Thanks for this! I unexpectedly was given a betta the other day. I immediately started doing research online and began the fish in cycling process (after spending way too much money lol). I came to youtube to make sure I was doing it right. Turns out I am. I'm determined not to let my little guy die. I've become way too attached to him.
I'm in week 1 of my cycle 125 Gallon with fluval FX6 and Tidal 110 filtration. I have 5ea 1.5" Geophagus and 1ea 1.5" Severum in the tank doing well. I added the fish and did the 3 day dose with Fluval Cycle (bio booster). I'm adding 1 dose of Prime nightly. I'm testing the water every other day. Ammonia and Nitrite are 0.5 and below. Just started seeing Nitrate yesterday at 10ppm I really appreciate the breakdown of the what each dose of Prime treats, thank you for the info. (subbed and bell rung)
Does prime cover everything? I’m using stability and prime daily for my 75 gallon tank. Have 1 pleco and 3 baby guppies in a 75 gallon tank and testing daily. I’m on day 3 with fish in the tank. Day 6 with water in the tank overall. Still not seeing any ammonia, nitrite or nitrate. What I’m getting from this video is dose everyday till the nitrates are there and no nitrites or ammonia?
You explain the safe fish-in cycle so clearly. I wish your video was the first one I saw. There’s so much time I’ve wasted that I can never get back from videos that just didn’t explain it like you did! Thank you 🙏
All good info. I've cycled tanks this way. The only thing I'd add is that high doses of Prime can reduce the amount of oxygen in the tank. So a new fishkeeper might be advised to add an airstone if they have one, or to angle the filter so it creates a lot of surface agitation.
I know this is an old video but thank you for this! I will soon be doing a fish in cycle because of an emergency and this video explained the process perfectly. Wish me luck!
This was incredibly helpful, thanks. I also learned that I should be using Prime when I've previously dismissed that since I have well water and don't need dechlorination, now I know it does so much more!
Thank you so much. I crashed my cycle recently, by adding meds to try and save our oranda (he died anyway, so i wish i hadnt bothered now). It's scary seeing the test colours so vivid, but having a step by step guide is keeping me calm and focused.
I was taught to start the tank with a few hardy fish like tetras, add the biological, wait a week and start testing little by little until it's cycled. And the fish did fine.
Thank you so much for the info! My original cycle crashed while I was transporting my media, so I am having to do a fish in cycle with some dwarf rasbora (eek!). It's been an absolute nightmare, with loosing two fish, ammonia burns, and failed spawning (so sad!). My two cents worth on ammolock: I did give ammonia lock a go - it really helped remove the ammonia. I went from 2ppm to less than 0.25ppm in about three weeks. So super effective product, but unfortunately not ideal for a cycle. I love your attitude by the way! You're awesome and so knowledgeable. Also the big fella in the background had me giggling - he wants in on the fun too!
I use Fluval products and they have worked for me really well. My son just got me a 29 gal tank for my birthday and Mother's day, and when I set it up, I am going to use the Fluval products and also a few fish to help it along to finish the cycle before I move my Rasboras into it, and then keep a close eye on the parameters so I don't go through any useless ammonia spikes.
Great video. Most pet stores in Australia will also tell you to run the tank for a week only before putting fish in. Either Seachem Stability and API Stresscoat+ is key.
Thanks so much for this video! I accidentally killed all my beneficial bacteria when trying to get rid of a nasty bacterial infection. Now, I’ve learned my lesson to keep an extra cycled tank around. 😬😬😬
I did not know about those products, but seachem stability works if you follow the directions. Have cycled multiple tanks with a low bio load using stability.
@@TA_pS that has worked for me at least twice. That is the sole purpose of stability. Using prime seems to be trickier because you are using it to stave off ammonia spikes, as he indicates in the video. Neat trick though, but I haven’t tried it.
@@nextdooraquatics5013 My friend gave me a guppy last week and i didnt know the cycle is,so is there something i can do to prevent ammonia spike in my tank?I dont have a test kit too because i dont know anything in this hobby just started researching last week too
Always love your videos- upfront, honest, and to the point. I usually cycle by using seeded filter media, but recently set up my first big tank (45g) and have not cycled it yet. My work just recently discontinued using "pure" bacteria balls, and I was able to take those home- contemplating using them in starting a cycle.
What blows my mind is most fish stores here in Ontario Canada will ask the size of your tank when buying fish like cichlids but nothing about having a cycled tank
Great info, for one of the most common asked questions of many fb groups/pages. Love Fritz a.c.c.r powder, been working great for me and outlast the liquids.
Not a first time fish keeper here but you asked how I do it . I have just finished cycling a new 14 gallon tank for a beta fish , I seeded the filter with some media from another tank added enough ammonia to make 2ppm and waited for it to disappear testing each day .just live plants added including devils ivy . I added more ammonia each time it was gone until it was gone within 24 hours of dosing , I never saw any sign of nitrite and it took 10 days . Just a water change now prior to adding fish . I never do fish in cycle .
While doing fish in cycle, I've heard not to disturb the substrate. But what if there is alot of fish waste on substrate? Can I do a light substrate surface vacuum or leave it?
something i really learned from this in general is: ask questions. most people dont and dont think about it but honestly, if you have product x and it states that its doing this and that, manufacturers have websites and support emails. one should really not be happy with the fact a product is doing something but actually ask them for numbers on just what exactly a product is doing in detail
I’ve done this method in a 32gal with a dozen Exodon tetras. Except I used a small bottle of Fritz complete when I filled the tank and then used Seachem Prime and Stability every other day for a week, had the fish for about six months and never lost one till I traded ‘em in for some fancy goldfish.
