There is No Reason To Do THIS in a New Fish Tank

Hello Everyone,
In this video we talk about why we should not be using live fish to cycle a new tank. It causes a lot of stress to the fish and can introduce disease as well.
If you want to learn more about nitrogen cycles, ammonia and nitrite check out these videos.
Nitrogen Cycle: • The Nitrogen Cycle - F...
How to Cycle a Tank Instantly: • How to Cycle a Fish Ta...
How to Lower Ammonia: • How to Lower Ammonia i...
How to Lower Nitrite: • How to Lower Nitrites ...
Our new shirts can be found at: www.primetimeaquatics.com/merch
Want to become a Prime Timer and see behind the scenes fish room videos? Consider becoming a member:
/ @primetimeaquatics
For the latest in the fish room check us out on Instagram primetime_aquatics
If you want to see all the cool stuff Joanna does with other types of scapes check out her channel!
/ @thesmallscape
Check out flipaquatics.com if you are looking for these awesome fish!
We would like to thank our channel sponsors for 2022: Flip Aquatics and Fritz Aquatics. For 2022 our fish are being fed Northfin Foods from flipaquatics.com! They help make what we do here possible and are worth checking out!
#fishkeepinghobby #fishtank #aquariumfish

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I have seen a few comments about how people do fish-in cycling after adding beneficial bacteria. That is not fish-in cycling. At that point you are not using the fish to cycle the tank. The beneficial bacteria have already been added and at that point it is safe to add small numbers of fish from the beginning. That is why I listed Fritzyme 7 as an alternative to fish-in cycling in the video.

[@larryc835]

Oh those poor fishies. Nobody likes to admit the excess mortality, brown burned gill filaments or secondary infections. Fritzyme, used wood and gravel and sponges from a well established tank is how I just set up new 33 g long.

[@i.870]

Would be good to see you explain this in more detail in a future video because from what I've read (im still very new to the hobby so reading around a lot and pardon my ignorance if what follows is incorrect) I've found most consider bacteria starter kit plus fish (usually a day later) as a "fish in cycle". The explanation given is that the tank will not reach the point where you will read zero nitrite and ammonia for roughly another two weeks (therefore not cycled), and that during this period it requires daily monitoring of water parameters and very regular (daily or every other day) partial water changes to prevent the nitrite and ammonia levels from reaching toxic levels where they harm the fish. As opposed to a fully cycled tank where testing water parameters and water changes is more of a weekly thing.

[@cristianmartin1996]

I have four tanks I have down this method and I’ve had them for 10 months lol

[@fbasantajr]

I agree, I think the cycling of a tank teaches the hobbyists the most important lesson to succeed. Patience

[@johnmcdonald1810]

@@i.870 i read much of the same thing about bacteria….but further reading, and my own experience with Fritzyme7 led me to accept the benefits of that particular product. Once i added ot to my aquarium, i started seeing results (small amount of ammonia, to nitrites and nitrates in 24 hours. And im not even getting sponsored by them. ;)

[@BirdLadySpeaks]

I did a same day, fish in set up about 2 months ago. I followed Kavman’s instructions and used seachem prime and stability. IT WORKED. I started with 2 Bolivian rams and 2 electric blue acaras. Didn’t lose any fish. I later added 2 Angel fish, some Cory’s, snails, and 2 more Bolivian rams. Haven’t lost a fish. 💛💛💛💛

[@dimitrijekrstic7567]

Gill burns don't have to end in death! They are still hurt tho

[@pelhamsaquatics]

Nice Jason! I keep extra sponge filters in well established aquariums for several weeks, when I set up a new tank, I use the working aka oldest sponge, for the new tank. Been working great since 1974 and beyond🙂👍🏻💯⭐️

[@andystokes8702]

We live in an age where instant gratification is seen as the norm. I'm old enough to remember setting up my first aquarium, guided by an experienced aquarist and was disappointed when he told me I couldn't put fish in it for at least a month. Even then it was a question of adding fish slowly, a few at a time. The tank wasn't fully stocked for about 6 months. Nobody is prepared to wait that long these days, they want to fill it with water at lunchtime and have it fully stocked by teatime.

[@kosys5338]

Stocking my tanks always takes me about six months, I always take my time and add fish slowly. I usually leave a month in between, I add some fish wait about a month then add a few more. I just set up a 90 gallon tank of schooling fish and that took me almost exactly 6 months to stock. Patience is a must in this hobby and patience will save you a lot of money in losses.

[@andystokes8702]

@@kosys5338 45 years ago when I set up my first tank this was the generally accepted way of doing things. Water chemistry and fish physiology have not changed so much in less than half a century as far as I know.

[@BenOchart]

I remember black skirt tetras being recommended as the “sacrificial” fish. I never went this route. Bringing over BB from an established tank and/or products like Fritz Zyme 7 is truly the way to go. Thanks Jason!

[@MrMattemannen76]

I did a fish in cycle with a few lemon tetras, then added more after awhile...6 months later, haven´t lost a fish and all are well. Added beneficial bacteria before adding the fish. Had lots of fast growing plants from the start which probably helped a lot too.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Adding beneficial bacteria is not a fish-in cycle then. That's why I highlighted it as an alternative.

[@MrMattemannen76]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics oh ok, I thought adding bacteria in a bottle and adding fish just after is a fish-in cycle :) Thanks for the reply.

