Tips For Cycling a New Aquarium - Plus: Bring All Your Fish-Keeping Questions!

Hello Everyone!
I thought it would be great to talk about some of the procedures we use to cycle new aquariums! Want to hear from you! What are you excited about in fish-keeping lately? We'll be answering your fish-keeping questions so bring lots!
Here is an Amazon affiliate link for Fritzyme 7: amzn.to/3okHa89
Our new shirts can be found at: www.primetimeaquatics.com/merch
For the latest in the fish room check us out on Instagram primetime_aquatics
For more cool behind the scenes stuff consider becoming a member!
/ @primetimeaquatics
If you want to see all the cool stuff Joanna does with other types of scapes check out her channel!
/ @thesmallscape
We would like to thank our channel sponsors for 2021: Flip Aquatics and Fritz Aquatics. For 2021 our fish are being fed Northfin Foods from flipaquatics.com! They help make what we do here possible and are worth checking out!
Thank you so much for watching!
#aquariums #aquariumfish #fishtank

[@Becks-fi6xl]

Thank you for addressing fish in cycles and how it is not good, I’ve recently completed a fishless cycle using Amonia and a bottled beneficial bacteria, it took 31 days and was fairly straightforward. I then added 7 neons, waited 2 weeks and then added 6 peppered Corys and will continue adding a few at a time. Last year I set up a small pond with goldfish and I did a fish in cycle as I was completely unaware of what happens( never again) all fish were ok but I did see one with black spots on it which I later found out were Amonia burns and I felt terrible. Please everyone cycle your aquariums and ponds before adding living creatures.

[@debraking2516]

So grateful to find out I should be keeping my bottle of live bacteria in the fridge!! Thank you! 😃

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

You’re welcome!

[@mikefisher4834]

When I think of old school aquariums I immediately think of the little diving dog aquarium toy😂🐶🐠

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Yes!

[@Kyddoemiko13]

Mystery snails 🐌🐌✨✨✨ I have two they have pulled up all the young tissue cultures of new plants. Who new they were great at scaping 😅

[@markh.williamsauthor7286]

I've set up many tanks and in process with one now. Always happy to learn from your knowledge and experience so watching this now to refresh.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Have fun with the new tank!

[@schauman1]

Love your channel! I’m Learning a lot!

[@radioearbug]

It has been 10yrs. Since I setup a tank. This video is the best instructional I ever watched. Thank you.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you!!

[@robertevans3097]

Thank you for all of the fish and tank knowledge and tips.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Appreciate you being here!

[@robertevans3097]

WOW THAT'S EXCITING! I'VE NEVER HAD ANYONE ANSWER ME BACK! I AM IN MY 50S AND I LITERALLY JUST LEARNED HOW TO COMMENT AND REPLY TO VIDEOS. What an awesome tool for learning all kinds of new stuff.. I figured as hard as the two of you work the least I can do is learn how to use text to reply to a video... THANK YOU THANK YOU!! SEE YOU ON THE NEXT VIDEO. Let me know if you come to Huntsville Alabama. I WILL TAKE YOU TO NASAS "SPACE 🚀 AND ROCKET CENTER" YOU CAN GET YOUR PICTURE WITH THE OFFICIAL APOLLO OR THE MOON DUNE BUGGY.

[@joeprovenzano4362]

I’m glad I am actually watching this. I’m starting a fish room and rams is one species I wanted to breed. But my water is very hard with a natural ph of 7.6

[@38Jemar]

Thanks that really warmed my heart to know that you think i am the coolest! :]

[@38Jemar]

I know I'm cool btw.

[@TheOfficialSteelReign]

Many apologies. I missed this one. This particular day marked the 1 year mark of losing our kid so, I wasn't on social media much the whole day. Great topic though. I wish I had caught it live to interact with you and the super cool fans you bring in. If you'll recall. I've struggled mightily with the stupid nitrates. I just can't get them to lower down even with large, frequent water changes. I find this conversation fascinating on how people outside the Whip Den deal with it. I love my canisters. Turn them off, unplug the hoses, dump it, fill it, plug the hoses back in, turn it on. Easy peasy. Absolutely agree 110% on the Convict. Yhey are stunning when the hit adulthood and haven't had the parc kicked out of them.

