Water Purifier

how long will it take to cycle my tank?

Filed under Water by admin

Nina asked:


I got a new 60 gallon tank, i have had water in it for about 3 days, its a sand bottom i have a filter and i just put in new plants. i have put water purifier in the water.

i would like to know what i have to do to help it cycle. The lady at the pet store told me to put fish food in the water.
Also how long will it take?

I have a iredesent shark that i want to put in and i want to know when its going to be safe fore him to go in there.

Kristofer

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• Jay

  December 28, 2008 | 9:15 PM
  

  Please read this article on cycling your tank.

  If you have further questions, sign up on those forums, and the good people there will answer all your questions

  PS: Good job on researching before diving in

• Cordi

  December 31, 2008 | 1:58 AM
  

  hey there,

  every aquarium is different.. as such it can take anywhere from 1-8 weeks for it to cycle.

  there are many different ways to cycle a tank, most people just leave it until there is no Ammonia, Nitrite and between 5-10 Nitrate.

  The best product on the market for bacteria is Tetra SafeStart. using this product and adding Pure Ammonia to your tank will greatly speed up the cycle as you give the bacteria the food it needs to begin with. you will need a Test Kit for it though, or take a water sample to your local aquatic store and ask them to test it (but only if it is free).

  here is a link on how to do it:

  Another way to speed up the cycle is by adding decor from your older tank to the new one. Adding sand, Ornaments, filter pads will add the bacteria to the tank which will help build up a colony of bacteria a lot faster then.

  here is another link if you don’t want to use the Ammonia method: