Hello everyone, in a few days I will be buying a used 20 gallon tank with a stand. I know I need to cycle it, I just wanted to see if anyone had some general rules they follow when cleaning a used tank/cycling it.

I would appreciate any help, I'm trying to move my fish out of their overcrowded 10 gallon.Thank you.

Also I bought some narrow leaf java fern that should be arriving soon, when should I be putting that in?

Google "silent cycle" and try and invest in a few more plants. :3

I think it's the best method, look up some of the beaslbob methods on this forum too since he relies mostly on silent cycling.

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Good morning wobbles...

Cleaning is the simple part, just warm tap water poured into the tank and add a couple of tablespoons of standard aquarium salt and scrub the inside with a soft sponge. Rinse with warm tap water.

I've always cycled without fish and here's what I do:
Set up the tank including light, power filter, heater, air pump and air stone.
Put in a couple of inches of pea gravel substrate.
Fill the tank and plant it well.
Plug everything in and let it all run for 30 days.
After a month, move a few of your fish to the new tank. Add a few fish every couple of weeks or so and you're done.

Really pretty simple too.

B

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Low Tech Water Building Keeper

If your 20G tank has been dry, just wash it out. Put in some gravel and add your Java Fern (a very tough plant) and some floating plants. Install your filter and heater. Wait a few hours or a day and add a couple of tough fish. My favorite fishes for cycling are Female Bettas (>75F), White Mountain Clouds (<75F), Neon Tetras (ph < 7.0) and Guppies (ph>7.0). Your cycling should be complete in 4 to 6 weeks. Add a couple of new fish in 3 weeks if all goes well. If you like snails, add a Mystery Snail at this time. Change your filter medium every two weeks during cycling. I don't recommend changing water during cycling, it takes food away from the Bacteria poulation you are trying to generate.

One thing I would advise - don't hold back cost-wise when building the setup (especially the substrate), and plan long-term (i.e. plan for expansion, upgrades in hardware, etc.). The reason I say this is because I don't know a single person that, once they have a fully established tank, wants to tear it back down for something like the incorporation of live plants, a canister filter and/or sump, or a pressurized CO2 system and powerful/efficient light.

Also, I strongly advise doing a fishless/silent cycle, as mentioned above. Much less worrisome because you're not gambling with the life and well-being of a living critter.

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Officially fishless until after the move....tune in later for details!