I just redid my 110g with new gravel and decor, I got my friends dirty canister filter fiber and put it in a hang on filter and dumped about half a gallon of his dirty water from the filter along with 1 bottle of Fritz 7 and added several plants. Im hoping it’s enough beneficial bacteria to offset the upcoming ammonia spikes until the tank is fully cycled.
ohhh my god thank you so much, my mom bought us bettas in a bowl and me being the obsessive person i am, obsessed over it and now we own two tanks, and my brothers tank is so fucked rn and we can’t do a regular cycle bc 1. we don’t have spare tanks and 2. we can’t temporarily house it in an average fishbowl because we have cats that will LITERALLY KILL IT, i’ll be getting this set up for my brother tomorrow thanks for telling this so clearly, i actually picked up seachem prime and the api master kit the other day so i’m all ready for this! thanks again!
Fritz didn’t help cycle my tank. Never saw nitrites. Had ammonia at .5ppm with fish in cycle. Was forced to do daily 50% water changes. Followed directions to the T on Fritz Zymes. Switched to Stability and tank cycled in 6 days.
Will the prime condition the water and add the good bacteria needed? Or should i use prime and maybe stability...or should i only use prime after conditioning my water?
Omg I finally understand more about fish in cycling. Just 3 questions im having. 1 Its the nitrate gonna drop down on themself or? Because this part did not understood. 2. Im getting babies constantly from my 2 female guppy and mollie so number increases constantly. How to keep safe all? 3.regarding seachem prime do u dose daily at the ammount of nitrate you have or? Thank you
Thank you so much for this video. It is really confusing starting a new aquarium,and my 10 gallon isn't cycled,and I have a betta. I'm using prime. I hope it works.
Thank you for the info! I was curious about gravel vacuuming. I currently have 6 fish in my 40 gallon, uncycled tank (we fell for a Petco scam, that after 3 days of having the tank.. we’re good) Anywho, one of those being a bumblebee catfish, and one being a rubber pleco.. bottom feeders haven’t been eating the food we’re giving them yet.. should I be doing extra gravel vac to keep ammonia down? Like daily to remove excess food that was left behind? (Even when we feed small, small amounts some of the food gets left behind)
Thank you for your info, Question when you say use 5 times the amount of Prime, are you referring to the dosage? I have a 10 gallon tank with one betta and I'm having a hard time getting ammonia down to 0. I've done multiple 50 percent water changes and tested but it's always at 0.50 ppm. My nitrites are blueish lavender, not quite 0.25 ppm. The tank is over a month old and even if I don't feed the fish, the readings are the same. I think it's the tap water. Do I use 5 times the dosage for a 10 gallon tank with prime? Or any other suggestions? Thanks
First, yes that is what I mean. Second, check your source water. A 10 gallon with one betta will take forever to cycle because the bio load is so small.
Thank you for including the danger zone ppm.. no one does that!! I end up freaking out at any ammonia and do an emergency water change -which In turn stresses my fish out and estarte my cycle. As of last night Amazon sold out if Frits complete.. :-(
Thank you for this great 2.0 video. My cycle crashed from meds, and so I am starting the fish in cycle all over again...it had just finished cycling. 🤦🏼♀️ Sigh. Last fish in cycle, I dosed daily 1ml of Seachem per 1ppm total of ammonia and nitrites combined up to 5ml/5ppm. Water changes if it goes above that. This sounds a bit like that, but I think you mentioned testing and treating every 2 days if I heard that right.
if i wanted to change my sponge filter to a smaller one, how long do i have to keep my big filter in there to transfer the bacteria to my smaller filter? thank you
Thank you so much for the time and effort to make these videos. Quick question for you… using Prime. Say I’m looking to detoxify 1ppm ammonia and 2 ppm nitrite. Would only one dose do both or would you add them together and do 2 doses (I’ve read this before on another site). Thank you
Hello, thank you so much for this video. Really helps a beginner like me! Having said, I have a question (please bear with me). Do I 5 times dose everyday until my tests show 0ppm ammonia & nitrite, and 10 nitrate? Or only day 1? Also, just want to make sure I get "dose 5 times" right, for example, if it says to add 1mL on a 5 gallon tank, I add instead 5mL, is that correct?
I personally havent tried the fritz products as I already have a working set up system that works for me. But I would agree if the product works as stated that fish in cycle should be a fairly easy one for most new hobbyist fish keepers. My fish in cycle is the old school way by doing the water changes daily. It may take a short time longer to complete the cycle but it works nonetheless. And honestly I have been doing it so long that I dont even test my water anymore. It's almost natural to me as to when I need to do a water change and how much be it during cycle or normal maintenance on the tanks. And tho I have my own way that works for me there is nothing wrong with doing it the way it works for you. There are a few ways to fish in cycle your new tanks. The best advice is to research the ways and pick the one that works for you.
@@john3497A that all depends on how you go about it. It can take as little as a few weeks to many months. On avrage a fresh cycle takes 3 months or so depending on stocking levels.
So after watching your two videos on this topic, this is what I gathered. Day1 5x dose. Day3 test and if below bad ammonia and nitrite lvls, 5x dose again. If over bad levels, do 50% water change. Day 5, repeat day3 process. Day 7 repeat Day 5 process and so on until tank is cycled at 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and less than 40ppm nitrates. Did I get it right? Also, on the first video you say 2x dose, here you say 5x dose, which one is it after the first initial dose? Thanks in advance this video is awesome.
Fantastic video, Michael! Your insights are incredibly helpful. I just wanted to clarify: Should the conditioner be re-dosed every 2 days? And what would be the recommended dosage for 1PPM Ammonia and 0 PPM Nitrite? I’m currently using the API Master Kit, though I'm aware Nitrite readings might be off. I feel terrible to admit - I thoroughly researched before setting up my tank but my patience wore thin with the fishless cycle as there was no sign of Ammonia after a week but just debris and fungus collecting from the rotting fish food. In a moment of desperation, I began adding fish gradually starting with some Golden Algae Eaters, following advice from the shopkeeper who assured me the tank would cycle over a couple of months with consistent 50% weekly water changes with no harm to the fish. Still I couldn't help but panic when I noticed a dreaded 1PPM of Ammonia. Immediately, I dosed with Prime, added Stability that I've been dosing since the start of the tank and also added in API Quick Start. I then came to research more with hopes of finding a safe way to continue the cycle without harming my fish and stumbled upon your video. I'm gonna cry with guilt if I lose any of them prematurely :'( Thanks for any advice you can offer!
