HOW TO cycle an aquarium in 8 ways
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ม.ค. 2018
- Today i go over 8 different methods you can use to cycle your freshwater aquarium fish tank. While this is a focus on freshwater aquariums, many of these methods can be used for saltwater as well.
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I'm so proud that there are people like you on the internet now! My family and I didn't know much about fish years ago, so we would lose several fish whenever we would start up an aquarium. We weren't educated about the nitrogen cycle; I actually didn't know most of the details until I went to college for Biology. All we used was the dechlorinator drops. Now that I know about these videos, I share the info with my family. I plan on starting a 20 gallon soon because I'm so interested in having a successful aquarium. Thank you, Joey!
This is the first video I’ve seen on establishing a tank I’ve had to learn the hard way because of the pet stores suggesting “just run the tank for a week and you will be fine” I would like to see some more of these kinds of videos
I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW MUCH THIS HAS HELPED ME, FANTASTIC PRESENTATION , GREAT JOB , THANK YOU KINDLY
I never understood why fish stores don't sell established media.
Bankruptjojo is not recommended to use biological media of a rack system from a petstore cause probably has parasites or other things you don't want in your aquarium
My lfs (local fish store) offers to give you some mulm for free from their sponge filters. Of course I trust them because they take tip top care of their tanks, and source their fish from solid responsible sources. No illness to worry about.
Franco Gamboa assuming your buying fish from the same place not sure it matters... You would have to treat either way right? We're talking about a new tank not adding to established one.
Also I don't go to box stores and most don't use sumps just sponge filters.
Bankruptjojo is the same thing , if you buy used media you don't now if that media have already parasites , sickness etc , in that case better have some extra cycled media on standby like Joey . And if you're talking about a first aquarium ... just let nitrogen cycle do the job
Franco Gamboa I'm a very experienced fish keeper. Again if your starting off your first aquarium there is no harm in using media from a store your buying the fish from... I would not recommend buying fish from one store then buying cycled media from another... Your acting like it's ok to buy fish from a store but not media, how does that make any sense? Good chance most parasites won't even be on the media only fish.
I’m Scottish, so I know the way I say things can be weird, but the way you say “opinion” is amazing!!!
Christy Alcroft LOL to funny, I spent most of the time watching him waiting for him to say O-pinion
I pour that liquid gold in my vegetable garden, plants seem to love that to :D
My father's lawn gets it water from his pond and grass is always green
Haven't cycled your aquarium before adding fish?
You're not the only one. I made the same mistake. Here's how you could hopefully mitigate the problem:
1. Regular small water changes ( once every 3 days)
2. Plenty of plants
3. Don't disturb the substrate unless you're vacuuming it. All the bacteria and waste particles will go up, and you don't want this to happen
4. Learn how much to feed. Underfeeding won't kill your fish but overfeeding will kill in more ways than one
My aquarium hasn't cycled yet, but this has helped me keep my tank healthy and lively.
Hope this helps
Small water changes?
Hey joey, please make a full video for beginners on setting up an aquarium including the setup of filtration and nitrogen cycle and easy ways for beginners in stocking fish and maintaining their aquariums without fish loss.
I first started keeping first I was 12 or 13 years old and I had no idea what the heck I was doing; that was about fifty years ago.
It was a lot of dead fish and trial and mostly error in the beginning. Back then pet stores tended to be more interested in selling you something then actually helping you solve the issue.
The best suggestion that I have is most cities tend to have an active aquarium clubs or societies - these are one of the best places to get help, advice and etc. There is a large collection of knowledge available from these people and most are willing to help people new to the hobby. Most societies have monthly meetings - just introduce yourself and mention that you are new to the hobby and you will probably be inundated with members offering to help you with just about any question you have.
