How to cycle a fishtank

[Mentat]

Im going to buy some live bacteria abd feed a pinch of fish food every 2 days. Once the water goes slightly cloydy then it goes clean then the nitrogen cycle is complete. But how will i know when to do water changes?

Actually; that is not correct. Irrelevant of water clarity, first the Ammonia will peak and then drop to 0. Then the Nitrites will peak and then drop to 0. Once that happens the filter will be cycled. You can have a cycled tank and cloudy water at the same time. The only way to monitor is to get test kits for both Ammonia and Nitrites. Test strips are inaccurate; need liquid test kits.

Water changes will depend on factors such as water volume, filter efficiency, live plant presence, and animal livestock biomass. Initially you wait until tank is cycled (Ammonia and Nitrites are 0) and then do a 15% water change. Then use a Nitrate test kit and if higher than 25 ppm; need to increase the volume of water changed or the periodicity. You want to keep Nitrates below 25% or it will start affecting the fish.

There are lots of audio visual explanations about aquarium's Nitrogen cycle in internet if you search for it .

[Fbt123]

Thanks again carlos. What is a good test kit? Is my methid ok but i just need to get a water tester as well? This will be a fishless cycle btw

[Mentat]

Myself use the ones made by API. Can get them individually or as a kit online at Dr. Foster & Smith or Big Als .

[brian c]

****Deleted for Infraction****


DigitalPunk AKA Paul