Hi Michael, thank you for the valuable insights. I’m doing a fish in cycle as we speak and have been recording everything daily. However a couple of days ago my PH dropped to 6.0and I changed the water twice and is now around 6.5 to 6.8. There is Ammonia in the tank around 0.5 to 1.0PPM with no nitrites or nitrates and the fish are eating well but the water is cloudy and they seem a bit slower than usual. I use prime and stability daily. What should I do ? A bit lost because I did not anticipate the challenge with PH changing. Any advice would be much appreciated!! Thank you.
First, you need to determine your actual PH, take water from your tap, let it sit 25 hours, measure your PH. That’s your true PH. Next, stop changing water if you follow my method.
@@MichaelsFishRoom thank you so much !! I have stopped changing the water but will test the tap water PH overnight. So should I still be seeing the nitrites using prime when the cycle finally kicks in ? Or will it be Ammonia going down to 0 and nitrates appearing ? And how long would it take ? Thanks again !!
What tests are you using after dosing the tank? After I use prime, the ammonia or nitrites never change, hence why ammo lock works woth the api system.
Yes, it would not change. As I say in the video, it only neutralizes it. You need the ammonia to feed the BB to complete the cycle. There is no need for Ammo lock.
I have two bettas (seperated) but i've noticed one is hanging out near the top and not eating so I researched and read it might be the nitrogen cycle. Would you recommend adding gravel to sustain any beneficial bacteria and decrease the amounts of time needed to test water quality? Thank you for the insight!
Thank you, Michael. Just a quick question: Is it okay to start with Seachem Stability for building starter bacteria? And then, maybe 3 days later putting the fish? Before putting the water in the tank, I have a large bucket with treated water (Seachem Prime) which I am always using. After that, it should be enough to keep an eye on the water parameter and the fish, right? Thank you!
Hey Michael! I love your videos! Quick question: when I looked onto Fritz’s website, there is a little infographic that says the detoxification rates for Complete are as follows: .5ppm ammonia, 1.0ppm nitrite, 15ppm nitrate. I wonder if the product has changed over the years now? What are your thoughts? Thanks!!
I used Amquel for 30 years until I noticed Prime was cheaper. 1. Add tank water from another tank 2. Add filter media from another tank 3. Add a few fish, test daily for Ammonia/nitrite/nitrates 4. Watch Michael’s Fishroom 5. When readings are 0/0/going up, add more fish 6. Make fun of Michael 7. Drink tea and have some red beans on toast
Don't you have to continue extra dosing for the in fish cycle every 48 hours? I read the bond to detoxify only lasts 48 hours and you have to redose for the amount tested for. Is that true? If so, how many times can you extra dose before it becomes unsafe?
Does Aqueon betta bowl plus do the same thing prime does ??? I’m trying to figure out what to do for my bettas tank because I don’t know if Aqueon beta bowl plus is the same as prime the lady at the pet store told me it works the same so I’m trying to find out from others
Hi, when you say 5 times dose, is that 5 times the amount each time? I have to say you’ve made a lot of sense, I did exactly what you said, I got a tank on sale but my friends made everything sound confusing so I asked at the shop and they said just add the fish 🤦🏼♂️ learning the hard way week 7 on the cycle and still not doing well but only be putting the required dosage in?
Thanks - doing this method now! Does the 5x dosing slow down the cycling process in any way? Not sure if the detoxification of ammonia will have any impact on the duration.
So def new to this.. day 8 on new tank only have rocks, filter and heater in the tank and the water is still cloudy… I do have test strips if the levels are good can I add fish 🐠 to the tank or do I wait until the water is clear ?
I didn't do research about bettas and I got a betta without my mother's permission because I am a horrible child and my mother said I needed to cycle the tank and I already had the fish so this will save my fish thank youuu
Might be a silly question but should you be doing partial water changes to remove fish poo in the water or do i want to be leaving the poo in the water creating ammonia?
I rushed the process a little too much by adding too much fish. Never read ammonia once on my tests but with adding fish daily and not having enough beneficial bacteria for the nitrite to convert to nitrate gave me nitrite 0.5/1ppm. Currently dosing seachem prime & stability daily
Im doing a Minnie fish in cycle i Change my substrate for a 10 gallon tank Now my levels are 0 nitrite 0 Ammonia and 5 Nitrates so how do i get rid of the rest of the nitrates ? water change? Or keep dosing prime? Fyi brand new with fish ..
Hey so Im trying to do your new way of cycling. Question - In the beginning you said frtiz will detoxify 1 1/2 ammonia, 1ppm nitrIte, 10ppm nitrAte. but around minute 7:10 you say 7 1/2 or less and then 5ppm or 10ppm or less of nitr(a)te, at least thats what it sounds like. I just need to know its nitr(a)te or nitr(i)te. Sorry for the dumb question. - tried to write you through your website but it wouldnt work
Hi.. thanks for the video it was very helpful. I bought the Fritz complete.. I want to use the five times dose but can you tell me how much Fritz complete do I use for my 5 gallon tank
Hello :) we are doing this as unfortunate newbies but haven't lost fish (only have 3 tetra glowfish in a 20 gal) Its been a week of feeding them normally and ammonia has remained at 0. Shouldn't it have gone up by now? Adding 1 dose of seachem prime every other day just in case. Thanks for any advice!
I just changed my hangon filter with a canister and the next day the tank was super cloudy and the ammonia levels were off the chart. I immediately got the old filter media, added it to the canister and waited. It’s cycling but slowly. I have fish already there and the sensitive plants have already melted away. I’m doing 75% water change. I haven’t lost fish yet but I’m afraid for them. Any other advice to speed things along?