Vesta Freyja I
I used a feeder molly and some bottled API bacteria to cycle my 160 litre tank. The molly survived and I slowly added fish over a period of 2 weeks, sorted. This was 2 years ago and my molly is still here 👍
they are nice tough fish, but just grab some gravel from an old tank next time
Caine yes I just got a 190 litre corner tank, I will use my established media from my other tank. No need for feeder fish now 👍
@DLS Shares Inc If you added in fish flakes into the oldest tank then i'd say 2 months is fine. Please get a test kit (Tetra Test 6-in-1 Strips Aquarium is great) to make sure the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate levels are safe though - it really just saves you a lot of trouble later on too if/when the fish get sick. Just a handful of gravel from the oldest tank into the others is fine and leave that for a few days and test the water please before adding the fish in.
Nice video! To feed the bacteria, instead of a shrimp, I've always used just fish food. Simply adding some flakes, like feeding invisible fishes :D, and it works great.
Yes, more simple beginner videos!!! I've watched a number of vids on this topic in the past, and have always come out feeling overwhelmed and discouraged, like I'd never be able to set up a tank. This is the first such video that made it sound simple and accessible enough for me to actually do someday. Thanks Joey! I'd love to see something on basics of checking water parameters.
Nice to see something that resembles education again! Looking back at some of your old videos, some are difficult to watch. You could easily inspire a whole new group of fish keepers by going back and redoing some of those old videos. But now you're more polished on camera. Plus your gear is so much better now!
More than 3 years later and this is BY FAR the best informational video on how to cycle an aquarium. I thought it was so funny at the end when you said you made this video on a whim and while being sick. I have 2 cycled aquariums (20G and 5G). I bought a 65G to house a few EBCs and Geos. Used MULM and Filter media from my 20G and BAM - tank is cycled and now my EBCs and Geos are living happily in the tank with ZERO issues 3 weeks later.
Seriously, I watched maybe 20 videos on cycling (Didn't want to lose any fish, like I mistakenly did with my other 2 tanks) and you nailed it man.
I want to do the shrimp thing and tell people "This is my shrimp tank.".
Nice summary. I personally love having some extra sponge filters on hand, which are great for instant cycling.
I think you did a great job. I like that your videos seem so unscripted. You must have a great memory for keeping it all straight. Good job. Fellow Canuck...
Keep doing these beginner videos please. They are helpful to me, (a beginner) and full of lots of good information. :)
Hey Joey! Love your videos! I recently started a second aquarium. The method I chose was to add media from another tank, add bottled bacteria, add fish food, and lastly add the fish waste from an established canister filter. It worked great! I moved angelfish fry and they are going strong. Thanks for all your knowledge.
Any one else waiting on more than three videos a week? I’m addicted to this channel and there isn’t enough anymore lol
Tyler Hawkins I am also addicted in Australia they come out usually around 5-6am Monday and Wednesday. I'm usually one of the first hundred viewers.
thanks for the amazing video dude and also how i started was i saved a red ear slider from my grandmas house some of my other family members had to leave him for a while and he was in a garage with dirty water and no sunlight or lights at all and now 10 years later he's still kickin and he's about 16 years old.
I recently returned to the hobby having not had any tanks up for over eighteen years. I still have tanks all packed and lugged all over. I took out a ten gallon first checked it still good still sealed no need even to repair or replace silicone, good packing does this. I took that tank on Dec. 14th an cleaned it after checking it over I used vinegar first followed by baking soda to scrub scrub scrub using a five gallon bucket of water that had been sitting for 5 days with a cheese cloth cover over a heat vent. I tested my water using test strips new of course I kept none of my old test stuff. I then took my clean tank and HOB also cleaned and put both outside in the rain for 6 days. Another bucket of water and the retested tank and back in side we went. I put my sub straight in it is fluvall grow with a thin cap of small stones all rinsed all clean and a part of my large collection of rocks and some Madrona drift wood I had picked up some years ago also all cleaned. I rebuilt my HOB refilled my tank installed a new heater and went to work on my way home I got some plants and two mystery snails and a bottle of Tums. I stocked my tank with these and extra bio media. My tank is still getting stable and my snails have had baby snails my plants are recovering from melt. I am in no rush.
