Soothing Shrimp Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 That's a neat idea. I'd not heard that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
octanejunkie Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 Or you can put a stocking with fish food in it. That will leech a ton of ammonia and foul the water as it breaks down and decays. I'd rather sprinkle some flake into the tank 2-3 times a week, but my first preference are labyrinth fish like platys or gourami to aide in keeping a tank cycled, or cycling one. Sent while on the go... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danielt Posted March 4, 2014 Report Share Posted March 4, 2014 Ramshorn is the answer and some plants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted March 4, 2014 Report Share Posted March 4, 2014 Lots of people cycle with snails, that's for sure. Make sure you don't mind them though, since once in an invert tank- you won't ever get them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danielt Posted March 4, 2014 Report Share Posted March 4, 2014 That's why i advised for ramshorn snails. They don't eat plants like the apple snail does, they reproduce and also grow to a size that makes them easy to fish out if they overwhelm the tank. I had a huge problem with common snails like physa. Since they so tiny and had to resort to assassin snails to bring their population down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted March 4, 2014 Report Share Posted March 4, 2014 Ramshorns are easy to fish out, but you'll never find all the eggs, so you will always have ramshorns. Until breaking down the tank. I used to use mystery snails to cycle since they will not reproduce readily, and if they do you can remove the eggs above the water line. You also have the added benefit of larger waste. However, even after saying that, different strokes for different folks. If one likes the use of fish, use them for continual cycling. If one likes snails or alternative methods, you can use them as well. As long as the tank is ready when you are, you are good to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc4PC2 Posted March 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2014 Yeah, I appreciate the thinking, but I probably won't use snails for cycling or even algae cleaning, it just seems like when you get them, you have them for life. I'll just stick to a couple of ottos for cycling as ottos are the only proven fish that will leave shrimp alone and they do not scare or stress the shrimp. I like the debate though. I wonder how everyone feels about Reverse Flow Under Gravel Filters, or even for a Plenum? Should you use the charcoal filter that you attach to the end of each UGF? or put a reverse flow power head on one side, and cap the other side and leave off the charcoal filter? Or should you just cap the tops, leave off the Charcoal Filter, with no air flow, no power head, and just use the UGF as a Plenum? Curious to see how everyone feels. (I'll post it in a new topic) Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danielt Posted March 5, 2014 Report Share Posted March 5, 2014 I was about to suggest the same This needs a separate thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc4PC2 Posted March 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2014 Yep, I made one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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