[@mrhellboy218]

I've always had good success using Seachem Stability to cycle a new tank. One way I do it is to use fish food as the source of ammonia to cycle a new tank. So I would add a small pinch of food each day, plus the Stability. Then test regularly for ammonia, nitrite and nitrates. Also adding some plants is great too.

[@dhammaboy1203]

Me too - the only way this ever goes wrong is when people dont read the directions. Also i do start with a light fish load - maybe 6 juveniles in a 90 g. Regardless - it absolutely works!

[@cooliipie]

Same here

[@psycobasschick]

This is actually how I was taught to set up a tank as a kid since it was how fish tanks were done in the 80s. I recently set up an old tank I have and put plants from an extremely over planted tank (removed 2/3 of the plants from a 2.5gal tank with tetras and a snail, still heavily planted, which went into a 10gal that then looked well planted). Fish probably went in too early as I struggle with impulses control, but I haven't lost any. A lot has changed in the over 30yrs I've had tanks (started as a literal toddler), but I keep learning.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

If you want to learn more about nitrogen cycles, ammonia and nitrite check out these videos. Nitrogen Cycle: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnfTf2etjcygnKs How to Cycle a Tank Instantly: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIe0hZyYlLiVkNk How to Lower Ammonia: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a52QgYKfeMhjmqs How to Lower Nitrite: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aaWbqqRjrsmCl6c Our new shirts can be found at: www.primetimeaquatics.com/merch Want to become a Prime Timer and see behind the scenes fish room videos? Consider becoming a member: kzbin.info/door/YVN7EN0ALL6CE4U7NpMUTAjoin For the latest in the fish room check us out on Instagram primetime_aquatics If you want to see all the cool stuff Joanna does with other types of scapes check out her channel! kzbin.info/door/PEZk1MpOTGiBVh6BtWjlRg

[@johnmcdonald1810]

Fritzyme7 works very well for me. I used it 6 mos ago to help cycle a 36 gallon tank with three cherry Barbs. I started with empty tank, used fritzyme7 for a week, and the the cherry barbs introduced, and API testing EVERYDAY. BY 18 th day i was fully cycled. I saw a small ammonia spike on day 15 and went to nitrites and nitrates in 24 hours. I still use fritzyme7 every time I do a water change… 26 fish later, i have Never seen ammonia or nitrites since I cycled. Lots of plants too.

[@ReneesZooTube]

I use Seachem Prime and Stability or FritzZyme 7 and Fritz water conditioner daily for the first 1-2 weeks with daily water testing with strips with fish in plus plants and used filter media if available. Works wonderfully, I don't have to do lots of water changes, and the fish do incredibly well.

[@Keunt]

I think one more thing worth mentioning especially with how popular aquascaping is becoming is the huge amounts of ammonia that aquascaping soils can produce in the first few weeks, you can be doing the right things by carrying over established filter media and using beneficial bacteria but still get big ammonia spikes.

[@SS3paranormal]

Point well made as if buying iffy amazon and such they never mention it causes huge amonia spikes and new people to the hobby won't know.

[@Eden_Rivers]

I take my time and do a fishless cycle. I used the Fritz bacteria, used media if I have it, and a frozen shrimp. I also really like to plant my tanks and get them growing before I add fish. Jason, you have the best video on cycling.

[@jaclyncritesJesuslovesyou]

Very precise and informative video. Yes, we have so many options now to cycle a tank without having to use the fish in cycle. So thankful there’s even more info out there on how to save the fish from suffering, such as this video!! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!!

[@reggie2803]

Having learned from past experiences, there is nothing more important than patience, patience, patience. I don’t introduce any fish to a new tank until it has been running for over 30 days and well established with used media. I am sure I could introduce fish sooner but since my fish are not cheap, I’d rather do it my way. So far I haven’t lost a single fish. I love my fish like people love their dogs. 🤗

[@pelhamsaquatics]

Hello , it’s actually a good thing to add a few fish to keep the beneficial bacteria fed and alive. Otherwise the filter media bacteria will starve and die. But everyone has choices it’s a great hobby, have a great day🙂👍🏻

[@TarasTankFriends]

@@pelhamsaquaticsHey Jeff, you only have to keep adding little bits of fish food that decomposes in the tank to feed the bacteria, though...I don't mean to come across as disrespectful, but live fish aren't needed for it. Might take a little longer, but it's worth it imo. I do have a lot of respect for your time in this hobby, so I hope you don't take me the wrong way. Hope you have a nice weekend! 🙂

[@TarasTankFriends]

@Reggie You probably could add fish sooner, but I like your way better than fish-in cycling for sure! No reason to harm or stress the fish. 👍 Also, my apologies, didn't intend to hijack your comment.

[@pelhamsaquatics]

@@TarasTankFriends oh no worries tara🙂 just for a fast cycle using well seeded sponge, a few fish will keep the bb alive with virtually no ammonia spikes, no harm or stress to the fish. Food decaying would work long term from scratch, but I think the bacteria would starve in the mean time. No disrespect taken or given🙂👍🏻

[@TarasTankFriends]

@@pelhamsaquatics I'm glad to hear you didn't take me wrong! 🙂 I think you're correct in most cases with the fish food decaying, but I do have one, the aqueon shrimp pellets, that will give me ammonia readings in a new tank within 24hrs. (Most other foods I've tried do take a few days.) Don't know what it is about that particular food, It's really old, maybe it's gone off, lol, but I don't feed it, just keep it around for cycling and keeping qts cycled. However if the sponge or media is really well seeded and adequately sized, you could add a couple fish, which I've also done and it was fine, but I totally understand the op's abundance of caution.