Got a great video idea for you. Can you cycle two identical tanks, seeding with ammonium chloride, so fishless of course. But with one tank turbo start and the other tank just let time take its course? Adding ammonium chloride (the same amount in each tank) when needed to keep the ammonia up. Would be interesting to see if fritz truly does speed up the cycling process
Thank you! I am new and thought I had a cycled tank...I was wrong and was using an old batch of test strips for chem levels. I went to API master and low and behold found that my ammonia was 0 ppm, but nitrites off the charts. UGH, I already have three Otos in the new 75 gal. So I've been following your advice and my nitrites are still dark purple after 24 hours. I'm going to continue (what choice do I have?) but my question is this; aren't I essentially "killing" the food source of the beneficial bacteria each time I dose up the prime/and stability? How can I get the bacteria that eats nitrites to grow, if there is no ammonia for the other bacteria to eat......? I'm killing the nitrites with prime, but saving the fish, yet also perpetuating me having to dose with prime and killing the nitrites.... ????? (75 gal, planted, good flow, good aeration, couple snails, 3 otos((feeding zucchini)), plants meltback and conversion complete-growing well)
Your description of a person buying there 1st tank I did not know you’re with me in 1973 when I bought mine it was so spot on keep up the great work
LOL
Lol. I swear when my husband and son bought fish for the tank that became mine 😊 that’s what they brought home. My first fish were endler’s ❤
At least we know now this woman was a hottie! That’s all I paid attention at from the video…
Thanks for this! I unexpectedly was given a betta the other day. I immediately started doing research online and began the fish in cycling process (after spending way too much money lol). I came to youtube to make sure I was doing it right. Turns out I am. I'm determined not to let my little guy die. I've become way too attached to him.
Did you buy a test kit?My mom dont let me buy this because its expensive😥
Get a job!
Hello
Please tell me about it,,, i have the same situation
@@ssinha123123 hey
Who else can’t stop watching taco 🤣 I heart him 🖤 I feel attacked about that pineapple, we have that one 😩🤣
Totally agree those fish are awesome
@Tommy Ivanovic That is not the one I was talking about.
You know, I sell FH's right?
I feel attacked by the comment about walking out with tetras and a common pleco and a 10 gallon tank. 😂
No time for a snack with all this info. You were not kidding about the own and paper! Amazing info!!
Omg poor Sarah being called out like that lmao
LOL...she loved it!
I'm in week 1 of my cycle 125 Gallon with fluval FX6 and Tidal 110 filtration. I have 5ea 1.5" Geophagus and 1ea 1.5" Severum in the tank doing well. I added the fish and did the 3 day dose with Fluval Cycle (bio booster). I'm adding 1 dose of Prime nightly. I'm testing the water every other day. Ammonia and Nitrite are 0.5 and below. Just started seeing Nitrate yesterday at 10ppm
I really appreciate the breakdown of the what each dose of Prime treats, thank you for the info. (subbed and bell rung)
Good luck!
Does prime cover everything? I’m using stability and prime daily for my 75 gallon tank. Have 1 pleco and 3 baby guppies in a 75 gallon tank and testing daily. I’m on day 3 with fish in the tank. Day 6 with water in the tank overall. Still not seeing any ammonia, nitrite or nitrate. What I’m getting from this video is dose everyday till the nitrates are there and no nitrites or ammonia?
@@hunterthomas3854 I'm close to starting my first cycle. How's yours doing so far? Did you end up doing anything different?
You explain the safe fish-in cycle so clearly. I wish your video was the first one I saw. There’s so much time I’ve wasted that I can never get back from videos that just didn’t explain it like you did! Thank you 🙏
Glad to help. Also tell all your fish friends to watch!
I love how you’re so reassuring
Thanks, I am a kind person.....I just play an AH on TV.
All good info. I've cycled tanks this way. The only thing I'd add is that high doses of Prime can reduce the amount of oxygen in the tank. So a new fishkeeper might be advised to add an airstone if they have one, or to angle the filter so it creates a lot of surface agitation.
Good call Adam! API told me it is safe up to 5X without adding an airstone. I will add that do my next one though!
I’ve been dozing prime daily but I do have a airstone .. do you think all is good?
I know this is an old video but thank you for this! I will soon be doing a fish in cycle because of an emergency and this video explained the process perfectly. Wish me luck!
Good Luck!
This was incredibly helpful, thanks. I also learned that I should be using Prime when I've previously dismissed that since I have well water and don't need dechlorination, now I know it does so much more!
Thanks!
Thank you so much. I crashed my cycle recently, by adding meds to try and save our oranda (he died anyway, so i wish i hadnt bothered now).
It's scary seeing the test colours so vivid, but having a step by step guide is keeping me calm and focused.
Sorry for your loss.
Hi Michael I’ve had my first fry born today
Congrats!
I was taught to start the tank with a few hardy fish like tetras, add the biological, wait a week and start testing little by little until it's cycled. And the fish did fine.
Cool
Thank you so much for the info! My original cycle crashed while I was transporting my media, so I am having to do a fish in cycle with some dwarf rasbora (eek!). It's been an absolute nightmare, with loosing two fish, ammonia burns, and failed spawning (so sad!).
My two cents worth on ammolock: I did give ammonia lock a go - it really helped remove the ammonia. I went from 2ppm to less than 0.25ppm in about three weeks. So super effective product, but unfortunately not ideal for a cycle.
I love your attitude by the way! You're awesome and so knowledgeable. Also the big fella in the background had me giggling - he wants in on the fun too!
Thanks and good luck!
I use Fluval products and they have worked for me really well. My son just got me a 29 gal tank for my birthday and Mother's day, and when I set it up, I am going to use the Fluval products and also a few fish to help it along to finish the cycle before I move my Rasboras into it, and then keep a close eye on the parameters so I don't go through any useless ammonia spikes.