I started with a 5 gal and a fancy goldfish then found you on here watched and watched and watched, now i have a 70 odball comunity tank and a 25 pea puffer tank and everyones all happy! Thanks Joey! you ROCK!
Love when Joey gets all Science-y! The King of DIY, The Science Guy!!
Interesting video, however some of these methods do not seem suitable for tanks smaller than 50 litre / 11 gallons that only have a basic sponge filter mounted internally. A video on how to start and cycle an average sized aquarium would be really useful!
About 18 months ago i got a 24 gallon(120L) and for 4 weeks we did the fishless cycle but we had mulm and plants.
Who ever is reading this I hope you have a great day and live life to the fullest
This is just what I needed. I made some mistakes recently with my fish tank, and its cycling at the moment. Very helpful
As always, great info Joey. I cycled my first tank, a 20 gallon long with 4 rosy red minnows. I also used some ceramic media from my pond , already cycled. They all survived and are still alive 2 years later! I built a 10 gallon sump last month for my 29 display tank, overkill I know but the bio media chamber gives me tons of room for extra media. I have over a kilogram of ceramic media in bags and a fluidized filter with a gallon of K1 micro. It's enough bio media for a 75 gallon display. This allows me to only do water changes twice a month instead of weekly. Plus I have tons of extra media to help start up my pond in the spring and any new aquariums quickly. I use Xtreme Green Clean liquid bacteria for all my aquariums and pond. You dose it every day for 2 weeks then twice weekly. My water tests prove to me it works. Not pushing or plugging their product I just know it has worked for me for the last few years. Hope you feel better soon Joey! Thanks again.
I can watch these videos over and over again, lol. i'm a fish keeper as well and there's always something new to learn! such an exciting life having fishes, lol.
Seriously the best way to explain this to beginners! Thank you so much this helped a lot!
I really like this style of video, somewhat back to the basics but still in depth enough to be really interesting and informative. Keep it up!
your the only person who can explain this subject well good on you mate
Dude. I started watching your videos and became addicted to keeping fish. My wife HATED all the aquariums I was buying and putting in our house. Well, she just filed for a divorce and moved out. Now I have an empty house and a broken heart. Now I have all this space and extra time on my hands. And I plan on using both to further my new hobby! Lol
Mr. Matt Sounds like a win lose
It's not directly related to the aquariums but they didn't help. I think they were the straw that broke the camels back.
sounds like a win win
My very first aquarium, I didn’t know about cycling. It took me several years to find out what it meant. But my next most recent new aquarium i never tested! Wow, I had growing plants and just started with a few guppies, then added more each time. I did start testing but only for ammonia. I most likely killed some fish, but haven’t lost any fish due to spikes since. As now i use the three testing methods for optimum results and water changes consistently. But now I am getting read for a 55 gallon to house my new cichlids and will be using a couple of your methods for the cycling process. I like the shrimp in the tank method and the “mulm” method as I already have two tanks set up and cycled. So, I will be doing this in the next month or so, but thanks as I am excited to cycle my 55.
That big tank is looking beautiful with all those big guys swimming around👍
Thank you for this video! Your timing is perfect! Even though i have been following fish-tubers for over a year now, i am just finally getting ready for my first tank have recently started to plan everything out. I've been contemplating I was gonna attempt cycling and you posted this! As always, super informative. Thank you!!!
Bottled bacteria has always worked for me. I moved 30 fish into a brand new aquarium and I didn't have any spare established media for it, due to using the prior aquarium for other fish. I used the recommended dose of bacteria every day for 7 days, stable parameters throughout and zero fish deaths.
I would love a discussion about how Gh and Kh affect Ph.
Robert Keith this is good information to understand. I second your comment with a thumbs up.
