wait 30 minutes and check result for my knowledge and its here Ph- 7.6 High PH- 8.2 Ammonia- 2 Nitrite- 0 nitrate- 0 I read the article how to do fishes cycle and wait 24 hours and next day means Day 2 I test water as per fishless article and here is result Ph- 7.6 High PH- 8.2 Ammonia- 2 Nitrite- 0 nitrate- 0 I see ammonia 2.00 ppm but no nitrite so I wait for another day but I don’t add nothing in water now Day 3 Ph- 7.6 High PH- 8.2 Ammonia- 1-2 Nitrite- 0 nitrate- 0 Still no nitrite and as per article ammonia should to go down below 1 ppm I guess but not sure what do I have to do because I’m new to hobby and don’t know what to do please help me. Thank you.

[@NhanPDX]

Hi Christine, thanks for this helpful video. I am cyclying my 2.5gal .. 1st day: i dose 5 drops of ammonium and it give me close to between 2-3ppm with 1 fullcap of One & Only. Does it sound correct to you?

[@blackframes7386]

Sorry I was confused so nitrifying bacteria dose everyday? Thank you

[@BUJU2007]

This was so helpful

[@christineha5824]

Yay! I'm glad! :)

[@CelebrityPebbles86]

good advice , cute dog.

[@christineha5824]

Thanks! =)

[@sarahcaldwell3576]

So I have a nano fish tank set up with Guppies. But I want to add cherry shrimp. I know my ph is low but idk the parameters. I know I need Nitrate for the shrimp. How do I get Nitrates up without hurting the fish?

[@HmoobThor]

Good if you are starting new in the hobby. I cycle my tank in a day.

[@yosae]

+Hmoob Thor Koj cycle ib nub le caag nua!!!??? Useing pre cycled sponge filter??? dose it have side effects???

[@yosae]

+Hmoob Thor Koj cycle ib nub le caag nua!!!??? Useing pre cycled sponge filter??? dose it have side effects???

[@tamivelez9476]

Advice? My Ammonia read 0.25ppm, Nitrite 5.0ppm, Nitrate 20ppm would you recommend a 50% water change?

[@C4_84]

Great vid thanks! 👍👍

[@philipwood8776]

Thnx for the great video

[@ericc3406]

Thanks for your video, Dr.Tim's One and Only Nitrifying Bacteria and Dr.Tim's Ammonium Chloride Solution , Do they must be used together? I only have Dr.Tim's Ammonium Chloride Solution. Thanks

[@pilarbradford3526]

Do you change your water at all in this time?

[@vyctorialuong9727]

One question I did the nitrogen cycle in 24 hours but in the end ammonia 0 nitrites where at 1 ppm.can i put the fish in

[@Kapybaraaa]

Is it bad to fishless cycle with plants? Because I heard that the bacteria and plants can compete for the ammonia thus causing not enough bacteria to grow

[@Kapybaraaa]

okay thanks for the help and clarity!

[@MatildaBaker-kw7hc]

Help! I have a tank I’m setting up and every time I try to add water, it’s always super foggy. And I have rinsed everything multiple times. Could it be the lighting?

[@tripfontane6706]

Christine, can you explain one thing - I don't understand the complete water change at the end. Doesn't that undo all the effort done prior to build up that beneficial bacteria and nitrates? Isn't this needed in the water, and if we do a complete change we have to start over? Thx!

[@christineha5824]

The beneficial bacteria grows on SURFACES of the tank. They do not float freely in the water column. All of the waste they produce floats freely in the water column. That's why you have to do a 100% water change before you introduce anything, but as long as you keep tank surfaces wet, they will survive.

[@ralph9975]

Hi Christine. Noobie here. Starting a 1gallon Opaeula tank. I'm using distilled water for the brackish water mixture and use API Quick Start for the cycle. So I'll do 100% water change after the fullcycle (after ammonia and nitrates are gone)? Like removing the "cycled" water and replacing it with another brackish water mixture?