[@TheOfficialSteelReign]

Oh, and Joanna... 😬 ...I'm that guy. I had always been the guy who cycled the tank with the fish I was keeping. Now that I have multiple tanks set up and Fritz has several products to help me put, I don't need to do that, but I'd be a liar if I said I hadn't done that for years.

[@djcmission]

Setting up from scratch, i.e., no established tank. My anchor tank will be a 40 gal. breeder to begin with. Thanks for the reminders about establishing the nitrogen cycle in the tank. The plan is to eventually have a 6 ft or longer planted South American tank with smaller (apistos probably)., more passive cichlids, tetras, corys, smallish (Haha) pleco. If I need more volume, I plan to use a sump, as tanks greater than 18" deep are beyond my fish keeping interests. I've sized a 72"x18"x18" at about 100 gallons, minus filter volume. Thanks for taking the pains to teach elementary microbiology. We all need the occasional refresher.

[@juliaheinritz3264]

Jason You need a jumping mule...they are a really cool, amazing animals:)

[@VictoriaLeeCreates]

Personally got a lite out of this live. Watching ate work dsireing my graveyard shift. Thanks for getting me through the shift

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Stay awake :-)

[@Birdman_Backus]

Jason Gandalf the fish wizard. lol

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Too funny

[@marypaigeflynn4512]

Greatest stream ever my friends!! Sorry I missed you guys we had a family emergency last 🙏♥️🌿🐟🌿💚

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Hope everything is ok!

[@suerutherford4931]

Mules are bigger than donkeys and can be a great ride, especially for mountaineering, as they will alert you to hazards such as inclement weather and animals, such as bears, cougars, etc. they are very smart. Horses are as magical and you could have a mule living with a horse. They both are herd animals and should not be kept alone. FYI- expensive and high maintenance, lol.

[@suerutherford4931]

Ps- love your videos!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

That’s what I need - a mule! 😀

[@nicmaci7087]

if i am planning a tank I like to throw the upcoming deco in my blood parrot tank. Right now I am planning a betta tank so I have some rock and silk plants in the tank hidden in the back growing the good stuff :D

[@marlonf.naranjo6102]

I JUST BOUGHT A 30LB. BAG OF BLACK GRAVEL ON AMAZON FOR 7.50. IT IS ON SALE FOR 56% OFF. I AM RESCAPING MY 10 GALLON. GREAT LIVE STREAM!

[@jamesnguyen7069]

any updates?

[@Steviebguinhiking]

Bit late to say wash it thoroughly 😮

[@JaymePaladino]

That's the only product I've used that worked when my cycle crashed & it was in the fridge at my store. I didn't know what to do! I've never seen it recommended. I don't know how I found this either. The Fritz product is what I'm talking about. No 7

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Good stuff!

[@TuanCaCanh]

You have a good live friend

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you!

[@VictoriaLeeCreates]

🤟😎glad to be hear. Trying to make it to Ohio. Hopefully all goes well

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Hope to see you there!

[@Jbayz]

I have one tip. Seachem stability.

[@jessebucholtz9504]

My water hardness is over 500 from the tap and I raise all kinds of fish, they do just fine.

[@denisethompson3]

I grew up on a 7 acre farm as a kid, we had all the critters big and small and now all I have is two fish tanks 🤣 much less maintenance and cost.

[@jamesnguyen7069]

brah. get a farm again

[@lizdyson3627]

I've read that liquorice guarami like 4.5 to 6.5

[@CentreShallRise]

Live plants have cycled all my tanks in 2 to 3 weeks.

[@jamesnguyen7069]

nice. what about a filter?

[@nick4281]

After a fish heals from being sick with a bacterial infection in a quarantine tank. do I need to completely empty the tank and sanitize the tank and filter..etc or if the fish is healed does that mean the bacteria is gone too ? Love the vids , keep up the great work !

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I generally assume the bacteria is gone too, but I know professionals who break down the QT tank and clean it.

[@nick4281]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics thank you for the reply!

[@carlosaviles6489]

Those tanks behind you, I like that setup can you show me up close what it looks like and size etc....