[@juliaheinritz3264]

I have used Fritz Turbo start as well as some seeded material from another tank.

[@alejandrolisdero4531]

I agree 100%. This video reminded the way I started my first 10 gallon tank, 32 years ago. In those times the only water test parameter I had was a PH liquid one. We were blind. Thanks to technology and best practices, now we can keep a lot more delicate and variety fish. A great shout to aquarium tech products!

[@alejandrolisdero4531]

In those times, water changes routine was: ▪When PH was going down, do a water change. ▪When PH was steady, don't change water. 😎

[@steveliang5838]

I'm really glad you brought this up. Key thing is patience. I normally add beneficial bacteria and still wait 4-6 weeks in the mean time I do maintenance on my plants and algae. Then add 1/2 the fish I planned for that tank.

[@MrMattemannen76]

you add fish food or another ammonia source before adding the fish?

[@steveliang5838]

@@MrMattemannen76 on the 4th week I start adding snails. It's part of my maintenance of my plants and algae as part of maintenance

[@MrMattemannen76]

@@steveliang5838 I meant you must add an ammonia source for your beneficial bacteria or they will die.

[@nanafish7845]

Always use Prime and Fritzzyme 7. Haven’t lost a fish due to new tank startup. I usually run the tank a few days before adding fish. Will also put something from another tank in the new tank just as a precaution. I primarily like to swap out sponge filters. I keep sponges and sponge filters in running tanks to keep beneficial bacteria alive.

[@allyleech]

Really glad you mentioned this, I’ve just purchased my first tank and I want fish but I’d rather wait and cycle the tank, adding the fish later than hurt them now. Thanks for the advice

[@jeremymoore450]

Jason, I have learned a lot from you and Jeff on the nitrogen cycle. I have recently got back into the fish hobby. Man the stuff that has changed and the chemicals we have now makes it much easier. I set up a 20 gal tank and I did the whole cycle where I waited a few weeks to add fish. I added the bacteria and some fish food to start the process. I added live plants and I added a few fish later after the tank was running for a while. Patience is key and they don't tell you that at the big box stores. I added a few fish and added the bacteria and kept testing everyday. I finally have the cycle and the tank seems to be holding now. I added a few fish every 2 weeks tland the bacteria and the stress coat and the aquarium salt. I didn't know the benefits of all this stuff until watching you guys on KZbin. I only lost 2 fish and one was my daughter's fault because she played with my filter on the back of the tank. I think that is pretty good for a new beginner. I used the API chemicals for everything that stuff is great my fish are so healthy now. Question I started up a 5 gal nano tank. I added 6 neon tetras to the tank. I want to add a snail and probably a shrimp or 2 is that fine can I add more neon tetras like 2 more? What do you recommend. I hate the 1 in of fish per gallon seems like a rule that someone made up and it doesn't take into affect other things.

[@audrisampson]

I am really surprised LFS and chain stores haven't cashed in on this by offering pre-seeded sponge filters for sale to people who buy new tanks.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I’ve seen some that sell cycled bioballs. It’s a really good idea on their part. Saves a lot of issues.

[@valiaudet3415]

I use the filter and rocks from well cycled tank and place in new tank. Thanks. Like the short video too.

[@cichlid_kings]

Well said Jason , your knowledge is much appreciated 😎

[@James_Hande]

I'd like to chime since I got started in the hobby back in the early 60's and learned quiet a bit from the old timer shop owner. I started with a 10G setup. The owner had me buy all the equipment and test kits. He also "gave" me a pair of feeder guppies (a bit healthier back then) and told me to start watching the ammonia levels and do a partial water change when there was a reading. I changed some water every day and started watching the nitrite levels and again doing partial water changes. Keeping both levels at the minimum. Before long the tank was cycled, I then returned the healthy guppies back to the shop and picked up my fancy guppies I wanted so bad. I should add though that our area water supply was 6.8 pH which helped keep any ammonia levels the safer ammonium. After that I usually used old media when setting up new tanks, once in a blue moon I had to use the fish in cycle method but not often. Would I recommend fish in cycle now? No not really since there are other ways to jump start a cycle now.

[@petervandieren]

I cycle my tanks with patience. Cheap and works very well.

[@andrewmiller3767]

Well said sir. I value and appreciate your care and kindness towards fish. Each one of them fish is a biological, living creature that depends on us to do the right things.

[@BjornUltimatum]

I'm curious on what your take is on using water conditioners, like Fritz and Prime, that detoxify ammonia and nitrite for 48 hrs as means to aide in fish in cycle.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

It's only a temporary fix - the ammonia will keep coming back until the bacteria are established.

[@lakeshiamills1454]

Not that you asked for my opinion but I believe a lot of those products are made with the understanding that most new fish keepers have no idea what they are getting into and will make the inevitable mistake of basically doing a fish in cycle without the knowledge of how to do it the right way. They are bandaid solutions but help in a pinch, and can be crucial to survival of new fish. They have other amazing uses as well, but the hobby I'm general is full of folks that are not going to take the time to do research before jumping in head first. I'm pretty sure the same could be said for other hobbies as well. As much as I love the fish keeping hobby, new fish keepers I think have it the worst when it comes to preparedness as opposed to new reptile keepers or new small animal (ferrets etc) keepers. Most people just thinks it's a fish just add water, and are less likely to actually try and get more info then in other pet keeping hobbies. Sucks for the fish, unless people like prime time aquatics continue to do what they do and educate the masses.

