so is keeping a fish in a glass box.



I use zebra danios for starter fish, 1 because they are very hearty fish and alot are bred for this (why they recommend the smaller zebras) and 2 because the ammonia will not rise to a deadly level with up to 4 zebra danios in a 10g.

They are not heavy bio load and will not die or be abused in these situations.

I am very skeptical of artificial cycling and I personally dont know anyone in my clubs and friends that use this method. Its inconsistent and takes alot longer to cycle.

Id drain it, start over with some danios and some gravel or sponges from a friend or LFS.

Thats my opinion on the matter.

Edit- addition


As cledus stated, use some hearty low light low tech plants and my go to 4 danios per 10g zebra danios, not glo-fish but just zebra danios(long or regular fin doesnt matter) set it up, let the tank gas off for 24 hours(run the tank without a hood basically. then add the plants, let it go for a few days then add the fish and forget it for 4-6 weeks, I mean keep and eye on the fish and if you want to drop test your water weekly. If you touch it and mess with it the tank will not stabilize correctly and the environment it is making will be incomplete for a long while if not forever until it gets torn down. Ive been through it, lost some nice fish to it but started over and did it the way we used to do it and the tank is running great. Its just the way I do things and always will, it was the only method for years and years and years and never failed and still never fails.