BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Fish Can I cycle with an ADF?

I’m thinking of doing a “mini” betta/community theme tank with a 10 gal. I’d like to do a funky, futuristic “outer space” kind of a thing with African Dwarf Frogs, Albino Cory Cats, and find a nice opaque betta.

Since I’m going to be adding some cory cats (at least 3), and I’m going to be using a filter of some sort, I figure I should cycle the thing before I start populating it.

Question: can I cycle with ADF’s? I’ve heard you shouldn’t with the cory cats or the bettas. Since the ADF’s do produce bio-waste, does this not do the trick? Any thoughts, advice, etc.?

Thanks!!

great qustion, as i too am curious to know the answer. just yesterday i had to break down and sterilize my frogs' tank and wondered if i shold try to cycle it.

In my absolutely novice, unlearned opinion, I don't see why not? They produce waste, right? Doesn't that waste contain ammonia?

Oooo.....I'm thinking I might have to give'er a shot, if someone can't give me a reason why not.

I actually think my ADF tank has cycled, or at least I hope it has. I only have one -- Froggle, with an oto in there, but Froggle seems to be doing fine. *doing various superstitious signs including knocking on wood, crossing my fingers, etc. in hopes I haven't jinxed him.*

Go ahead with it Jk...if you can cycle a tank starting with hamburger meat...I see no reason why frog poops won't work!! <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Good point EMG! And frogs are, IMHO, far more interesting to watch than hamburger meat.... <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Good point EMG! And frogs are, IMHO, far more interesting to watch than hamburger meat.... <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Whoah... I've seen this discussed elsewhere... and I haven't heard of a single frog surviving cycling...

"I would use fishless cycling so that the fish don't need to suffer.

Add 5 drops of ammonia (pure ammonia; the kind that doesn't fizz and bubble when you shake it) every day (this should be equal to 5ppm of ammonia in that size tank) until you see nitrites spike. You should test your water parameters (ammonia & nitrite) every day until you see nitrites spike. Once they have, reduce the amount of ammonia added each day to 3 drops. Test ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate every day. You should see ammonia and nitrite gradually decreasing, and nitrate increasing. Once you have no ammonia and nitrite levels in your tank, and your nitrate levels measure 40ppm or less, the tank is fully cycled. Do a 50% water change to reduce the amount of nitrates, and then you can add fish. smile.gif


Edit: This cycling process should take around 2 weeks (it's generally faster than cycling with fish). You can speed it up by adding gravel or a filter from an established tank.

The problem with cycling with only one fish is that the bacteria establishes itself for that small bioload, and when you want to add more fish, the tank can go into a mini-cycle as it tries to adjust to the heavier bioload."

Cutechic - http://www.fishboard.net/index.php?showtopic=1822

Good advice HV ! Thanks for the info! You're right, cycling can be hard on the fish and if you can do it without putting them through that...it's a good thing.. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

When I start up a new tank, I usually take a filter bag from an established tank and put it in the new one...as long as the filter isn't at the point where it needs to be tossed. Or if I'm using a sponge filter I put it in an established tank and let it run for a week or two. I still add fish slowly and carefully though...can't hurt. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I decided not to cycle with an ADF.

I got a 10 gallon aquarium over the weekend!!! Yay!!! My first! Got the $40 package special from Petcetera.

I decided to cycle with two common goldfish. Although I do want to go tropical, I decided on the goldfish to start with. Besides, a coworker of mine has a lovely goldfish pond in her backyard, so they can go to a good home after they've done their "pioneering" in my aquarium.