new tank with

Question
QUESTION: I have a new 10 gallon hexagonal tank that I am doing the initial cycling with.  I started with 3 fish that my local small aquarium store called snow tetras.  On the 4th day, I found them all at the bottom of the tank on their sides. They were alive, but not swimming. I removed them from tank and put them in a small cup with some of the tank water.  By the evening, they were very active again.  I put some "ammo lock" by API into the tank, thinking that maybe there was too much ammonia in the water, then put the fish back in.  The next morning two of the fish appeared to be fine, but the other one is MISSING.  I've looked everywhere in the tank, removed all the decorations, taken apart the filter/pump.  He isn't there. Could the other two have eaten him?

ANSWER: Leslie,
I am not a believer in cycling the tank with fish in it. As for the fish disappearing believe it or not it happens. Sometimes we never find them. Fish will eat dead fish so that could have been what happened. Make sure you are doing the water changes with the fish in the a tank that is not cycled or you will lose them too. Sometimes the fish will reappear which is also normal. Good luck and if you have any other question(s) don't hesitate to ask.

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QUESTION: How do you cycle the tank without fish?  I thought the fish were needed to create the ammonia to spur the bacterial growth etc. to get the system working.  I'd be happy to get to a stable state without having to put fish through the stress if I knew how...

Answer
Leslie,
You set up the tank just as you would if you were going to add the fish. Gravel, heater, if tropical, filter and decorations. Then you turn everything on. Set the heater to 80 degrees. Then all you have to do it feed the tank with fish food. The decaying food will release ammonia, and this starts the cycle process.You are trying to establish a beneficial bacteria. During the first week of so, the bad bacteria develops. This is the bacteria that will make the fish ill and they can die. Once that bacteria is gone the beneficial bacteria sets in. The fish need this bacteria to stay healthy. During the cycle process you will be testing the water for ammonia and nitrite. When you start to test, you will have high levels of ammonia and nitrites. A tank has cycled if ammonia and nitrites are back at zero ppm. This takes two to four weeks sometimes longer. At this time, you can add the fish two at a time. Wait at least two weeks before adding two more fish and keep doing it that way until the tank is stocked. If no fish are introduced, the bacteria will need to be fed by continuing with the addition of fish food. I hope this has helped. If you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask.