Originally Posted by
Latro
I see what you mean. Yes, it does seem difficult to get a bioload sufficient to maintain a group of fish with a fishless cycle. You can add food or (unmodified) household ammonia, but inevitably your fish will generate more than you add. The key is to have them at a level where it will only take a few doublings to get to healthy levels, rather than 10+ doublings.
I think you mis understood me or perhaps I didn't word it correctly. I have used fishless cycles lots throughout the years and have never had a problem with getting a good amount of bacteria. I have only ever used ammonia for I feel that rotting food just isn't as effective.
I see your point about cross-contamination now. It seems much less severe than actually putting the fish in contact, but I agree that the risk is still nonzero.
Yes definatly not as severe as putting the fish together instantly, but I just like to eliminate the possibilities.
I've been doing the usual procedure for fishless cycling, so there is some bioload even though it is considerably less than a stocked tank.
Well if you are adding ammonia and monitoring it than I see no reason why the BB wouldn't be there. I was unaware that you were adding ammonia or food like a fishless cycle.
I think just stocking the tank with the newcomers, getting them a divider if they have trouble finding food, and doing frequent water changes should be OK. Maybe I'm overconfident, it's just that the only trouble I have had in my ~two years with discus hobby was with buying some fish from a bad supplier, and I'm not doing that this time.
I've seen a lot of skepticism about the bacteria products. I think I'd like to see at least one other positive opinion before using them.
I too have seen alot and part of me is skeptical aswell, I thing the main thing is understand what it actually does and what it does not do. Having a realistic expectation when using it is the first step IMO. I think that it works more in that it prevents the built up ammonia/nitrite from becoming toxic similar to what prime does. But I like to think that it atleast aids in establishing a colony of BB. I have no exact proof because I have not done a scientific study using a control tank and a additive tank, but I like to think that in certain situation it may help to a degree as long as the person doesn't expect it to be a magic little bottle full of live bacteria that will instantly colonize your filter material.
Pics will ensue.