[@HalfManHalfCichlid]

I have surplus bags of crushed coral, pot scrubbies and foam blocks in my sumps. I just transfer some of this media to a newly installed aquarium, placing the already seeded media in the HOB or cannister filter. I have never had to wait through a cycle.

[@JKFishKeeping]

Love Fritz. Great and important video 👊

[@TheBackyardBirder]

I know you're passionate about this, as we all should be, and you sure climbed on your soapbox to make this clear this morning. Thanks on behalf of fish!! Willem

[@jeffhester1443]

I've have started several tanks now with fritz fishless fuel that will give an ammonia dose around or a little over 2ppm, then fritz refrigerated turbo start 700. Within 24 hrs. 0-0-0. It's the darndest thing. Add a couple fish and in about 3 days detectable nitrate. Take it slowly from there but your off to the races. I really think this is the safest technique for a beginner without access to est. media, or test kit even. Just follow the directions on the products.its amazing to watch it work. Great video as always, thank you for sharing them with us.

[@aquatic_daydream]

Awesome video! Reminds me of your in-depth video on the Nitrogen cycle. Always great to hear from the likes of a microbiologist!

[@BardstaleGoldens]

I have been using fritz complete and 7 and have had great success. I find fish in cycle very stressful - glad I have an established tank I can seed a new sponge filter with now. This hobby is teaching me patience that’s for sure 😊

[@CristinaMN2006]

Haha yes I always keep an extra filter or two running in case I need to setup an extra tank at a moments notice (shiny fish at the store).

[@MattsAquatics]

All your tanks look amazing!

[@brianthedisabledaquarist7959]

Excellent video and I totally agree with you.

[@katharinemarkotan5674]

So recently I cycled my new 20 gallon tank without fish using Fritz Fishless cycle and Fritzyme 7. I've always wanted a Betta tank on my desk so after an accident with the 5 gallon I had planned to do minus betta, I had to buy a new 5 gallon tank. While at Petco, I found a little Betta that I had to have and ended up doing a fish-in cycle. BUT I used the sponge from my cycled 20 gallon, + Fritzyme 7 + Fritz Complete and almost daily testing of the tank. The tank cycled and Ziggy my betta came out just fine. It took a lot of work though but it was worth it.

[@jeffalbillar7625]

Good husbandry goes a long, long way, Ma'am.

[@lewashcliffe]

I started my 29 gallon tank in January using Fishless ammonia along with live bacteria cultures. Added plants after a few days, but did not add my first fish for about 2 weeks after making sure to daily test water parameters. Worked like a dream and my aquarium is thriving better than ever with a few ups and downs. Personally, I love lots of live plants and feel this really makes a big difference in the overall quality of my water.

[@ryanmepham4855]

As someone who has been keeping fish for 6 years and had 3 tanks running at the time (one was my quarantine/grow out tank), I ran into this recently and made me feel really foolish. I’d just purchased some new fish to compliment my main tank and put them in my quarantine tank, as you do. What then followed was a cycle and an outbreak of ich. Unfortunately I lost all but one of the new fish. My lessons from this were: a) even though it hadn’t happened before now, ALWAYS keep new fish in a quarantine tank and treat it as such. It literally saved my existing fish; and b) properly cycle any tank that has a change in stocking. This is where I went wrong and I might have faired better with ich otherwise. The worst part is I have a sump full of spare media for this reason! Oh, the surviving fish from that batch, an Oto 😂 It’s been in the main tank for a few weeks now!

[@invaderjoshua6280]

Everyone that keeps fresh/salt tanks should just keep extra sponge filter sponges or bio media rocks in their tanks and filters at all times. It makes cycling instant and worry free. Also all stores should start carrying cycled media from invert only systems for sale for new owners.

[@larryc835]

I use FritzZyme 7 and Monster 360. Great video.👍👏💯

[@alekkoomanoff7281]

Jason Thanks much for approaching things from a science-based perspective. I'm surprised at the lack of knowledge sometimes these days.

[@cellardoor2197]

I add media from a cycled tank as a kick start with a dose of bottled bacteria. Usually dose double the recommended in liquid ferts. Then wait a week and test waters. Go from there

[@wendihamlett105]

Thank you!

[@WarrenVenter.]

I use old filter media such as as filter wool that's been in a filter for awhile. Alternatively I'll add filter media like ceramic rings etc to an established tank a few weeks before the new tank is setup.

[@BradClarke]

When I first started out, I used Prime and Stability with fish food initially. Now if I set up something new, or have an event that harms the beneficial bacteria, I use Fritz Zyme 7. It works very well.

[@JDfan3340too]

I instant cycle with sponge filters I keep seeded in my tanks just for new tanks. But I also add fritz zyme 7 as well. Has worked for me many, many times.