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Hey - CHeck out The Small Scape - Joanna did a full tour of them all :-)

[@TifLynn837]

Talking about hard water at 52:21 -- My water from the tap my gh is 519.1 (29°) --- but my kh is just btwn 53.7 - 71.6 (3-4°) I recently tested the water at my grandparents house because I was honestly just curious as my grandfather keeps fish as well, the GH from their tap was 32° ... AND THEY HAVE A WATER SOFTENER!!!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

That is crazy!

[@TifLynn837]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics he and I even keep tetras with no issues. Had more issues with the guppies believe it or not.

[@bernsaquatics2007]

24:45 was that a Napoleon Dynamite reference? (Eat the food!)

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Yep!

[@cherylbeswick7327]

Do you know If there is a UK alternative to the 7 stuff?

[@justinbouchard]

So I've always just done a 50% water change daily for 1-3 weeks depending on how long it takes for it to cycle. No load, no cycling. Adding fish to a "cycled" tank creates more load, therefore it's not "cycled" anymore. Change water, check chemical levels. Never had one issue in my whole life.

[@csharpe5787]

Wow, that's sounds like a faf.

[@lucabrasi3039]

Starting a new 65gal, what about adding a biological starter with a few fish, also live plants from established tanks and cholla wood from established tanks?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Sure!

[@vishalgupta2688]

Hello Sir, Thanks for your informative videos. Can you suggest if we can simply put the Bio media (for e.g. Lava rocks) into the tank instead of using it in a top or hob filter? Will it be effective in that way?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

You can, but it won’t be quite as effective.

[@vishalgupta2688]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics ohh okay.. thanks for the reply 🙂🙏

[@TheFlutterrbye]

🦋❣🦋I caught most of your live, but I hope that you can help me with this question. I have a sand substrate and just planted a few anubias plants. Should I leave it alone or add gravel on top? Thankyou so much. 🦋❣🦋❣🦋

[@Becks-fi6xl]

Anubias are generally attached to wood or rocks not planted in the substrate as the rhizome needs to be uncovered.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

We generally glue our Anubias to rocks and wood because it doesn’t root well in substrate. The main thing you don’t want to burying the rhizome. This may help kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4nMhqdso7VlhtU

[@robertevans3097]

Hello guys and gals. Its ROCKET 🚀 CITY ROBERT AGAIN, so I just got an awesome 90 gallon CUBE. I got the"FLUVAL 407". The canister filter is new "uncycled" do I need to run some chlorine free water through the filter into the bathroom sink to rinse it before I start running it in my new aquarium? Will it be like Dusty or anything? "REMEMBER I AM NEW SO USE SMALL WORDS" THANK YOU BOTH FOR ALL YOUR HELP.. you could always use one of those new "MINI JET BLENDERS" as a tiny wave makers...😂😮

[@robertevans3097]

Of course that was a joke about the "MINI JET BLENDER" 😂😅😮

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I have two of them. I rinsed off the bio media and carbon, but that was it. : -)

[@robertevans3097]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics The two of you are awesome I have been learning from the two of you for a while.. I'm glad I finally have learned how to respond and leave comments for a video. I have two tanks running but I am very excited about my two new tanks because they are much bigger. I have blue Acura, big pretty angelfish, rainbow boesemani, turquoise Bosemani, yellow labs...... a bunch of Cooley Loaches "WITH THE LITTLE BANDS" and some polka dotted catfish I THINK HE'S CALLED A PICTOCATSAROUSE.. DO YOU THINK EE SAWRUS? Anyway do you think my rainbow Bosemani will get along good with discus?? That's what I want to get for my new tank.

[@robertevans3097]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics thank you so much!!

[@robertevans3097]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics HEY THERE. ITS. 🚀 ROCKET CITY ROBERT AGAIN. thank you all so much!!! LAST QUESTION?? Do you think rainbow boesemani, angelfish, discus, and rummy nose tetra will all get along in my new 90 gallon "CUBE"?? WILL THEY ALL GET ALONG? Or do I need to "REMOVE ONE BEFORE FLIGHT' 🚀 🚀 🛸🛸

[@bill9845]

i prefer hardscapes , but all 3 of my sumps have basically a refugium full of elodea , and it grows crazy, wouldnt do it any other way

[@fishdaddyjackaquatics664]

I always do a fish in cycle. I do add some bottled stuff like Fritz, but I go ahead and stock the tank and feed them sparingly until the bacteria has a chance to grow. I usually find my tank is fully cycled in a week.