My daughter's betta died in Sept of last year ( a gift from us for Christmas the year before in which my husband promised to take care of with her and which they didn't of course) so he brought 5 fish for a 3.5 gal... needless to say I had to learn quick since they had all the common dieses they get with stress and poor water conditions. I'm proud though that 3 are currently still alive. Oh,and we got a 36 gal tank because fish keeping is addictive for me! Lol
perfect video for anyone not on your level of this hobby
Amazin vid as always! You asked about " the first setup "... When I started my first tank (10gal), it was pre internet of any type (yup, I'm old) and information was scarce. The only advise I was given was to get some rocks with algea or slime on them, and a small piece of wood if possible, from a nearby lake or river. I was told it was "to make the fish more at home" but thinking back I believe it provided some of the necessary bacteria to deal with the waste. A side note... back then, we never heard of water treatment chems for an aquarium... we've come a long way.
YOU HAVE TO EAT THE CAN OF
"Frank & Beans" PLZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ YOU HAVE TO IF THIS COMENT GETS 10 thumbs up you should do it!!!!!
wow thats so funny
My friend got me into the hobby many years ago, and helped me setup a 10 gallon. He gave me a Gold Calvus cichlid he didn't want, along with two pearl danios. He said they would cycle the tank for me, and that I could add more in a few weeks.
I had then started working for a huge tropical fish store, and learned so much in those two years. I'm 21 now, and have kept dozens of different tanks. I'd never have used fish alone (even feeders) to cycle a tank... it's just not necessary. Thankfully, I do still have the gold calvus in my mixed cichlid community :)
This video was perfect timing! My husband and I finally have out new 55 gal set up and we are working on cycling it now.
I set up my aquarium by planting it. I used aqua soil substrate and planted heavily. The aqua soil at first leached ammonia, but after 2 weeks, the level was zero ppm. There was plant growth already and all the while, a new hang on back was running.
WOW Joey! That was the best instructional video about starting up an aquarium, that I have seen. Your explanations were so easy to understand and made more sense than most. Thank you. Looking forward to you starting a whole series of aquarium-related topic videos. Love ya
mate!🐠 🐟 🐡Australia🐠 🐟 🐡
You have amazingly decorated aquariums! How creative and your video was very informative. Thanks!
Thanks Joey, I really enjoy these type of videos there super helpful even too someone that's kept fish for a long time and even more so to the new comers to the hobby.
Lol hope your feeling better, just to mention, you can cycle a tank with plants, decaying leave and die back helps to kick start the process. Also some substrates leach ammonia that helps with cycling.
I was lucky enough to have and old school uncle that had a whole basement full of aquariums when I was a kid , he taught me that just adding some used gravel from and existing tank in with your filter medium would start up a tank or as you said dirty filter medium was a quick way , so far I haven't had an addiction to multiple big tanks , I've got 3 - 5gal's tanks and 3 nano vase tanks with bettas , oh and 9 birds , ( gee I love my wife ) 😏
I hear ya. We have eleven cats and three fish tanks
Great video and topic - would like to see more like this. This applies to everybody. I loved how you staged each scene in front of a different aquarium and we got to watch the fish some while you talked.
I started my aquarium with ammonia a few years ago, then slowly added fish after the ammonia and nitrites went down, and nitrates showed up. I'm starting a new tank soon, and have picked up a lot from you - have been planning on using the malm/cycled media method.
So sorry to hear that you are sick. Hoping you get better soon. I so enjoy your videos I have learned so much from you. I do my best in viewing all your videos. your up beat attitude makes your videos so much fun to watch. Keep up thr good work
I started with little knowledge of the nitrogen cycle and therefore just slowly added fish whilst keeping an eye on things, which worked, luckily although I did face a couple of near death ammonia spikes
Hii Joey, so I work in a well know petstore corporation and knew nothing about fish when I started about a year and a half ago. I just wanted to let you know your videos are not only knowledgeable but interseting and have helped me in many ways.
Would you be able to do a basic starter, how to video on starting a freshwater tank, like dealing with ick, fin rot, that stability is more important them chasing the perfect ph. Or how temperature when doing water changes, or using the right conditioner can help make a huge difference.
Great video great change-of-pace from the recent videos. I love seeing all the inspiring fish gallery videos but I do love getting my learn on
I never knew how to cycle a tank until I got into discus. I cycled my tank using the liquid ammonia method. I cycled my tank for about 2 months. Testing the water every week. Making sure it was cycled before adding any discus.