[@Mattluck89]

I have to agree, why cause unnecessary stress on any fish? That being said, I like to cycle new tanks with plants and snails from my existing tanks. If you don't have any tanks, get plants from a fish store that come out of an already cycled tank. The more the merrier with plants. I also like to squeeze out used filter media into new tanks, which probably has a similar effect as the Fritz Zyme and other products. Edits: spelling

[@andreashessler838]

If I haven't got a cycled filter (which is rare!), I still use surfactant free ammonia like the old times. You can then dose to a level where you can add a lot of fish once cycled and not worry whether you have enough beneficial bacteria.

[@cajanir]

Great discussion! As you noted since it is now possible to instant cycle a tank (whether with chemicals, used media, rocks, or substrates) there really is no reason to put fish through that level of stress.

[@jeffalbillar7625]

It has always been possible to instantly cycle a new tank

[@Trevorstonge]

It doesn’t bother the fish at all if you actually keep up with keeping the water clean during the cycle

[@cajanir]

@@jeffalbillar7625 That is a good point, since used filter media etc has always been an option. I probably should have said it is more widely understood how to instantly cycle a tank.

[@jeffalbillar7625]

@@Trevorstonge 👍🤜🤛

[@jeffalbillar7625]

@@cajanir 👍🤜🤛✌️

[@jay-remedy-plz]

Gary Lange mentioned during his room tour with Keeping Fish Simple- it’s silly to wait a month to add fish to an aquarium if used filter media is on hand. I’m glad you’re essentially agreeing with that sentiment. He then said he added over 100 fry within an hour after seeding a tank followed 24 hours with a big water change. Same as we’ve always done. Seed the tank. Fish size and species dictate the rest.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Absolutely!

[@littlemidwestrebornsdolls]

Thanks for the information Jason. I like the way you explain everything. 🐟🐠🐌🐌 ~Gina Hetlage

[@SkullAquatics]

Glad to see this video and I agree with you 👍👍👍

[@LaviniaNova]

New to the hobby. I bought a 10 gallon aquarium at Petco because I would like to get a mystery snail, shrimp and live aquatic plants. And maybe a Betta later on. I had a Betta years ago and never new about cycling, nitrates, etc. But Indy lived about 2.5 years. I'm glad the Petco rep explained the cycling process. I had the tank running for a week, I added some fish food to provide some material. Today, they tested my water so going to add the plants. Today's rep said to heat the water to 80 degrees, but was wondering if 75 to 78 would be OK? I would like to get the snails and shrimp this weekend 🤗

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Bettas prefer water around 78-80. Neocaridina shrimp can do fine at that temperature, but they don’t live as long (their optimal temps are in the upper 60s or low 70s).

[@andystokes8702]

There's actually more to this than you have mentioned here. There is a balance between the bioload (the amount of fish) and the capacity of the filter (the more media the more bacteria it can support). To take an extreme example, you have a 50 gallon tank with a huge canister filter, Fluval FX6 for example. You do a fish-in cycle using just a couple of guppies and after a few weeks your tank is cycled, zero ammonia, zero nitrite and low levels of nitrate which you sort out with regular small water changes. On the face of it the tank is now cycled - and it is - for 2 small guppies. Problem is that you have very small numbers of beneficial bacteria in your filter, they will grow depending on the amount of food they get, ammonia or nitrite. 2 guppies produce very little waste, you will only have sufficient bacteria to support that level of waste. Even though all the parameters are good you cannot immediately go to full stocking level because there is always going to be a lag between the bioload and the quantity of beneficial bacteria; an increase in bioload will cause more beneficial bacteria to colonise the filter but it doesn't happen overnight. Chucking 20 African Cichlids into this tank in one hit is really not a lot different to putting them into a brand new set-up. They need to be added gradually over time to allow the filter to catch up with the increased bioload.

[@roystevenson1297]

hi this was a great video i really like ur Chanel it's I have a question I bought some flither media from fluval it's called bio fx they say you have to replace it every 6 months now the question is do you think do really have to replace the media I have a 75gal African cichlids tank I have a fluval fx6 on my 75gal African cichlids tank 14 in now

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

If it’s bioballs it never needs to be replaced. I replace or clean floss every week and clean sponges weekly as well.

[@stoneysscapes7544]

I wish that all the new folks jumping into the deep end of this great hobby along with a lot of the LFS and the BB employees would have 1% of your knowledge on this and all the other fish health videos that you have done , but the quality usually is combined with the passion and I think you are the best of both ! Great luck to your fish room and I will be excited to get the updates leading up to the PTA premiere in the redesigned space!!!! P.S. I have a feeling that it will take you 1/2 the time to get the space you need and the word of mouth is the best way to get that 💰 from the many friends that you have, most people are more than happy to a actually pay what you are asking for 🎬

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you!

[@bradnasarzewski932]

I do keep extra sponges in my filters but all the same I never cycle with the fish I intend to keep. I use Rosies or feeder guppies to cycle a new aquarium. There’s many things you can do to keep these fish alive, healthy and comfortable during a brand new cycle. Small water changes, adding bacteria in a bottle and neutralizing ammonia and nitrite with prime. These small feeder fish are expendable because at the end of the day you’re gonna feed them to an Oscar anyway.

[@sweetpea2888]

Great info Jason, what are your thoughts on using something like pond or ramshorn snails to cycle a new tank?🤔

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I use them to keep a tank cycled, but haven't used to to cycle a tank.

[@AnotherCatLady-]

Currently cycling a 75 gallon and everyone thinks I'm crazy when I start trying to explain why I'm not going to toss some fish in it right away. I think fish are some of the most abused and neglected pets and it's a real shame considering that all of the information is out there. I appreciate you making this video, hopefully it can reach people who aren't informed about the nitrogen cycle before they bring fish home.