Thanks for sharing
Great video. Most pet stores in Australia will also tell you to run the tank for a week only before putting fish in. Either Seachem Stability and API Stresscoat+ is key.
Thanks for watching!
Thanks so much for this video! I accidentally killed all my beneficial bacteria when trying to get rid of a nasty bacterial infection. Now, I’ve learned my lesson to keep an extra cycled tank around. 😬😬😬
Glad to help!
Thanks Michael for the insight! You’ve explained everything well and clear
Glad it was helpful!
This was really helpful, technical info presented with common sense and real world approaches. Thanks!
Thanks!
I did not know about those products, but seachem stability works if you follow the directions. Have cycled multiple tanks with a low bio load using stability.
Cool
Is it okay not using prime for the cycle,only stability?
@@TA_pS that has worked for me at least twice. That is the sole purpose of stability. Using prime seems to be trickier because you are using it to stave off ammonia spikes, as he indicates in the video. Neat trick though, but I haven’t tried it.
@@nextdooraquatics5013 My friend gave me a guppy last week and i didnt know the cycle is,so is there something i can do to prevent ammonia spike in my tank?I dont have a test kit too because i dont know anything in this hobby just started researching last week too
Always love your videos- upfront, honest, and to the point. I usually cycle by using seeded filter media, but recently set up my first big tank (45g) and have not cycled it yet. My work just recently discontinued using "pure" bacteria balls, and I was able to take those home- contemplating using them in starting a cycle.
You said “balks”. LOL ok, sorry. Try it with pure ammonia and see!
What blows my mind is most fish stores here in Ontario Canada will ask the size of your tank when buying fish like cichlids but nothing about having a cycled tank
That's weird
Great info, for one of the most common asked questions of many fb groups/pages. Love Fritz a.c.c.r powder, been working great for me and outlast the liquids.
Thanks for watching friend!
Not a first time fish keeper here but you asked how I do it . I have just finished cycling a new 14 gallon tank for a beta fish , I seeded the filter with some media from another tank added enough ammonia to make 2ppm and waited for it to disappear testing each day .just live plants added including devils ivy . I added more ammonia each time it was gone until it was gone within 24 hours of dosing , I never saw any sign of nitrite and it took 10 days . Just a water change now prior to adding fish . I never do fish in cycle .
If it works for you, it is right for you! Thanks for sharing.
I just love love your videos!!
You're straight on and don't sugar coat anything!
Thanks so much!
You're welcome
Glad I found your channel. Very helpful, thank you!
You're welcome.
Made this process simple and very informative thank you
You're welcome!
Thank you!! This is so straightforward and simple.
Glad it was helpful!
While doing fish in cycle, I've heard not to disturb the substrate. But what if there is alot of fish waste on substrate? Can I do a light substrate surface vacuum or leave it?
Why not to disturb the substrate?
something i really learned from this in general is: ask questions. most people dont and dont think about it but honestly, if you have product x and it states that its doing this and that, manufacturers have websites and support emails. one should really not be happy with the fact a product is doing something but actually ask them for numbers on just what exactly a product is doing in detail
Yup
My issue with test strips is that they don’t usually test ammonia which is pretty important for the fish-in cycle.
Then get ones that do.
Always enjoyable but most of all...sincere. Good man.
Thanks!
I’ve done this method in a 32gal with a dozen Exodon tetras. Except I used a small bottle of Fritz complete when I filled the tank and then used Seachem Prime and Stability every other day for a week, had the fish for about six months and never lost one till I traded ‘em in for some fancy goldfish.
Nice!
I just redid my 110g with new gravel and decor, I got my friends dirty canister filter fiber and put it in a hang on filter and dumped about half a gallon of his dirty water from the filter along with 1 bottle of Fritz 7 and added several plants. Im hoping it’s enough beneficial bacteria to offset the upcoming ammonia spikes until the tank is fully cycled.
Ok. But this video explains how NOT to need any of that.
I’m rofl 🤣 the bloopers about Sarah.
Great info thanks 🙏
LOL, always the bsdt part!
ohhh my god thank you so much, my mom bought us bettas in a bowl and me being the obsessive person i am, obsessed over it and now we own two tanks, and my brothers tank is so fucked rn and we can’t do a regular cycle bc 1. we don’t have spare tanks and 2. we can’t temporarily house it in an average fishbowl because we have cats that will LITERALLY KILL IT, i’ll be getting this set up for my brother tomorrow thanks for telling this so clearly, i actually picked up seachem prime and the api master kit the other day so i’m all ready for this! thanks again!
If you are in the US, I sell seeded sponge filters also. That will instant cycle your betta tanks.
Super relevant to my current situation. Thanks for doing the research on the toxin neutralization per dose of both products.
Glad it was helpful!
Fritz didn’t help cycle my tank. Never saw nitrites. Had ammonia at .5ppm with fish in cycle. Was forced to do daily 50% water changes. Followed directions to the T on Fritz Zymes.
Switched to Stability and tank cycled in 6 days.
I think it was just you were not producing enough ammonia initially.
Keeping it real ... I need this in writing ... you entertain me for some reason but I don’t know how to concentrate !!! Lol
LOL, that's funny!
Will the prime condition the water and add the good bacteria needed? Or should i use prime and maybe stability...or should i only use prime after conditioning my water?
No, prime does not add any bacteria. Prime (or fritz complete) is a water conditioner.
Omg I finally understand more about fish in cycling. Just 3 questions im having.
1
Its the nitrate gonna drop down on themself or? Because this part did not understood.
2. Im getting babies constantly from my 2 female guppy and mollie so number increases constantly. How to keep safe all?
3.regarding seachem prime do u dose daily at the ammount of nitrate you have or? Thank you
Thank you so much for this video. It is really confusing starting a new aquarium,and my 10 gallon isn't cycled,and I have a betta. I'm using prime. I hope it works.