Then after watching your channel, I started using cycled media from my canister filter. I found the cycled media was easier and faster. Watching your channel has made me a better fish keeper. Thanks Joey.
Chai Vang thumbs-up
Thanks for the shots of the tanks and fish while you speak!
Yes, Aquarium live cam please! Arrowana cam? Frank cam? Then I can play it on my tv and pretend I have an aquarium too.
I haven't had tanks for 40+ years and I ran a fish shop for 5+ years at the end of that time. HOWEVER - I knew nothing of the parameters of this until about a year ago as I began watching bloggers like you. Disclaimer, Salt water fish keeping was just starting and I did have a couple of tanks in my shop. That necessitated learning this for that, but I never connected the dots to apply it to fresh water. At that time I had plenty of established tanks, so no problem. I could have be lots more help to my customers with this knowledge though.
This was so helpful. Getting my first aquarium soon and wasn't sure how I'd do this, there's a lot of conflicting info out there. Thanks Joey!!
For me this is the video of the year! Great informations for a generous guy..
Just started my first ever tank cycle gonna drop in a prawn now👍
You are a very nice winger, and reputable too.
Thanks Joey, very Informative. Was wondering about this for a while and today you answered it by yourself. :)
Love from India.
I have been wanting to start a fish tank and have been looking for a good way to start a fish tank. I have been looking all over and as usually your VIDEOS ARE absolutely AMAZING!!!
So informative man I'm taking on my biggest venture with this 1200g and was looking for ways to expedite the N process and this was very helpful. Thanks a bunch
Good luck
I really like these informative videos and I'm looking forward to more.
These videos would have been killer when I got into my aquarium keeping
Thank you so much for making this video. I’ve watched you for a while now and I love your energy in your videos, it always gets me excited about my fish. Thank you for sharing your hobby and all the beautiful fish and fish tanks!!
Emery Morgan love how he talks fast no bullshit or filler
Amazing video, I started my last aquarium with bacteria in a bottle following the directions closely and monitored my water parameters by testing. However, I’m starting a new aquarium and will be trying using substrate from my estimated aquarium in a mesh bag placing into filter, and mulum from my pre-filter that idea is genius. Thanks for the advice
i still remember my 1st tank i did not do any of these methods. i just put water and anti chlorine. after that i just dump 2 silver arowana 3 inch size in it. Thankfully both still alive until now. when they grew about over 1 ft i put them on my pond. now i just hope they will make some babies soon.
babies yet?
I started my first tank in early 90s and it was a Cichlid tank. Eventually got into reef. But the information was so limited so I gave it all up. Joey keep up the good work! I learned so much information the last 2 weeks from your diy videos. You just got me back in the hobby. I plan to take my game room and turn it to a fish room!! Thanks again
Thanks Joey! I’ve been wanting to see a new cycling video from you. I’ve just got in the hobby with a 20 gal tank and these kind of videos help a lot
please make a video on maintenance of smaller aquarium
I can hear you are sick. Hope you get better soon.
Great info Joey, hope you feel better soon. I started my 2nd hand 75 gallons with the previous gravel and filter media. Added water and lots of mulm from my 20gal tanks filter and some fish. Great start. Thanks again for all your hard work.
Glad to see something interesting coming out of your channel in a while.
Joey great video boetie, hope this is the start you moving back in the info giving type videos like when I started to watch your videos, love what it has been transforming to also but miss the DIY/ Info giving type videos way, way more. Thaks for your efforts.
I just dropped a pair of Oscar's in a 30 gallon tank from Walmart when I was 14 lol now I'm getting back into the hobby 27 now and I have a 10 guppies in 110 gallon tank and am waiting till its cycleed to put a fahaka puffer into it thank God for youtube or id still be struggling dont worry the guppies will have a new home by the time I get my puffer
Thanks Joe just about to setup my second planted tank and this information is just what I needed. Thanks again love your work.
Great information!
Awesome video!! Learned A LOT!!
