archiebellacoco Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 Hey there i am starting a new discus tank and need some help deciding which way would be best to cycle it i am planning on getting the discus after xmas so in a week and a half i have looked at- fishless cycling with ammonia but it would take too long swapping the sponge on my other tank with the new filter but don't want to risk it as I had a few fish pass away a few weeks ago due to gas pockets as I have a planted tank it's harder to keep it 100% clean all the time and I don't want to risk making the new discus sick i was told I can put juveniles straight in and do 50% water changes everyday but I don't want to risk that either (not having the right water for them) i am am wondering if there is a product in Australia that you can put into your tank to create that good bacteria? i know they exist overseas?? or any other suggestions? I Am traveling up north for xmas and want to get some quality fish on the way back hence why I want to do it quicker.. the new tank is 65 gallons or 250 LITREs and is a used tank but has been dry for about a year it won't be a planted tank substrate will be white sand (thin layer) and driftwood possibly eventually with some plants attached thanks in advance!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lictoga Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 Api quick start, also stability I think, and maybe a easy life product. There are a few out there, but this dose not remove the need for cycling a tank. As in it dose not do it instantly and with discus I would do it properly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Au55ieBum Posted December 16, 2014 Report Share Posted December 16, 2014 even with the bacteria bottles from oversea it takes 7-10 days to cycle a tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archiebellacoco Posted December 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 I have 9 days up my sleeve That's why I am asking for options I want to do it correctly I just don't want to buy something and stuff it up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Au55ieBum Posted December 17, 2014 Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 I found Dr Tim one and only worked for me. But you need to order online Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archiebellacoco Posted December 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 How long did it take to get the water right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Au55ieBum Posted December 17, 2014 Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 That with a bottle of ammonia took about 10 days. I put 35 fish in and didn't lose one or have any spikes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozmo Posted December 17, 2014 Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 (edited) Several years back I needed to setup a display tank in an office pretty quickly. So I popped down to the nearest LFS. They sold me seeded media from their system for the same cost of new, off the shelf media. They then replenished their system with the new media. I then added a hefty dose of a broad spectrum treatment (similar to Promethyasul) for the full course before and after fish were introduced to reduce the risk of disease from the seeded media. All worked out well. So If you can get a hold of seeded media from a nearby LFS or even another hobbyist you will reduce your cycling time dramatically. I have never owned Discus so therefore can not guarantee this will work for them but I have used Seachem Stability for other not so delicate American species on several occasions with success on new or near new setups. Hope that helps. Edited December 17, 2014 by ozmo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archiebellacoco Posted December 17, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 17, 2014 Thanks everyone Just got it all and started it tonight so I'll let you know how it goes:) When do you think I should do a water change? I have to add the stability every day for seven days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnbetta Posted June 21, 2015 Report Share Posted June 21, 2015 use peat moss to soften the water and to lower the ph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