[@dhammaboy1203]

Tell me about it! I have vegan friends who are animal lovers who have kept fish for years without doing water chages thinking the filter cleaned the water. Fish are so mistreated and mostly its unintentional ignorance!

[@lruddy8820]

to be fair breeding is so glamourized, constantly talked about and such a big part of the hobby and done irresponsibly you can treat fish like a throw away item because they been bred to a point they kinda are, any care guide you look up will include a section about breeding and any local online marketplace will be infested with "$1 assorted guppies" or corys and sometimes tetras and fish just die sometimes so you kinda have to harden yourself to fish death making it easier to be neglectful or abusive to your fish, but if they were bred right with a little more selectiveness a little more focus on genetic health and a little more of an investment we would have better fish they would die less we would care for them more fish death would affect us more and we would give them better care, im about to start a breeding project of tiger platies because its always been an interest of mine and before i ever start i have plans on how im going to care for the fry, what im gonna do with the fry once they have grown, how am i going to maintain genetic health of the fish and avoid inbreeding and i have back up plans for all those plans and i have back up plans for my back up plans and to pull a line from jurassic park, im sparing no expense

[@yournumberonepal]

I keep extra sponge filters. Kids won some goldfish from the fair, pulled a tank and hob filter from the garage, filled with water and then pulled a big sponge from my main tank. Instant cycle. Added more bacteria to both tanks for a couple days to be sure. Just pulled that same sponge filter out today, a few months later to a new tank.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

That’ll work!

[@randomtube8226]

Seachem stability also works great for adding fish. Just as important to have plenty of bio media for the bacteria to establish on.

[@tonyadams4726]

I do a combination of everything but an in fish cycle I throw food in there, I have a ton of different items and filter media in there for the bacteria to grow on. Last I put in the Fritz 7 or API quick start. I learn about all of this the hard way so since then any new fish keeper I meet I help through this process to include giving them all the above items

[@amazingaquaticsandexotics3030]

awesome vid

[@CristinaMN2006]

I have done fish in cycling many times. I just very very light stock the first 6 or so months. There is a substrate too that has beneficial bacteria Eco Complete that I have used sometimes to help. I rarely ever lose any of the fish I use to cycle a tank.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

As long as you're not getting the ammonia or nitrite it's fine, but beginners don't know how to do this.

[@CristinaMN2006]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics yes I would also recommend a hearty fish like a zebra danio or a healthy tetra like a lemon tetra or a head and tail light. I would only put max 3 or 4 in a 55 gallon tank or 1 or 2 in a 10 or 20 gallon. I find the newer fish keepers start w a small tank and they are harder to balance and less forgiving.

[@WhiteCloud746]

superb

[@PlainsPup]

I like to cycle new tanks with beneficial bacteria seeded from the filter media of established aquariums, while using food, bladder snails, and occasionally hardy fish like bettas or guppies to provide the waste for the cycle. I find this speeds up the process around four-fold, going from 8 weeks to achieve an established biological filter, to only about 2 weeks.

[@lruddy8820]

When i set up my first tank i tried a fishless cycle, ised fritzzyme 7 and used multiple ways to spike the ammonia so the bacteria can have food and get established after about 3 months of stalls and regressions the person at my LFS suggested doing a fish in cycle so i did changed 15-20% of water daily and added fritzzyme 7 daily after every water change kept this up for 4 weeks altho my ammonia and nitrite tests read zero after 2 weeks, now i can just grab gravel, filter media, decor or plants from an old tank put it in a new tank to get the cycle started, i work in a petstore and tell people all the time the hardest tank to cycle is the first one

[@sergeiz.5815]

Happy Friday 😁👍

[@FishFace2216]

Ive cycled loads of tanks for family, friends and myself over 10 years using seeding, bacteria from a cycled filter, ask a friend to wash their filter sponge in tank water add that to your tank i like to feed in filter using a turkey baster, leave enough to seed substrate and rocks add a few small fish next day never had or known to ba any losses or problems. People ive set tanks up for have stocked their tanks in one/two weeks and never any losses to water parameters usually always an odd dodgy fish that struggled with the transportation and acclimatising. Seeding with live bacteria from an established filter is the best way to cycle a new tank unless you don't have that option i would add plants and snails on day one, add air stone, day 3 depending on tank size just add one small fish dont feed and be patient for a few days/week, if ammonia and nitrites good then feed your fish very little should be good to add another fish and dont feed and repeat and slowly build up that way. Adding these bacteria in bottles and clear gels creates high ammonia and nitrite without adding any fish from what ive seen happen a lot so i never would recommend them especially if adding a fish to cycle i would always cycle without it just add one fish depending on tank size and apply a lot of care and patience you'll get there in time.

[@beephex1]

Seems like planting the whole tank first would work better than fish, no?

[@jeffreyboster6899]

I agree with what you said.