I think you’ve got the term “fishless cycle” a little confused. I always thought a fishless cycle was the category of cycling that had an artificial introduction of ammonia to start up the cycle. That can be pure ammonia, fish food, raw shrimp, etc. What you described as the fishless cycle wasn’t anything other than letting a tank sit and settle.
Yeah, you’re completely right and Joey is wrong on this one. A fishless cycle is where you add ammonia to simulate the fish, topping it up daily and testing the water until the filter is handling the ammonia
But he does talk about adding ammonia without fish...?
Loving on you from Louisiana!! Thank you for these beginner type videos!! Thank you thank you
Loved the video will watch again we are setting up 3 new tanks in addition to our 10 gal. We are adding a 29 gal, a 40 gal and another 10 gal. When we set up our first the pet store said wait 2 days then add them. Well some lived some died. We were clueless. Since I have been watching you and Rachel and are adding more tanks as we grow and learn. Thank you for the info!
never knew you had to do a cycle. growing up. we just put the fish in the tank and we always figured the filter was what kept everything clean. i guess we were wrong. my last tank broke out in iche. know i now why
Great videos but most impressive are the beautiful aquariums in your background. They look better than the ones at the pet stores by a mile.
There's also Diana Walstad method for planted aquarium using carefully researched and tested potting soil. Starting a tank with this method you will cycle your aquarium in 4-6 weeks. The soil used contains tons of bacteria and ammonium to cycle your aquarium. I have four nano aquariums that I started this way.
Thank you. Great video. You went over everything i was looking for.
I prefer the sushi method. Go out and treat your self to some good sushi. Take some left overs home with you. Take a piece of left over tuna, salmon, etc. and toss it in your tank. You get fed, the bacteria get fed, your future fish will eventually get fed. Everyone wins.
MK Soul I might try that when or if I start a new tank
the cameras focus has difficulty catching up with joeys hyperness hahaha
I have learned so much from you sir. You do an amazing job and are very very interesting as well as informative. I have a Koi I have had for almost 3.5 years now. I had her in a Aquaponics system and my uncle got me a 100 gallon tank. I moved her over not knowing all the things I had to do to take care of her. She got really sick and from what I learned from you as well as a ton of reading she is I think now safe. Thanks again for all you do.
Awesome video. Great to hear someone else’s ideas. I personally cycled my first tank by adding fish food to the water and monitored after that.
Can always add pure ammonia to the water to run the cycle
basic knowledge, but u made it so engrossing to watch. well done joey!
Thank you for this. I was hoping for more informational/instructional videos. I already knew most of the information, but reassurance from the king with some supplemental knowledge is always good. Please do more instructional stuff along with your gallery setup updates and stuff.
Thank you so much for this video, I pretty much winged it when i started my little tank for cycling and didn't want to do the same with my kids little tanks they just got for Christmas! I just set my son's tank up last night so this video was perfect timing!
The fishless cycle to me is better no suffering of your fish from the fish in method, if you make a mistake in fishless it is easily corrected. It took me a month to cycle with using seachem stability and pure ammonia. I added then 2 Bolivian rams first then waited 2 weeks before adding anymore fish. I have a 55 gallon aquarium with my 2 Bolivian rams, 6 black phantom tetras and 4 Roseline Sharks , I have never any issues with any my levels, I do my weekly water change and all is good . Fishless cycle works fine to me it is the only way to go
rachel dempster same i find it cruel using fish to cycle a tank
Great video like always. I started with the fish in method in a nano tank. Like the fish store told me. Fish died and the tank ended up cracking on the curve from top to bottom. Not the worst $1000 I've ever spent. But pretty close. Now I want to start 2 10g or 20g tanks with a water bridge linking them,and a 10g sump. This will all be in a 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 foot area.
This was really good and clean and gave ups and downs of all the methods ive heard of, which was really helpful :)
Keep it up and get well soon
Experience is being taken in to knowledge Mr. DIY King, thank you for a very explained video 😎👍, hope the family is doing well, from Houston Texas USA 👍.