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New 20 gallon Freshwater Set Up

23 16:44:04

Question
I am about to set up a new 20 gallon freshwater aquarium to house 1 betta.  I really would like to cycle the water quickly and was wondering if you had any opinions on whether or not Bio-Spira or Stress Zyme would be the safest and quickest product?  If you have any advice for me, it will be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Bio-Spira if cold, is a great cycle starter.  If you get it, add 1/2 the first day, and the other 1/2 the 3rd or 4th day.  Stress Zyme does not work, and can actually harm the aquarium.  The best way to cycle a tank is the take filter squeezings from a healthy, already established tank, and pour it into your filter.  You can take squeezings every 3 or 4 days without hurting your other tank.  I did this with my 55 gallon by squeezing filters from my 10 gallon, and I was able to add 6 fish at once without getting any ammonia or nitrite spikes.  Then I slowly added more fish...each time squeezing the filters over the tank.