[@TarasTankFriends]

I know people still do it and I'm baffled. I'll l admit that I did it once when I was new: When I got my first fish (betta), I only had a vague idea of the nitrogen cycle. (thought the tank just had to run empty for a few days). When I asked the big box employee about it, she told me bettas are tough and don't need that. LUCKILY I decided to look up more about it, but only after I got the fish home. Thank goodness for channels like yours! Ran out and bought a test kit, did 50% water changes every single day on the 5 gallon for about 1.5 months until it was cycled. I'm sure it stressed my betta out and I feel bad, but I've known better since. When I set up a couple more tanks, I didn't have enough cycled filter media, so I added a tiny bit of fish food every day. Since ammonia tests "lie" 😉, I look for nitrites to show, and then 40 ppm nitrates with zero nitrites. Once it gets to that point, I do a water change, keep adding food, test again in about a week. If it's consistently only showing nitrates over the course of a few weeks, I consider the tank safe enough for a couple small fish, but I monitor that too for a while. Now, I have plenty of cycled media of my own to use, but I still monitor it in the beginning and add food, and that can go as fast as 24hrs. Patience is key, no reason to harm living things when all you need is some fish food or cycled media, less work than daily water changes, too! Thank you for this video! 👍👍

[@pgemmill]

I use a good, well recognized, tank conditioner (API). It puts the beneficial bacteria in. I usually start my tanks with ghost shrimp. That's it. Introduce a minimal amount of shoaling fish based on what is recommended for those particular fish and the size of my tank in about 10 days. I use live plants. Part of my water and part of my filter media will come from an active, established tank. Works well for me.

[@kosys5338]

I agree that there is zero reasons to use live fish to cycle a tank, if you do so your just rolling the dice and hoping all goes well. With that said if you do use fish and they survive, it doesn't mean you didn't put those fish through a lot of stress and suffering. I don't use fish to cycle a tank, I use two awesome products to accomplish that task, first product is Fritz's Fishless Fuel and the second product is Fritz's Enzyme 7 Bacteria. Both of these products do an awesome job and they do it very quickly. if your going to setup an aquarium for the first time then you owe it to yourself and your fish to do a little research about the nitrogen cycle of an aquarium. When it comes to fish keeping it is a must to understand this process and how it works. Happy fish keeping everyone!

[@jimfiore4671]

That's why I use a used cycled filter, add live ap bacteria or whatever brand, let it run for a day or so, then add my fish. Super simple and it's ALWAYS worked for me. I've never had a problem and I have MTS (multi tank syndrome). So it's a lot of tanks I've done this way. God bless

[@janets9179]

I wonder if you could use a turtle to cycle a tank since they don't have gills and spend a lot of time basking. Also they put out a lot of waste. I have a turtle, and he doesn't seem that sensitive to ammonia. Not really recommending this, but wondering if this has been done.

[@Anthony-kn1oq]

What about using a product like primer that makes the ammonia and nitrites not toxic? Does the stuff work?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

It just extends the cycling time.

[@supertoyota]

Always been sceptical about these bacteria-in-a-bottle products. It is supposed to be aerobic bacteria so how does it survive sealed in a bottle? Stupid question maybe but always wondered about that. Is it not just a source of ammonia like adding food to a new tank? Before I had several tanks where I just moved filters or media over from already established tanks, I added some food, waited for nitrite to hit zero (usually took anything between 2 and 4 weeks, longer for saltwater) and then slowly started adding fish.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Great question - they are stored in a glycerol-type solution which prevents their growth and brings their metabolism to almost zero. When placed back in the proper environment, your fish tank, they start metabolizing and dividing again.

[@FishTankMonsters]

How about using safe or prime to detoxify the ammonia and nitrite and adding sea chem stability?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

It can help, but the neutralizers also prolong the process.

[@FishTankMonsters]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics oh I never knew that thank you my friend that is good to know it is funny thing is I set up a 540 gallon tank my arowanas and tiger shovel nose out grew there 220 I put in cycled media and the ammonia is at 4 ppm and has not got higher nor lower it has been at 4 ppm for 2 weeks is that normal I prefer a fish less cycle but I had no choice I add prime every day when do you think I will see a drop in ammonia I feed to a mimnal and I removed the waste every day fish are doing good just cloudy water and ammonia maintain at 4 ppm😫please help jay

[@johncameron4194]

I had to do one with ammonia and bacteria let it cycle and when it was done then I added fish

[@taylorcaudil8058]

I definitely agree with new hobbyist not doing fish in cycles just due to lack of experience. that being said with seachem prime, and stability (or fritz 7, have had success with both) you can successfully and painlessly cycle a tank with a few fish. would love to see a comparison or a collab video with @KaveManAquatics on the topic for he does a few videos about it!! love your videos Prime Time!

[@Trevorstonge]

Prime time is weird how y’all only love the comments of the people who agree, it’s safe honestly. Just because they don’t agree with your opinion you don’t feel like treating them like other people, that’s okay we see you

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I don't get a chance to recognize every comment, unfortunately. I try the best I can, but there are hundreds that come in every day on the many hundreds of videos I have done.

[@ryuuichiwu3662]

It also grinds my gear when people buy comet goldfish "feeder" fish to cycle their tank And then if the gold fish die, they die, if they live- who knows what they do with the poor thing. I remember talking to one customer who said he just feeds his living comet to the stray cats outside

[@ravagedcore131]

I think if you add prime every 2 days for the first weeks and have live plants and keep stocking low and proper feeding that is how 3 out of my 5 tanks started I used used filter media for another and the Reef tank was 4 month fish in cycle battle much more stressfull as less is more in saltwater tanks that I have finally won and 7 months in looks fantastic. All in all if you make a ECOSYSTEM tank I think you should be okay to add some fish right away prime it and monitor parameters. Thoughts or am I a bad fish owner.