If fed correctly, a betta tank may never cycle because of the minimal bio load. Don't over think it, if your fish is healthy that is all that matters.
Thank you for the info! I was curious about gravel vacuuming. I currently have 6 fish in my 40 gallon, uncycled tank (we fell for a Petco scam, that after 3 days of having the tank.. we’re good)
Anywho, one of those being a bumblebee catfish, and one being a rubber pleco.. bottom feeders haven’t been eating the food we’re giving them yet.. should I be doing extra gravel vac to keep ammonia down? Like daily to remove excess food that was left behind? (Even when we feed small, small amounts some of the food gets left behind)
It wouldn't hurt. But maybe change the food to something they eat.
Haha love the bloopers!!
Best part
@@MichaelsFishRoom no all the valuable info is the first.. second is the bloopers... keep the info coming... your helping all of us
Thank you for your info, Question when you say use 5 times the amount of Prime, are you referring to the dosage? I have a 10 gallon tank with one betta and I'm having a hard time getting ammonia down to 0. I've done multiple 50 percent water changes and tested but it's always at 0.50 ppm. My nitrites are blueish lavender, not quite 0.25 ppm. The tank is over a month old and even if I don't feed the fish, the readings are the same. I think it's the tap water. Do I use 5 times the dosage for a 10 gallon tank with prime? Or any other suggestions? Thanks
First, yes that is what I mean. Second, check your source water. A 10 gallon with one betta will take forever to cycle because the bio load is so small.
I always do two 40% water changes a week for 4 weeks then do my once a week. Never lost a fish in fish in cycle.
Why?
Thank you for including the danger zone ppm.. no one does that!! I end up freaking out at any ammonia and do an emergency water change -which In turn stresses my fish out and estarte my cycle. As of last night Amazon sold out if Frits complete.. :-(
Www.kjeaquatics.com
If I have a 5gal planted tank with 1 betta fish, can I just do 100% water change every 2 weeks and never cycle? Will the plants and fish be ok?
It will cycle itself.
Lmao, I love this pretend tank description. Best tank ever.
LOL....you know it's true!
Thank you for this great 2.0 video. My cycle crashed from meds, and so I am starting the fish in cycle all over again...it had just finished cycling. 🤦🏼♀️ Sigh. Last fish in cycle, I dosed daily 1ml of Seachem per 1ppm total of ammonia and nitrites combined up to 5ml/5ppm. Water changes if it goes above that. This sounds a bit like that, but I think you mentioned testing and treating every 2 days if I heard that right.
You did it right. I advise to test because many new fish keepers need to learn that.
Yea we
if i wanted to change my sponge filter to a smaller one, how long do i have to keep my big filter in there to transfer the bacteria to my smaller filter? thank you
As long as possible, but if you follow this video, you can do it sooner.
@@MichaelsFishRoom thank you
Another great video thanks for teaching us in easy terms to understand.
My pleasure! But TBH, I am just a dumb guy with a camera, so......
I love your videos! I take notes cause I'm very very new at fish hobby . How much of the prime would you use for this process for 55 gal tank?
1 dose for every PPM ammonia or Nitrite
Hi Michael awesome video. Lots of info on this video.
Glad it was helpful!
@@MichaelsFishRoom it was
Thank you so much for the time and effort to make these videos. Quick question for you… using Prime. Say I’m looking to detoxify 1ppm ammonia and 2 ppm nitrite. Would only one dose do both or would you add them together and do 2 doses (I’ve read this before on another site).
Thank you
2
Excellent information, thanks Mike 😊
Thanks for watching.
@@MichaelsFishRoom you're welcome
Hello, thank you so much for this video. Really helps a beginner like me! Having said, I have a question (please bear with me). Do I 5 times dose everyday until my tests show 0ppm ammonia & nitrite, and 10 nitrate? Or only day 1?
Also, just want to make sure I get "dose 5 times" right, for example, if it says to add 1mL on a 5 gallon tank, I add instead 5mL, is that correct?
Only if you have 5 PPM. If you have 3 ppm, only dose 3X.
Thank you for the information. It has helped me a great deal. Once I finish this cycle in 1 week . When is it safe to start adding more fish?
I would wait at least a few weeks, to let the cycle completely stabilize.
I personally havent tried the fritz products as I already have a working set up system that works for me.
But I would agree if the product works as stated that fish in cycle should be a fairly easy one for most new hobbyist fish keepers.
My fish in cycle is the old school way by doing the water changes daily. It may take a short time longer to complete the cycle but it works nonetheless. And honestly I have been doing it so long that I dont even test my water anymore.
It's almost natural to me as to when I need to do a water change and how much be it during cycle or normal maintenance on the tanks.
And tho I have my own way that works for me there is nothing wrong with doing it the way it works for you.
There are a few ways to fish in cycle your new tanks. The best advice is to research the ways and pick the one that works for you.
Well said!
How many days/weeks does it usually finish? My friend has a 10 gal and impulsively bought a betta lol
@@john3497A that all depends on how you go about it. It can take as little as a few weeks to many months.
On avrage a fresh cycle takes 3 months or so depending on stocking levels.
So after watching your two videos on this topic, this is what I gathered. Day1 5x dose. Day3 test and if below bad ammonia and nitrite lvls, 5x dose again. If over bad levels, do 50% water change. Day 5, repeat day3 process. Day 7 repeat Day 5 process and so on until tank is cycled at 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and less than 40ppm nitrates. Did I get it right? Also, on the first video you say 2x dose, here you say 5x dose, which one is it after the first initial dose? Thanks in advance this video is awesome.
Thanks for watching, and yes!
Hi! Thanks for the video, the first day I know you do 5X the dose but when repeating do you do 5X or 2X?
Depends on the level, you only dose as much as you need, so if you ammonia is 3 PPM, you would only dose 3X.