[@ralph9975]

Christine Ha Just started building my tank and cycling! I've been watching your videos especially the Opaeula. Thanks for all the info!

[@sqtreasurehunting269]

question... the bacteria does get into the tank naturally without adding bacteria right? kinda like algae? but of course would take longer

[@christineha5824]

Yes, it does. :)

[@sqtreasurehunting269]

@@christineha5824 ok thats what i though thanks.

[@thecrabhab1115]

When ordering Dr Tim's One and Only make sure that you have enough. The 2 oz bottle is only enough for a 30 gallon tank. make sure you buy enough for your tank because I made the mistake of using the internet video as instructions and my tank took way too long to cycle because I added the 60 drops of ammonia for the one drop per gallon but only had enough bacteria for 30 gallons. Remember the Dr Tim's One and Only is 2 oz for every 30 gallons. This means if you are going to double dose like this video is recommending that means you want 4 oz for every 30 gallons.

[@christineha5824]

Thanks for that tip! I only have tanks smaller than 20 gallons, so didn't really consider larger tanks that may need a larger quantity. >.

[@jennywarunee]

You are very awesome!!!!!

[@larrysinmycloset6195]

I'm currently trying to cycle a 5.5 gallon tank for a betta fish. Iv'e been looking everywhere, though i can't seem to find Dr Tim's One and Only nitrifying bacteria anywhere that ships to my country. I can find the ammonium chloride though and i was wondering if i could use that as a substitute for pure ammonia and use it without the One and only as i can't find ammonia that ships to my country either ?

[@AGUILAR3]

I have a 10g shrimp tank with 2 hob filters and I'm in the process of starting a 2nd smaller 4.3 cube tank using 1 of the filters and old water from the established tank. Will that yield me an instant cycle?

[@tonyv1505]

so cute thanks for the info

[@christineha5824]

Thanks!

[@salmonthebluefish3767]

Hi, do you know if you will need more than one bottle of nitrifying bacteria for a 30 gallon tank

[@MultiMrs6]

Once my tank is cycled how much ammonia do I add in order to feed the bacteria whilst I can find a fish I like

[@4u25out]

I added Aquarium salt in my 40gallon tank, (use recommended dose)will the salt kill good/beneficial bacteria? ...Thanks in advance.

[@Slawsers]

Also I have a question are nitrates safe at zero I always had them around zero after tank got cycled I'm guessing it's cause I do water changes twice a week 10%

[@elliotheisler1437]

How do I do a 100% water change? Do I just take all of the old water out and replace it with completely new water?

[@DeFreeseAquariums]

Great stuff

[@christineha5824]

Thanks! =D

[@jessg1214]

Im confused. When you do the 100% water change doesn't that mess up the cycle in your tank?

[@tekopikin]

Hi, it does sound very confusing as a 100%would imply a complete water change i.e. every drop of water in the tank. 10-50% is usually recommended depending on your tank's situation - I tend to do a 20% weekly change (I have a well established planted tank) which removes the nitrate build up...bacteria will replenish itself. Hopefully Christine will clear this up for both you and I 😊

[@christineha5824]

+Jessica Guillen The cycle builds up your bacterial colony on tank surfaces. They cling to things. They do not free float in the water column. Only the waste accumulates there, so when you do a 100% water change, you are NOT removing any beneficial bacteria, just the chemicals they produce. If your tank has already cycled (aka built up enough of a bacterial colony) by the time you do the 100% water change, the water change will not affect your beneficial bacteria at all. A 100% water change will only mess up the cycle if the beneficial bacteria HAVE NOT yet converted all the NH3 to NO3, which means the tank is not yet cycled (aka has not grown enough bacteria to handle waste in your tank), which means you should not do a 100% water change until it is. You will know it is cycled when your bacteria can convert 4 ppm NH3 to NO3 within 24 hours, which is mentioned in the video. =)

