cycling a new tank with no fish

Question
Hi, can I cycle a tank with no fish in it at all? Or do I need some biological waste products to get the right bacteria going. Sorry if it's yucky but would a few drops of human urine do the trick?

Answer
Hi Jim
Haha :)  Don't worry, don't think it's a yucky question :)  I actually remember reading something years ago, I think someone was asking the same thing, if they could just "go in the tank" to start the cycle.  You're better off using either pure ammonia-which is rather hard to find now a days, or the shrimp method.  I can't remember what the outcome was of the previous question I had seen, but I don't think it was recommended to do.  But yes you can do a fishless cycle-with no fish in it.  But you do need an ammonia source for the bacteria to start growing.

Using pure ammonia, like I said, if you can find it, is fine, but you have to add the right dosages and to me was a pain in the butt.  

I would try the shrimp method, get yourself a few cocktail shrimps-depending on the size of the tank, put them in either a mesh filter media bag(can buy at the pet store near the filter media section), or a pair of pantyhose/nylons with the leg cut off.  Knot it closed, and toss it in the tank to rot.  That would be your constant ammonia source for the bacteria to start growing.  Don't do any water changes, just top off with dechlorinated water as it evaporates.  Then just monitor the ammonia and nitrite levels closely, and when they're at 0 ppm, and there's nitrates present, it's done cycling.  
Remove the shrimp, do a water change to get your nitrates down under 20 ppm, and add your fish soon after to keep the constant ammonia source in the tank for the bacteria to survive.  And, that's it really.

Hope that helps and good luck!  Let me know if you have more questions.

Christy