Fantastic video, Michael! Your insights are incredibly helpful. I just wanted to clarify: Should the conditioner be re-dosed every 2 days? And what would be the recommended dosage for 1PPM Ammonia and 0 PPM Nitrite? I’m currently using the API Master Kit, though I'm aware Nitrite readings might be off.
I feel terrible to admit - I thoroughly researched before setting up my tank but my patience wore thin with the fishless cycle as there was no sign of Ammonia after a week but just debris and fungus collecting from the rotting fish food. In a moment of desperation, I began adding fish gradually starting with some Golden Algae Eaters, following advice from the shopkeeper who assured me the tank would cycle over a couple of months with consistent 50% weekly water changes with no harm to the fish. Still I couldn't help but panic when I noticed a dreaded 1PPM of Ammonia. Immediately, I dosed with Prime, added Stability that I've been dosing since the start of the tank and also added in API Quick Start. I then came to research more with hopes of finding a safe way to continue the cycle without harming my fish and stumbled upon your video. I'm gonna cry with guilt if I lose any of them prematurely :'( Thanks for any advice you can offer!
Yes, check every 36-48 hours and dose as needed. In my opinion, stability is. It needed and a waste of money.
@@MichaelsFishRoom Thank you for the prompt reply!
Hi Michael, thank you for the valuable insights. I’m doing a fish in cycle as we speak and have been recording everything daily. However a couple of days ago my PH dropped to 6.0and I changed the water twice and is now around 6.5 to 6.8. There is Ammonia in the tank around 0.5 to 1.0PPM with no nitrites or nitrates and the fish are eating well but the water is cloudy and they seem a bit slower than usual. I use prime and stability daily. What should I do ? A bit lost because I did not anticipate the challenge with PH changing. Any advice would be much appreciated!! Thank you.
First, you need to determine your actual PH, take water from your tap, let it sit 25 hours, measure your PH. That’s your true PH. Next, stop changing water if you follow my method.
@@MichaelsFishRoom thank you so much !! I have stopped changing the water but will test the tap water PH overnight. So should I still be seeing the nitrites using prime when the cycle finally kicks in ? Or will it be Ammonia going down to 0 and nitrates appearing ? And how long would it take ? Thanks again !!
you will still see the process, the prime does not get rid of the ammonia, it just neutralizes it. As far as time, I would say a few days.😊
@@MichaelsFishRoom Amazinf thank you so much. 😊😊
You just helped us save TWO aquariums!!!!!! You are awesome 👌
Nah, just handsome and funny.
What tests are you using after dosing the tank? After I use prime, the ammonia or nitrites never change, hence why ammo lock works woth the api system.
Yes, it would not change. As I say in the video, it only neutralizes it. You need the ammonia to feed the BB to complete the cycle. There is no need for Ammo lock.
Does this effect the bacteria from growing by adding the seachem prime or fritzes product every day or two u til the numbers are down ?
Nope. The ammonia is still there, is just harmless to fish.
What about API QuickStart. Any reviews on this product?
Yup, it doesn't work. The BB we need has to be refrigerated like Fritz Zyme 7 from www.kjeaquatics.com
5times dosing means give 5x the recommended dosing for my size tank correct?
Yes
I have two bettas (seperated) but i've noticed one is hanging out near the top and not eating so I researched and read it might be the nitrogen cycle. Would you recommend adding gravel to sustain any beneficial bacteria and decrease the amounts of time needed to test water quality? Thank you for the insight!
New gravel? Is there an established filter? Do you understand the nitrogen cycle?
The clips at the end are pure gold 🥇 😂👌
The bloopers are always the best part!
Thank you, Michael.
Just a quick question:
Is it okay to start with Seachem Stability for building starter bacteria? And then, maybe 3 days later putting the fish?
Before putting the water in the tank, I have a large bucket with treated water (Seachem Prime) which I am always using.
After that, it should be enough to keep an eye on the water parameter and the fish, right?
Thank you!
I’ve never used it, and don’t think highly of it.
Hi Michael just wanted to ask do I still continue to feed my axolotl during the fish in cycle? Thanks
Why not?
Ok cool I was advised by another person not to but I think I’ll follow you guide matey great video by the way too 👍
Hey Michael! I love your videos! Quick question: when I looked onto Fritz’s website, there is a little infographic that says the detoxification rates for Complete are as follows:
.5ppm ammonia, 1.0ppm nitrite, 15ppm nitrate. I wonder if the product has changed over the years now? What are your thoughts?
Thanks!!
Don't know, When I made this video, I reached out to FRITZ directly for my information.
how often do you have to use the seachem prime to keep it active'?
Watch the video again, I explain everything and most importantly, why.
Your greeting made me subscribe x333 Fishy fellas hehe~
Lol, welcome!
I used Amquel for 30 years until I noticed Prime was cheaper.
1. Add tank water from another tank
2. Add filter media from another tank
3. Add a few fish, test daily for Ammonia/nitrite/nitrates
4. Watch Michael’s Fishroom
5. When readings are 0/0/going up, add more fish
6. Make fun of Michael
7. Drink tea and have some red beans on toast
LOL
Stay in the UK please.
@@sambucher3162 You spelled California wrong.
Your description of tank decor and species by two's was hilarious!!
LOL, thanks.
Don't you have to continue extra dosing for the in fish cycle every 48 hours? I read the bond to detoxify only lasts 48 hours and you have to redose for the amount tested for. Is that true? If so, how many times can you extra dose before it becomes unsafe?
As I said in the video, you only need to dose for the amount at the time of dosing, also as I said, you are only doing that until the BB catches up.
Does Aqueon betta bowl plus do the same thing prime does ??? I’m trying to figure out what to do for my bettas tank because I don’t know if Aqueon beta bowl plus is the same as prime the lady at the pet store told me it works the same so I’m trying to find out from others
It’s not the same. Fritz complete is my goto water conditioner. That’s what I use.
