What can i use other than fish to cycle my new aquarium and how long do i have to wait before adding fish?
If you choose not to use fish, you can use bottled fish urea. As gross as this sounds, you can actually use any type of urine. You will definitely want to buy a test kit. Try to keep the Ph at around 7.2 to 7.4 This is best for most fish. Generally within the first two weeks the ammonia will rise and fall as the bacterias that consume ammonia start to grow and multiple. It’s in this critical period you may lose fish. After the ammonia falls, you should start to see nitrites rise dramatically. Both ammonia and nitrite are toxic. Around the end of the third week the nitrites should begin to fall off and traces of nitrates will appear. Once you have completed the cycle and begin to see the nitrates, you will then be ready to add a few fish. Choose your fish based on there passive or semi aggressive nature. Passive fish need to be introduced first. This will allow them to establish territory before the more aggressive fish are introduced. Also, add about 3 TBSP of salt per ten gallons of w