[@misslayla93]

When changing a tank should I rinse my decorations?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I don’t - as long as everything is healthy there are beneficial microbes on the surfaces .

[@joycehendry3595]

hi Did you do the hygger Light, Dimmable LED Aquarium Light with Timer, update review, I can only find the july 2020 And I need all the help I can get with lights cos after buying 5 already this year I want to et it right this time

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Haven't done the long term review, but really like the light!

[@katarzynafaras8033]

Hi. Fishless cycle! Please tell me Do I have to always add ammonia to 2 ppm.until my cycle will be finish?at the moment I have ammonia 0.5ppm. nitrites 2-5ppm.nitrates 5ppm.Thank you.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Nope - in fact I would just add Fritzyme 7, wait until the ammonia and nitrite reaches zero and then you can add a small number of fish.

[@jonathansanchez7218]

No problem Just add half another tanks water and use its filter...sponge filters are may go to filters...

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

The filters wil help, but the water doesn't contain any beneficial bacteria.

[@sabrinawalsh9489]

I remember back in the day putting a hand full of gravel from an established tank in a pantyhose. Then burying the hose in the gravel of the new tank to quicken the cycle. Thoughts?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

It never worked for me. If I were doing that again I would put it in a filter bag in my filter instead.

[@waterlover]

I have a 150 gallon planted scape tank. Stocking is cardinal tetras around 25, 10 neon green rasboras, 20 blue neon tetras , 1 cpd , 1 Chilli rasbora, 4 sae, 15 black phantom tetras 10 female black phantom tetras, 6 orange lazer corys, and around 50 endler guppie hybrids that I rescued from my cousin that died. I bought one blue opal gourami last weeks , it’s nit in the main display yet, still has 3 more weeks to go before it goes in the tank. I need a fish that will help keep the endler population down or keep it in check but nit eat all my tetras. Any suggestions?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

That Gourami will do that but it might also bully the adult endlers.

[@turtlerouge3092]

Hi, what were those 2 products to start cycling a new tank? How do you spell thode products?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Fritzyme 7

[@albertoc3279]

Nice video. Fyi mules are a horse/donkey hybrid that are great for hard work but is not a species. A mule is sterile and has no true gender. They are very docile animals.

[@Aller86]

I am very new to the hobby. Started working on cycling my wife's 75-gallon gift 6 days ago tossed in a sponge from the 10 gallon hang on the back that was good and nasty, also put a sponge bubbler in the old 10 gallon tank for a week prior and is now running in the 75. how often should I be doing water changes? should I be leaving lights on or off? should I put half of my media from the new Fluval 407 in the 10 gallon for a few days to build up some BB? and when should I start testing to see if it has cycled. thank you in advance I would have probably killed my wife's fish and inadvertently burned my house down if it wasn't for you and your colleagues.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

If you have cycled media you can start adding fish very slowly (like just a few at a time). Wait a few weeks and slowly add more. LIghts can run normal cycle. I wouldn't change water unless you have ammonia or nitrite. I would wait until nitrates get to around 20ppm or more.

[@Lumi1992]

Any recommendations for someone who listened to someone who said I can have fish within a week of a tank being planted? My pH keeps going up and I worry about my loach. or is there a group chat I can go to for help?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Fritz Turbo start should help keep ammonia and nitrite concentrations down. That will be the most important issue right now.

[@Lumi1992]

my testers show everything at a good range except water hardness and pH. Did some research and someone said the aqueon substrate can up the pH. I have Cholla wood and catappa leaves in currently. Peat Granules will be in tomorrow.@@PrimeTimeAquatics

[@tk7365]

Welcome to fun with flags with shelden Cooper and Amy 🤣🤣

[@FireflyXOXO1]

I hate live streams, even after the fact!

[@galejohnson8086]

Well water with sulfur is horrible, smells like eggs and tastes awful. Lived near natural hot springs and neighbors well was unnaturally warm and smelled of sulfur. AWFUL