Hi Michael, thank you!! Great stuff. So do we need to dose once only or how often? In previous video you recommended dosing every other day.
Same! Thanks for watching
@@MichaelsFishRoom adding dose of beneficial bacteria every other day will speed up the process? Or I should not?
Hi, when you say 5 times dose, is that 5 times the amount each time? I have to say you’ve made a lot of sense, I did exactly what you said, I got a tank on sale but my friends made everything sound confusing so I asked at the shop and they said just add the fish 🤦🏼♂️ learning the hard way week 7 on the cycle and still not doing well but only be putting the required dosage in?
Yes 5 times dose is 5X the amount you would normally add, so if you put one capful, it would be 5 capfuls.
Good luck!
Thanks - doing this method now! Does the 5x dosing slow down the cycling process in any way? Not sure if the detoxification of ammonia will have any impact on the duration.
Not that I have experienced
Perfect! Thank you! Great video!
Thanks!
You must be from NY-you are EPIC! Thank you.
LOL...North Jersey.....Plus Im a Gen X....so IDGAF. 😎
So def new to this.. day 8 on new tank only have rocks, filter and heater in the tank and the water is still cloudy… I do have test strips if the levels are good can I add fish 🐠 to the tank or do I wait until the water is clear ?
Watch my “what is the nitrogen cycle video”
I didn't do research about bettas and I got a betta without my mother's permission because I am a horrible child and my mother said I needed to cycle the tank and I already had the fish so this will save my fish thank youuu
LISTEN TO YOUR MOTHER!
@@MichaelsFishRoom I really should have. I'm doing fish in cycling and the fish is doing fine.
@@MichaelsFishRoom we got her a 10 gallon tank as well she was in a 3 gallon tank when I got her
@@Kai-xz6or Great!
Might be a silly question but should you be doing partial water changes to remove fish poo in the water or do i want to be leaving the poo in the water creating ammonia?
Do you understand the nitrogen cycle?
When you say 5x dose. Do you mean add it 5 times over the course of a day or 5x the normal dose all at once ?
5X all at once
Hi I was wondering if u could help me please I have no nitrate but also have no amaeno or anything else have I crashed my cycle?
Email me through my website please
Very informative as usual 👍
Thanks 👍
Do you offer any smaller seeded sponge filter? Like for a 10-20 gallon?
Yup
I rushed the process a little too much by adding too much fish. Never read ammonia once on my tests but with adding fish daily and not having enough beneficial bacteria for the nitrite to convert to nitrate gave me nitrite 0.5/1ppm. Currently dosing seachem prime & stability daily
Why both?
Im doing a Minnie fish in cycle i Change my substrate for a 10 gallon tank Now my levels are 0 nitrite 0 Ammonia and 5 Nitrates so how do i get rid of the rest of the nitrates ? water change? Or keep dosing prime? Fyi brand new with fish ..
Nitrates under 40 PPM is fine. Watch my “nitrogen cycle” video.
Hey so Im trying to do your new way of cycling. Question - In the beginning you said frtiz will detoxify 1 1/2 ammonia, 1ppm nitrIte, 10ppm nitrAte. but around minute 7:10 you say 7 1/2 or less and then 5ppm or 10ppm or less of nitr(a)te, at least thats what it sounds like. I just need to know its nitr(a)te or nitr(i)te. Sorry for the dumb question. - tried to write you through your website but it wouldnt work
Nitrite is the important one.
@@MichaelsFishRoom Youre amazing thank you so much!
Hi.. thanks for the video it was very helpful. I bought the Fritz complete.. I want to use the five times dose but can you tell me how much Fritz complete do I use for my 5 gallon tank
Not sure. You should email Fritz for the best information.
Did fritz complete work for you?
Hello :) we are doing this as unfortunate newbies but haven't lost fish (only have 3 tetra glowfish in a 20 gal) Its been a week of feeding them normally and ammonia has remained at 0. Shouldn't it have gone up by now? Adding 1 dose of seachem prime every other day just in case. Thanks for any advice!
We only have 3 tetra glowfish and haven't lost any to be more clear.
The bio load of 3 small fish is basically nothing, so I think it’s ok.
I just changed my hangon filter with a canister and the next day the tank was super cloudy and the ammonia levels were off the chart. I immediately got the old filter media, added it to the canister and waited. It’s cycling but slowly. I have fish already there and the sensitive plants have already melted away. I’m doing 75% water change. I haven’t lost fish yet but I’m afraid for them. Any other advice to speed things along?
No need to change water if you follow this video.
Got a great video idea for you. Can you cycle two identical tanks, seeding with ammonium chloride, so fishless of course. But with one tank turbo start and the other tank just let time take its course? Adding ammonium chloride (the same amount in each tank) when needed to keep the ammonia up. Would be interesting to see if fritz truly does speed up the cycling process
Too much work.
Do you need API quick start as well?
Did I mention anything about that?
Thank you! I am new and thought I had a cycled tank...I was wrong and was using an old batch of test strips for chem levels. I went to API master and low and behold found that my ammonia was 0 ppm, but nitrites off the charts. UGH, I already have three Otos in the new 75 gal. So I've been following your advice and my nitrites are still dark purple after 24 hours. I'm going to continue (what choice do I have?) but my question is this; aren't I essentially "killing" the food source of the beneficial bacteria each time I dose up the prime/and stability? How can I get the bacteria that eats nitrites to grow, if there is no ammonia for the other bacteria to eat......? I'm killing the nitrites with prime, but saving the fish, yet also perpetuating me having to dose with prime and killing the nitrites.... ????? (75 gal, planted, good flow, good aeration, couple snails, 3 otos((feeding zucchini)), plants meltback and conversion complete-growing well)
Nope, the Prime just NEUTRALIZES the ammonia and Nitrite, it does not "get rid of it" keep it up and be patient. Good luck!
@@MichaelsFishRoom thank you! Will do