[@christineha5824]

+tekopikin Water changes as maintenance should be done on a weekly to biweekly basis depending on the needs of your tank (in simple terms, based on how much and how fast nitrate accumulates). I do a 10% change every two weeks because I have floaters that take care of most of the nitrates. But when you are cycling in this manner, nitrates accumulate to over 600 ppm because of all the ammonia you are introducing to the tank during the cycle. The safe zone for shrimp is 0-20 ppm. Ideally, it should be 0-10 ppm. If you don't do a 100% change after the cycle, the accumulation of nitrates will pretty much poison most of what you introduce into that tank.

[@tekopikin]

+Christine Ha (Shrimp Things) Thanks, it now all makes sense to me. We are talking fishless cycling, so there's nothing in the tank besides water and plants - I hadn't realised that when I responded yesterday 😊

[@christineha5824]

+tekopikin No worries. There are many different methods to cycling a tank. This is just one of them. =)

[@francispaulmichaelmejia4103]

Nice!

[@DamienHorta1289]

i had a old tank that was sitting with water but empty no fishes or pump runing for 2 years , yesterdya i cleaned it out took out the filters and try to clean it just squising the spong under tap water and now im using the filter in a new tank, and i used the test strip next day and i detect small amount of nitrate but no nitrite, and when i open the lid i can smell the typical smell of a established aquarium, what should i do?

[@christineha5824]

You should cycle it. =)

[@johnlucero9843]

Thank you is this for fresh water only or saltwater ?

[@christineha5824]

I probably should have specified that this is my experience with freshwater tanks. I've never tried this on saltwater, nor do I know much about saltwater to offer an opinion on it. Sorry!

[@williammcpherson5444]

Yes this is the same for saltwater tanks.

[@MichaelMulin]

lmao i do instant cycles with cycled aquarium media

[@Mimi-fr8gf]

Please help. I am cycling my 200l tank for 7 weeks now and have only seen a ammonia spike to 2ppm that have now dropped to .5ppm. I have nitrates between 5-10ppm BUT I have never seen a Nitrite spike? I test my water every morning, could I have missed the Nitrite spike? I've also tested my tap water for Nitrates to be sure there isn't any in the tap water and it reads 0ppm. Am I almost cycled or has something gone terribly wrong? Using API mtk

[@TheCupfulBoy]

I thought we add half dosage after first full dosage until it drops to 0 in 24hours then give it last full dosage

[@fanho6099]

Hi everyone , I have started my cycle around 2 weeks ago. Today,my ammonia level has reached 0ppm but the nitrite level still remained at around 2.0ppm. Has anyone experienced this before. Thanks.

[@eb4676]

Im new finally got my Evo tank filled ups tib saltwater, live sand and rocks now I need to cycle it. I have the exact bottle but I have bio spira by instant ocean which I assume it’s ok right?

[@starwars2078]

Would you recommend using a sponge filter for a 10 gallon tank?

[@starwars2078]

Thanks so much, does this one look okay to you? www.amazon.com/XY-2831-Sponge-Filter-Aquarium-10-gallon/dp/B0056XVF82/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1440474191&sr=8-1&keywords=sponge+filter

[@starwars2078]

Hey thanks for the advice earlier, but I wound up going back on myself and I seem to be going with a 5.5 gallon starter kit. It comes with a HOB filter, will that be fine for them?

[@markruddy3227]

I'm using Dr. Tim's O&O. I followed the directions to a T. My problem is that I havn't seen the Am drop below 2.0ppm(using API). Their staff has been great at responding to emails and said it would be OK to do water changes using dechlor only, not Prime which is what I'll use later. I did a water change and my readings were all over the place(but it had been less that 24hrs). Do you think the Am will eventually come down? How long should this take? It's been 10 days since I added O&O. Also what do you use after doing water changes? Is Prime ok? Thanks!