[@Joes_Aquatics]

I am starting a 375 gallon tank soon. Can’t I use pound bacteria? So much cheaper than fritz and more concentrated lol

[@davyr4302]

I wish I knew this :( Growing up in small town in south India, 27yrs ago, I had an aquarium with goldfish and guppies, some danios and angels, and plants and pebblestones/sand came from a good sized lake about a mile from home. Water was from open well and everything just went well, blissfully ignorant & lucky kid. The lake gave me all the good I needed. Got a 15G aquarium, dechlorinator, and an air pump few months ago, stocked it right away with 8 small feeder goldfish, 4 guppies & 2 rubberlip pleco. Lost all guppies, plecos and 3 goldfish. Horrible situation to be in, felt pathetic. Learnt a whole lot since then, remaining 5 goldfish grew fast and big and luckily found a LFS, with pond of Koi & goldfish who accepted them. Now I have only guppies and danios with lots of plants and all is well. Lesson learnt hard way.

[@andreacasoli3371]

I have a question: on september 1st i've started my new aquarium, that is a 55 liters to replace my 30 liters cube, now i'm waiting the classic month to move fishes and shrimps to the new bigger environment, can I help the cycling if i add already cycled water of my 2 tanks to the new one?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

The water won't help, but the filter media from the cycled tanks will!

[@andreacasoli3371]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics ok thanks, i'll wait another week for the classic cycling month

[@fbasantajr]

Jason, KZbin's that are doing a fish in cycle are limiting what the stock the tank with. Also doing 50% water changes daily as well as adding beneficial bacteria and doing water testing? Your thoughts

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

If they add bacteria they are no longer using the fish to cycle the tank.

[@bayou504ctcL9]

I dont agree or disagree but I never had any negative issues i used seachem stability n seachem concentrate water conditioner ok I had to do a full water change, my substrate,decor still carry beneficial bacteria the only thing new is the filter media and like 2 days later i then add my fish so let me know if I'm doin something wrong

[@lakeshiamills1454]

I agree with you %100, however, I've come to realize that new fish keepers are definitely going to add fish without cycling almost every time unless they do the research first. I couldn't give accurate numbers without a study but I'm sure a good 75 to 80% of new fish keepers will make that mistake. There's no reason for fish in cycle at all but knowing how to do it properly so that the fish make it through the cycle without ammonia burns and fin rot etc is important as well. I won't knock people that choose to cycle with fish I just choose not to do so and do my best to help educate others and offer cycled media to other fish keepers and local newbies.

[@toothpicdinosaur3777]

What's your take on occasionally adding bb to already established aquariums. Is it just a money in the 🗑 ?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I think it’s unnecessary

[@johnglenham4099]

All my aquarium are juwel so i can take a sponge from each tank when i set up a new juwel aquarium.easy.

[@JohnWood-tk1ge]

I was at a LFS and a woman came in asking why all the fish she just added to a brand new tank died,then proceeded to tell clerk that she had also dumped half a container of fish food in the tank. When she asked them how to instantly fix the problem and please replace the fish I had to leave.

[@jeffalbillar7625]

You should have explained to her what went wrong

[@JohnWood-tk1ge]

@@jeffalbillar7625 the clerk was and I didn’t want to add to her discomfort.

[@jeffalbillar7625]

@@JohnWood-tk1ge I hear ya, brother.

[@EpicConspiracy]

Use feeder rosey red minnows to cycle your tank.

[@MegaKemper]

Could mulm from an established tank be used to cycle a new tank?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Yep

[@ciandunn5203]

use seachem prime to detoxify the ammonia nitrite and nitrate and the fish will be fine while the tank cycles.

[@longriflem14]

Hey Primetime Ive watched all your videos and this one is informative but Im still confused. And watched over a Hundred Videos elsewhere and still cant see a process of what to do like A to B so to speeak i think ive done ok but tank is crazy cloudy and no algae. New tank owner 36gallon here going on 4 weeks now. Have rock substrate, with some live plants 2 swords and some annubis floating up top with a couple fake plants and have a driftwood in the bottom i have a HOB Fluval 50 with sponge filter and 2 layers of micro filter media pads as suggested took out the charcol pad and the Bio Stones and replaced with a purigen pack. I have a Bubbler and Airator, Test water weekly and just tested yesterday at fish store. Ph 7.6 Ammonia .15 Nitrate 0 Nitrite 0 They said that was good. but my water is still cloudy. Added Clarity and did nothing. Fish are super active dont seem in distress. And been using the prime and stabilty for a week now. And added a Purigen pack in HOB yesterday and went 24hrs with no change. So I am stumped. Looking for guidance.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

If this were my tank I would add Fritz Zyme 7, test for ammonia every day or so. If the ammonia is not building I wouldn't do any more water changes until the nitrates reach 20ppm.

[@longriflem14]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics - ok thanks for that I'll pick up some Zyme 7. But small question should I do a water change already at just about a month?? If so how much? I have not done one yet.

[@missouriman197237]

If you use fish . You need to water change daily till the tank is cycled. There's times when I have more spawns than I have cycled tanks or sponges . So I put them in a tank and do a 40 to 50% water change till. The tank is cycled or the fry has out grown the tank.

[@bojohannesen4352]

Beard looking SHARP today!